A Missed Cannabis Reform Opportunity In The Czech Republic

Being able to cultivate cannabis legally is a right that a growing number of adults in various parts of the globe are being afforded. With that being said, cultivating a personal amount of cannabis is still prohibited throughout a vast majority of the world.

The cannabis plant has grown all over the world for many centuries, and humans have benefitted from its wellness properties, so it is odd that its cultivation would be prohibited.

Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that laws still have to be reformed all over the planet, including in the Czech Republic where a home-grow proposal was recently voted down by the Chamber of Deputies. Per BRNO Daily:

In a vote on January 26th, the Chamber of Deputies rejected a proposal to loosen cannabis laws in the Czech Republic, put forward by 40 deputies from six different parties. The bill was strongly supported by the Pirate Party, but was eventually rejected by 55 of the 89 deputies present.

Under current Czech law, cultivating up to five plants for personal use is decriminalised, but is still a civil offence punishable by a fine. The proposal would have allowed citizens to keep five cannabis plants or 1.25 kilograms of dry cannabis legally, provided it was for personal use. Allowing others access to this personal supply would have been subject to a fine of up to CZK 15,000, though up to 30 grams could be given to others free of charge.

The current cannabis cultivation law is better in the Czech Republic compared to other countries, like in Japan where cultivation can carry a penalty of 7 years in prison.

However, that’s not to say that the law can’t be improved upon. The goal of the measure according to proponents was to diminish the unregulated cannabis market in the country, and allowing home cultivation would certainly help.