How the Czech Republic is getting cannabis reform right

With all eyes on the Czech Republic as we wait for the first European country to legalise adult-use cannabis, we take a look at some of the recent changes putting the country at the forefront of reform.

The Czech Republic seemingly came out of nowhere to become a frontrunner in the race to be the first European country to legalise adult-use cannabis.

In the last few years a number of reforms have seen the country move towards more progressive cannabis policies. These include major developments across the medicinal cannabis, industrial hemp and CBD sectors. 

So much so, that some brands are looking at the country as a land of opportunity – more so than elsewhere in Europe.

This is the view of Hemp Point founder, Tomas Biroscik, who cultivates quality hemp grown in the country to manufacture his range of whole-plant products. 

With his business being predominantly based in the UK until now, Tomas has seen first-hand how the stringent regulations here and elsewhere in Europe are holding back many CBD companies. 

With some estimates suggesting that more than 550,000 Czechs grow cannabis at home for personal use (5% of the population), Tomas is now expanding the business to tap into this growing market. 

Moves towards adult-use legalisation 

The Czech Republic already has some of the most progressive cannabis laws in Europe. Medicinal cannabis has been legal in the country since 2013, and since April 2014 possession of ‘the amount greater than small’ up to 10g of marijuana, growing up to five plants as well as 1g of THC extract for personal use, has been decriminalised. However, consumers risk penalties of up to €600 in fines.

In September 2022, national drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil announced his plans to deliver full reform and introduce a regulated adult-use market by early 2024.

Draft proposals currently being prepared are expected to include rules around taxation, legal cultivation, sales and exports, as well as the functioning of cannabis clubs.

Introducing a 1% THC limit

In January 2022, Czechia became the first country in the European Union to raise the permitted limit of THC in hemp products from 0.3% to 1%. In the UK the amount of THC in cultivated hemp must not exceed 0.2%.

Full-spectrum cannabis products that contain up to 1% THC also contain much more CBD – without needing to add it in isolate form – and boast a richer terpene profile, contributing to the ‘entourage effect’ (the theory that the plant as a whole is more efficacious than any of its parts individually). 

As well as enabling producers to develop better quality products, it also means they don’t need to worry about the THC levels in their crop increasing due to external circumstances such as weather, giving them a competitive advantage all-round.

“This legislative change has meant a huge change in research and development, particularly in developing new products and going further with new cannabinoids,” said Tomas.

“When you can cultivate cannabis containing up to 1% THC you also get an incredible terpene profile.

“Everyone talks about THC, but I want to talk about cannabis as a whole, which is why I love the way that the Czech Republic is approaching this.”

A different approach to Novel Foods?

In the UK the Food Standards Agency recently brought in new regulations, also adopted by the European Union, categorising CBD products as ‘novel foods’.

Novel Foods is an established regulatory status which puts the onus on businesses to demonstrate safety and quality in order to remain on shelves. This means companies have to apply for Novel Food validation to be legally permitted to sell their products to consumers. 

Many businesses have found the process lengthy and costly, with some arguing that it favours isolate-based products and forces smaller brands out of the market. 

The raising of the 1% THC limit signified Czechia’s first move away from novel foods. Regulators are thought to be leaning towards a different framework for companies which wish to sell cannabis-based products. 

This is welcome news to Tomas, who believes in ensuring that people are fully informed about the products they are consuming, but ultimately letting them make their own choices, as is the case with alcohol and tobacco. 

“CBD is not a food supplement, we need to be up front about that. I don’t think cannabis is a novel food. For me, it is a controlled substance and a controlled substance needs to be regulated,” he said.

“By legalising a substance you can create a framework which not only regulates it, but also informs and explains. As a consumer, I would be more willing to try products that I know are regulated, within safe limits and which I’m not going to be punished for using.”

And there are also benefits for business too.

He added: “For a company, this approach basically means less bureaucracy and less strain on resources to complete the necessary paperwork, such as novel food applications. But it also means being able to produce a better quality final product.”

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