Czech Doctors Prescribed 318.7 Kilograms Of Medicinal Cannabis In 2024
According to data from Czechia’s State Institute for Drug Control and as reported locally by BRNO Daily, doctors in the Czech Republic prescribed 318.7 kilograms of medicinal cannabis in 2024 to an average of roughly 3,300 patients per month. Those figures are set to expand in April 2025 when Czech GPs will be permitted to prescribe cannabis for chronic pain.
“GPs will now be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis for chronic pain, and patients can also be prescribed up to a three-month dose per prescription, according to changes to the relevant legislation which will come into force in April this year.” BRNO Daily stated in its reporting.
For context, in 2023 Czech doctors prescribed 258.8 kilograms of medical cannabis, 157.4 kilograms in 2022, and 109.4 kilograms in 2021. Additionally, the Czech Republic’s legal medical cannabis industry served an average of 2,570 patients in 2023, in 2022 it was 1,886, and in 2021 it was 1,389.
The Czech Republic’s medical cannabis expansion occurring later this year comes amidst a push for wider cannabis policy reform in the European nation. In November 2024, the Czech Republic’s cabinet approved a plan that would permit adults to cultivate multiple plants in their private residences and possess a personal amount of cannabis.
The plan, which would legalize the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants and set a maximum possession limit of 50 grams of cannabis, was originally introduced by the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice back in September 2024. The plan does not go far enough according to members of the Czech Pirate Party.
“Instead of legalization and money in the budget, today the government presents pasquil. You can grow cannabis, but you can’t harvest it. To be able to grow three cannabis plants and at the same time have a limit of 50 grams that you can have at home is absurd. It’s like you could raise three hens, but they could lay a maximum of one egg, otherwise you’ll be fined or go to jail,” said former Deputy Prime Minister and former head of the Pirates Ivan Bartoš according to previous reporting by Echo24.
Cannabis advocates in Czechia are urging lawmakers to modernize the nation’s cannabis policies in a more comprehensive fashion. More information about their proposal can be found at: www.racionalniregulace.cz.
Starting in July of this year, the Czech Republic will regulate sales of cannabis containing up to one percent THC. The public policy change will also involve permitting regulated sales of kratom.
“The regulation focuses on substances deemed to pose low public health and social risks based on current scientific evidence. These include Kratom and kratom extracts, known for their stimulant and pain-relieving effects; cannabis with up to 1 percent THC, a low-potency form of cannabis with minimal psychoactive effects.” reported Expats CZ in its local coverage.
“Cannabis extracts and tinctures with up to 1 percent THC are also included.” Expats CZ also reported. Low-THC cannabis products will be permitted to be sold in licensed stores starting this summer in Czechia, although certain forms of commerce such as automated vending machines will remain prohibited.
