The Czech Republic has been pursuing a more relaxed cannabis policy for some time. In early June, the lower house of parliament approved a draft law amounting to partial legalisation. The Senate followed suit at the start of July, meaning cannabis will be fully decriminalised from 1 January next year.
The proposal to decriminalise cannabis use for adults over the age of 21 was backed by 47 of the 62 senators present. From the start of 2026, adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants, carry up to 25 grams in public, and possess up to 100 grams in private spaces. Overall, the Czech approach to decriminalisation is similar to Germany’s Cannabis Act, which is set to be reviewed again by lawmakers in autumn and spring 2026.
Although earlier versions of the Czech law included plans for cannabis social clubs and even specialised retail outlets, these more ambitious projects now appear to be on hold, at least for the time being. Nevertheless, the upcoming changes to the penal code represent one of the most liberal cannabis policies anywhere in Europe.
Alongside these policy changes, the Czech Republic also plans to reform its approach to medical psilocybin. In future, the well-known active ingredient in magic mushrooms is expected to be approved for therapeutic use, marking a first in Europe when it comes to medical access.
Since 1 April, its medical framework has expanded to include patients suffering from severe pain in the Czech Republic. Yet despite legislative changes allowing large-scale cannabis cultivation for medical use for more than three years, very little of the harvest remains in the country.
According to the Czech Ministry of Health, the total 2024 harvest amounted to just over 4,660 kilograms. However, only around 200 kilograms — all from the company Lagom Pharmatech — ended up in Czech pharmacies. Lagom, which operates six indoor cultivation sites, is said to produce over four tonnes of dried flower per year, making it the country’s largest medical cannabis producer.
The majority of its production is exported to Germany, according to the company. Lagom currently employs 65 people from the town of Osek and surrounding areas, illustrating once again how a legal cannabis sector can create stable, local employment. Speaking to Radio Prague International, Marcela Orcigová, a former kindergarten teacher now working in cultivation, said she greatly enjoys the process of growing the plants.
According to Tomáš Boráň, director of the Czech State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL), ten producers currently hold licences to grow medical cannabis. However, the amount of processed product sold domestically remains limited: just 263 kilograms were dispensed through Czech pharmacies in 2024.
Boráň confirmed that there are no limits placed on the volume of intermediate cannabis products that can be produced, but many companies are not targeting the Czech market at all. Tomáš Kubálek, chairman of the Association of Breeders of Medicinal Hemp Plants, said producers are instead focused on exporting to Germany.
Stanislav Havlíček, a board member of the Czech Medical Chamber, pointed to regulatory factors. He noted that German pharmacies dispense roughly 34 times more medical cannabis per capita than those in the Czech Republic. In Austria and Germany, he explained, cannabis use has been decriminalised to some extent, and patients typically pay for treatment themselves — resulting in consistent year-on-year growth in sales.
By contrast, patients in the Czech Republic can only access medical cannabis with a prescription, although health insurance does cover the cost, which averages around €8 per gram.
When decriminalisation takes effect next year, several processes in the Czech Republic are likely to change. But it’s almost certain that, in addition to patients and consumers, it will primarily be suppliers of horticultural products — such as lamps, measuring instruments, and grow tents — who will benefit, as has been the case in Germany.
As the saying goes during a gold rush: the ones who profit most are often those selling the shovels.
The post Czech Republic to Decriminalise Cannabis from 2026 — But Medical Exports Already Booming appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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The proposal to decriminalise cannabis use for adults over the age of 21 was backed by 47 of the 62 senators present. From the start of 2026, adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants, carry up to 25 grams in public, and possess up to 100 grams in private spaces. Overall, the Czech approach to decriminalisation is similar to Germany’s Cannabis Act, which is set to be reviewed again by lawmakers in autumn and spring 2026.
Although earlier versions of the Czech law included plans for cannabis social clubs and even specialised retail outlets, these more ambitious projects now appear to be on hold, at least for the time being. Nevertheless, the upcoming changes to the penal code represent one of the most liberal cannabis policies anywhere in Europe.
Alongside these policy changes, the Czech Republic also plans to reform its approach to medical psilocybin. In future, the well-known active ingredient in magic mushrooms is expected to be approved for therapeutic use, marking a first in Europe when it comes to medical access.
Medical Cannabis in the Czech Republic
Since 1 April, its medical framework has expanded to include patients suffering from severe pain in the Czech Republic. Yet despite legislative changes allowing large-scale cannabis cultivation for medical use for more than three years, very little of the harvest remains in the country.
According to the Czech Ministry of Health, the total 2024 harvest amounted to just over 4,660 kilograms. However, only around 200 kilograms — all from the company Lagom Pharmatech — ended up in Czech pharmacies. Lagom, which operates six indoor cultivation sites, is said to produce over four tonnes of dried flower per year, making it the country’s largest medical cannabis producer.
The majority of its production is exported to Germany, according to the company. Lagom currently employs 65 people from the town of Osek and surrounding areas, illustrating once again how a legal cannabis sector can create stable, local employment. Speaking to Radio Prague International, Marcela Orcigová, a former kindergarten teacher now working in cultivation, said she greatly enjoys the process of growing the plants.
Germany Seen as a More Attractive Market
According to Tomáš Boráň, director of the Czech State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL), ten producers currently hold licences to grow medical cannabis. However, the amount of processed product sold domestically remains limited: just 263 kilograms were dispensed through Czech pharmacies in 2024.
Boráň confirmed that there are no limits placed on the volume of intermediate cannabis products that can be produced, but many companies are not targeting the Czech market at all. Tomáš Kubálek, chairman of the Association of Breeders of Medicinal Hemp Plants, said producers are instead focused on exporting to Germany.
Stanislav Havlíček, a board member of the Czech Medical Chamber, pointed to regulatory factors. He noted that German pharmacies dispense roughly 34 times more medical cannabis per capita than those in the Czech Republic. In Austria and Germany, he explained, cannabis use has been decriminalised to some extent, and patients typically pay for treatment themselves — resulting in consistent year-on-year growth in sales.
By contrast, patients in the Czech Republic can only access medical cannabis with a prescription, although health insurance does cover the cost, which averages around €8 per gram.
Suppliers Likely to Benefit from Decriminalisation
When decriminalisation takes effect next year, several processes in the Czech Republic are likely to change. But it’s almost certain that, in addition to patients and consumers, it will primarily be suppliers of horticultural products — such as lamps, measuring instruments, and grow tents — who will benefit, as has been the case in Germany.
As the saying goes during a gold rush: the ones who profit most are often those selling the shovels.
The post Czech Republic to Decriminalise Cannabis from 2026 — But Medical Exports Already Booming appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
Continue reading...
