The news in Czech
Česká republika plánuje nová pravidla pro prodej kratomu a konopí s nízkým obsahem THC (pod jedno procento). Od 1. července 2025 budou tyto produkty prodávány v specializovaných obchodech s přísnými pravidly. Pro děti a mladistvé bude prodej zakázán. Online prodej bude možný, ale musí být spojen s kamenným obchodem.
Translation
The Czech Republic is planning new regulations for the sale of kratom and low-THC cannabis (under one percent). From July 1, 2025, these products will be sold in specialised shops with strict rules. Sales to children and adolescents will be prohibited. Online sales will be allowed but must be linked to a physical shop.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: When will the new rules for selling kratom and low-THC cannabis in the Czech Republic start?
The new rules will start on July 1, 2025.
Question 2: Who will be prohibited from buying kratom and low-THC cannabis under the new rules?
Children and minors will be prohibited from buying these products.
Exercise: Vocabulary
pravidlo(n.) - rule
prodej(m.) - sale
spojit - connect
nízký - low
specializovaný - specialised
kamenný - brick and mortar
Read the full story
▌08/01/2025
The Czech Republic is moving towards implementing a regulated framework for the sale of kratom and cannabis products with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content below one percent. The government's proposal outlines that as of 1 July 2025, these substances could be legally distributed under strict conditions, targeting a market that excludes minors.
The Ministry of Health, led by Vlastimil Válek, has acknowledged a delay in preparing the necessary regulations that would support this legal shift. Currently, these products can be accessed by individuals under 18 years of age due to the absence of specific administrative guidelines. This regulatory gap contrasts with the intendment of a law enacted at the beginning of 2025, which aimed to restrict sales to designated outlets catering only to adults.
Under the proposed system, kratom and low-THC cannabis would be available through specialised shops. Online sales would be permissible only if an associated brick-and-mortar store exists and sales via vending machines would be prohibited. Furthermore, vendors would be required to provide purchasers with detailed information concerning product compositions and recommended dosages.
Czech Republic to Regulate Kratom and Low-THC Cannabis Sales (Illustration)
Complicating the regulatory environment is the status of cannabinoid HHC and its derivatives, which, despite being reconsidered for legality, were omitted from the initial list of approved substances. With technological notifications from the European Commission still pending as of early 2025, there is broad anticipation for the formalisation of these regulations by mid-year.
Minister Válek has iterated the need for a centralised list of psychoactive substances subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation in determining their permissible usage. This approach seeks to balance public health considerations with social impacts.
The government's collaborative effort with the State Health Institute reflects a comprehensive strategy to align the market introduction of kratom and low-THC cannabis with principles intended to mitigate risks while enabling controlled access. As further legislative and technical processes unfold, stakeholders remain observant of the evolving landscape of substance regulation in the Czech Republic.
Info: 'Czech Learner News' is a service from 'Let's Learn Czech', a language school that caters to those looking to master Czech efficiently. Our online courses are designed with varied formats to suit different learning preferences, providing innovative ways on how to learn Czech fast.
