Import Medical Cannabis to Czech Republic
How to Import Medicinal Cannabis to Czech Republic
- Last Update: May 2023
- By: WeGROW Team
When it comes to medical cannabis adoption, the Czech Republic is among the most liberal nations in Europe, if not the entire world. And even though this has been the case for more than ten years, the Central European country continues to lead the way in the region with its liberal cannabis approach to establish import of medical cannabis products to Czech Republic.
On the one hand, the state is permissive of drug possession, and it is no longer viewed as a crime as of the 1990s. Hard drug-related deaths are also less common in the Czech Republic than in other countries, where 15% of the population reportedly uses cannabis in some form or another, according to polls. This is one of the highest drug use rates in the entire world, not just in Europe.
The Czech Republic passed the non incrimination act (Coll 467/2009) in 2010 as a result of research showing that its drug criminal justice policy boosted drug usage.
Because of this regulation, the Czech Republic joins the list of European nations that do not prosecute people for possessing small amounts of marijuana, along with Latvia, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain, and other states.
The possession of small quantities of any substance is legal in the Czech Republic, including up to 15 grams of marijuana and 5 grams of hashish. The possession of any quantity greater than that is illegal, as is the possession of any cannabis-derived substance with an active component content of more than 0.3%. The legal limit for marijuana’s active ingredient was reduced by the Czech Supreme Court to 10 grams.
On the other hand, 43% of drug-related crimes in the Czech Republic include cannabis, and drug sales and purchases are still punishable by law. The police issue tickets for drug sales and frequently conduct raids on known Cannabis trafficking locations. Without the explicit and formal permission of the owners, smoking is completely prohibited in public places (cafés, bars, restaurants, etc.), and smoking is not authorized in any public parks. Even body searches may happen when smoking in public.
Small amounts of cannabis are not punishable, but larger amounts, depending on the variety, may result in prison terms. For example, growing more than five cannabis plants may result in prison terms ranging from half a year to five years, according to clause 285 of the Czech criminal justice code (Act No. 40/2009). Cannabis plants that are being cured are regarded as marijuana and their possession carries a prison term of one year to 10 years, depending on the quantity, under the provisions of the marijuana production offense (clause 283). Large amounts of cured cannabis are deemed a narcotic, and possessing it can result in a term of up to 8 years in prison.
Czech Economic Benefits of Medical Cannabis
It should be mentioned that since 2013, medical cannabis has been permitted in the Czech Republic, however only for those over 18 and as a treatment for the following conditions: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and HIV. The majority of medical insurance providers in the Czech Republic do not cover treatment with medicinal marijuana because it is a pricey good. Only one business has been given permission to cultivate medical marijuana so far, and that marijuana is only appropriate for treating multiple sclerosis. In addition, in the first year since the law’s introduction, just one company in the Czech Republic has been authorized to import medical marijuana from the Netherlands.
In fact, as of right now, the wealthy in the Czech Republic are the only ones who can afford to use imported medical cannabis, leaving the majority of patients without access to any available treatments. The worldwide research center for medicinal cannabis started growing medical marijuana as a remedy to this issue, but there have also been discussions about other options including importing medical marijuana from Israel. The Czech Republic has yet to receive permission from the Israeli Ministry of Health to import medicinal cannabis.
A research from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) indicates that 23% of Czechs between the ages of 15 and 34 had at least once tried cannabis. Among the 24 member states of the European Union, this is first. The percentage is comparable to that in the US.
Additionally, according to the same source, 79 million EU residents between the ages of 15 and 64 are estimated to have tried marijuana. Fascinatingly, in 2021, 5% of Czechs between the ages of 15 and 34 used hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Cannabis will be sold in authorized pharmacies and licensed dispensaries after it is legalized, according to Voboil, who spoke to a local media site. When cannabis is hoped to be legalized in 2024, the government intends to leave it up to Czech towns to decide whether to allow or prohibit establishments selling the drug.
In conclusion, many people believe that the Czech Republic has a liberal drug policy, particularly with relation to cannabis. The demand for medicinal cannabis in the Czech Republic, however, is greater than the supply, and the industry is still developing.
CBD products in Czech Republic
Cannabis with a THC content of no more than 1% may be used for commercial, technical, and recreational activities, including sales, full report here. Industrial cannabis must be grown on more than 100 m2 of land, and this must be reported to the appropriate customs department. An administrative punishment of up to CZK 1,000,000 (about EUR 40,800) may be imposed for failure to comply with the legal requirement to inform when industrial cannabis is being grown on more than 100 m2.
In the Czech Republic, the laws governing the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in various products are not uniform, and this field is now undergoing rapid change. A fundamental requirement for food supplements is that they don’t include any psychoactive or addictive substances, such tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In the Czech Republic, there is no tolerance for THC in dietary supplements.
CBD is regarded as a so-called “novel food” under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 25, 2015, and prior to its placement on the market, an authorization is necessary.
However, according to the Czech State Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority, CBD-containing products made from hemp leaves or seeds are not classed as “novel foods.” On the other hand, as synthetic cannabinoids are deemed “novel foods,” their sale would need to be authorized in accordance with the aforementioned Regulation. It’s important to distinguish between herbal cigarettes (smoke) and e-cigarettes (and liquid fills / cartridges) while talking about CBD smokes. It is currently illegal to utilize CBD in e-cigarettes in any way. On the other hand, it is legal to utilize CBD in herbal cigarettes. Naturally, there cannot be any THC.
Regardless of the THC content in the original cannabis plant, it is illegal to produce any CBD products for oral consumption that are made from either the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant.
Czech law simply stipulates that cosmetics cannot include any THC when it comes to CBD products. THC-free CBD cosmetics are therefore allowed under the law. There are arguments going on right now about how closely this strategy complies with WHO and European Commission recommendations.
Medical Cannabis in Czech Republic
It is legal to grow cannabis for medical purposes if you have both a permit to dispose of addictive substances and cannabis-related goods and a license to cultivate cannabis plants. The State Institute for Drug Control issues the license, which has a five-year maximum validity duration but may be extended (the license holder must submit a request for extension at least six months before it expires). Similar to a license, the permit is granted by the Ministry of Health for a maximum of five years and may be extended (a request for extension must be made six weeks before the expiration of the permission).
Only those who have been granted permission by the Ministry of Health may purchase cannabis grown in the Czech Republic for medical purposes, and the same restriction applies to the transfer of other rights pertaining to addictive substances.
In the Czech Republic, about 200 doctors recommended medical marijuana to about 4,400 individuals. The amount represented a significant increase from the 450 patients who were prescribed medical marijuana in 2018. In the Czech Republic, medical marijuana costs have also been up to 90% reimbursed by health insurance firms.
Patients who qualify for medical marijuana can receive up to 30 grams per month, and up to 180 grams for more severe diseases. Patients who suffer from chronic pain, nausea, and mental health issues are prescribed medical marijuana.
The legal THC concentration of technical cannabis and goods derived from it was tripled when the Czech government loosened its medical marijuana laws in January 2022. The treatments reportedly assisted in the condition’s improvement, the Czech News Agency reported of patients in 69% of the cases studied.
Status of Importing Medical Cannabis Products into Czech Republic
A Ministry of Health import permission is necessary to bring cannabis into the country for medical purposes. A three-month maximum is the length of the permission. Each every import is subject to a separate permit.
Only patients who are 18 years of age or older with electronic prescriptions from medical practitioners are eligible to consume cannabis for medical purposes, and only for particular symptoms like chronic, unbearable pain or nausea associated with the treatment of HIV disease. Each person may possess no more than 180g of dry cannabis in total per month.
Public health insurance only pays 90% of the cost of cannabis for the end user up to a maximum of 30g of medicinal cannabis per person per month or up to 180g per month if the patient’s health condition needs it with regard to the use of cannabis in ambulant care.
Administrative fines of up to CZK 10,000,000 (about EUR 408,000) may be assessed for violations of the law.
Since 2020 it is regulated to Import Medical Cannabis to Czech Republic in bulk orders.
Czech EU-GMP certification
A Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP“) certificate is required in accordance with the rules governing medicinal products in the European Union (“EU”) and to be able to import bulk cannabis to Czech Republic also. The EU GMP certification is acknowledged by the Czech regulator.
EU-GMP standards for pharmaceuticals are among the most rigorous in the world, demanding the highest levels of quality assurance and product consistency. Usually following a pre-audit review by a local compliance Auditor. A comprehensive inspection is conducted over a 4-day period by government officials from the responsible agency on-site.
Medical Cannabis like other medicines must have a clearly defined composition. This means the cannabinoid and terpene content is consistent from one batch to another.
Such consistency is important for:
- Doctors and their patients – to assure dosage composition and repeatability
- Researchers – to compare findings from clinical trials and studies across time
- Industry – to access GMP-certified active pharmaceutical ingredient, and therefore guarantee seamless GMP manufacturing
Benefits of Importing from WeGROW
Pricing: Medical cannabis is still far too unaccessible and expensive, especially for out-of-pocket patients. Yet high quality cannabis can be grown very cheaply in many parts of the world like in Africa. We are bringing it to Czech Republic. We guarantee highest quality through our production process and pass on the price advantages to patients through low production costs and high volumes.
Branding: WeGROW operates as a trusted long-term production partner offering white or private label services for the importer to build their brand in the markets they operate.
Market Fit: WeGROW fullfils the strict Swiss and European quality standards for medicinal cannabis. As a result, patients receive cannabis flowers as high-quality medicinal products that meet all regulatory requirements according to the EU-GMP standard.
Logistics: Sending cannabis around the world is not that easy. In close coordination with WeGROW’s processing partners, they coordinate the obtaining of import and export permits and advise them on all issues that may arise – from the correct transport packaging to the choice of the logistics company. Once arrived in Czech Republic, the cannabis gets prepared for production into a medicinal product in a highly secured and climatically standardised storage facilities.
Processing: The essential manufacturing steps for cannabis medicinal products take place in an EU GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified production facility in Germany. Every single flower is processed and inspected. We do not use ionising radiation at all, which helps to protect the terpenes and active substances in the plant.
Quality: Protocols of controls and laboratory analyses at various points along the production process ensure the reliable pharmaceutical quality of the end product. Patients can thus concentrate fully on their therapy and do not have to worry about the quality of the medicines.
WeGROW's Medicinal Cannabis Production
‘WeGROW’ has both its cultivation and processing facilities based 1,600 meters above sea-level in the mountains of Lesotho, where clean air and peaceful environment ensure the growth of high quality cannabis plants according to strict EU-GMP Principles for cultivation, extraction and the processing of cannabis for the medicinal and pharmaceutical markets by exporting medical cannabis to Germany and other global cannabis markets.
The 60,000 square meter cannabis facility in Lesotho has 30,000 square meter of production space in a unique hybrid greenhouse environment and employs >100 members of the surrounding communities.
The greenhouse is built to harness the power of the sun and improve the quality of the cannabis flower. The unique greenhouse design utilizes the power of the sun to increase terpenes and resin development throughout the life cycle of the plant. This unique growing technique, paired with innovative processing techniques, allows for a finely cured and crafted product that consumer across Europe enjoy.
WeGROW’s products are reliable because each variety contains a consistent amount of cannabinoids and terpenes. They are also free of contaminants such as microbes, pesticides and heavy metals. These qualities make WeGROW cannabis products reliable and safe for patients, while ensuring distributors a safe route to import cannabis from Africa.
Energy Efficient
WeGROW is producing at highest quality in a facility that sets the gold standard for the cannabis industry. Our greenhouses are powered by sunlight to provide optimal growing conditions.
Accessible
Compassionate pricing is a game-changer that not only subscribes to our values of accessibility for all, but makes us highly competitive as a supplier to international markets.
WeGROW's Rich THC Medical Strains
As the leading exporter of Cannabis products out of Lesotho we have developed a unique genetic portfolio of stable high demanded medical grade strains backed with years of successful reputation import bulk medical cannabis to Europe. These strains are highly THC concentrated and specially adopted for chronicle pain syndromes.
Interested in Importing Medical Cannabis to Czech Republic?
Leave us a message and one of our Import/Export team members will get back to you ASAP
Share / Send
Quick Navigation
Subscribe for Updates
Share / Send
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about how to Import medical cannabis to Czech Republic
What is the regulatory status of medical cannabis in Czech Republic?
Medical cannabis has been legal in Czech Republic since 2013, and it is regulated by the Ministry of Health. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain or spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, can access medical cannabis with a prescription from a licensed physician. However, recreational use of cannabis is still illegal in the country.
What is the import process for companies looking to import into Czech Republic?
To import medical cannabis products into Czech Republic, cannabis companies must first obtain a license from the State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL). The company must also ensure that the products they are importing comply with the Czech Republic’s regulations and quality standards for medical cannabis products.
What is the economic potential of the medical cannabis industry in Czech Republic?
The medical cannabis industry in Czech Republic is still in its early stages, but it has significant economic potential. According to a report by Prohibition Partners, the medical cannabis market in Czech Republic is expected to grow to €73 million by 2024. The report also notes that the country has a favorable regulatory environment for the industry, which could attract foreign investment.
What import opportunities are available for cannabis companies looking to export to Czech Republic?
Czech Republic has been open to importing medical cannabis products from countries outside of the European Union (EU), including African countries such as Lesotho and South Africa. However, African cannabis companies looking to export to Czech Republic must ensure that their products meet the country’s regulatory and quality standards for medical cannabis products, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits from both their own country and the Czech Republic.
Can patients in Czech Republic grow their own medical cannabis?
No, patients in Czech Republic are not allowed to grow their own medical cannabis. All medical cannabis products must be obtained through licensed pharmacies or healthcare facilities, and patients must have a valid prescription from a licensed physician. Additionally, the cultivation of cannabis for recreational or medical purposes is illegal in the country.