- Cannabis in Poland
Although Poland has some of Europe’s most restrictive drug regulations, the distribution and use of cannabis for medical reasons became legal in 2017.
For medical use, Polish legislation allows the growing of cannabis but mustn’t contain more than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in flowering or fruiting tops of plants from which the resin has not been extracted (Non-Fibrous Cannabis). And in addition to certain industrial use, you can also import and sell such cannabis for medical use as a pharmaceutical raw material planned for preparing prescription drugs in Poland. But the production, sale, and import of recreational Non-Fibrous Cannabis in Poland are forbidden. And the violations of the laws concerning Cannabis in Poland are treated as criminal offenses and are punishable by fines or imprisonment.
- Cannabis in the Czech Republic
It was claimed that the Czech Republic is the most liberal country in Europe regarding drug use in general and Cannabis in particular. Although its recreational use is still illegal, the Czech Republic has legalized medical cannabis and decriminalized cannabis possession for personal use.
Under the current Czech law on drugs, people can possess a small amount of marijuana with no punishment for possessing but the possession of larger amounts may result in prison sentences depending on the kind of cannabis possessed.
It should also be noted that in addition to industrial use, medicinal marijuana is legal in the Czech Republic, but its use is restricted for individuals over 18 and as a treatment for certain diseases, e.g., HIV, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.
Marijuana legality in the Czech Republic vs Poland
The Poles believe that the Czech has more freedom and regarding this, marijuana is completely legal in the Czech Republic and can be freely used there. But this is not completely true, while the Czech laws regarding marijuana may be slightly more liberal than in Poland, there are still regulations on cannabis use in that country.
Legal status of hemp in the Czech Republic
The Czech law allows the possession of small amounts of any drug, but the possession of larger amounts is considered to be a crime, as does the possession of any Cannabis developed drug which contains over 0.3% active ingredient. The Czech Supreme court has dropped the acceptable amount of the active ingredient of Marijuana to 10 grams. You can also carry up to 10 grams without consequences.
CBD (cannabidiol) regulations in Poland vs the Czech Republic
Poland has no regulation on CBD since it is not a controlled substance given that it was derived from cannabis that contains less than 0.3% of the psychoactive substance, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
And earlier, the laws in force in the Czech Republic were similar to those in Poland, that is dried CBD in the Czech Republic could contain up to 0.3% of THC. However, since 2022, the law had changed and the THC limit was raised to 1% for industrial hemp, which is a major change that will benefit entrepreneurs who refine true hemp and produce, for example, CBD oils.
Also, as a member of the European Union, the Czech Republic is obligated to the 2020 EU Court decision that determined CBD and its products were not narcotics, so a country of the EU cannot restrict the marketing of cannabidiol lawfully produced in another EU member state.
THC limit in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, the THC limit for industrial hemp is now up to 1%, as hemp with a THC concentration of up to 1% is categorized as a substance that is not addictive.
The Czech Republic is now one of the few European countries that develop hemp with a THC content of up to 1% for industrial purposes, in comparison to other EU member state, e.g., Poland, that have set the threshold to about 0.3%.
When it comes to higher THC concentrations of over 1%, they can be found in medical marijuana.
Czech CBD oils vs Poland’s
Czech CBD oils have long been most prominent among Polish consumers, because in the past, Czechs were successfully running businesses founded on hemp supplements and they were of better quality than the Polish ones, as the Czech manufacturers were on the market longer, had better-specialized facilities and were more experienced.
But presently, Poland is also climbing the hemp ladder in the international hemp products market, and it doesn’t change in terms of quality at all. So now, hemp oil from the Czech Republic is comparable in terms of quality to hemp oil from Poland.
Is Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) legal in the Czech Republic?
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is an oil with a high THC content that is usually used in home treatment of sick people.
RSO oil is illegal in Poland because it contains a lot of THC.
The law regarding marijuana use in the Czech Republic is less restrictive than in Poland. But RSO oil contains about 90% of THC, which are very high concentration, even in the Czech Republic, so the legality of RSO oil Czech Republic is quite uncertain.
Hemp products in the Czech Republic and Poland
Since the Czech law asserted hemp as a specialized and energy crop, cannabis which contains less than 0.3% THC, has made its way into a wide range of Czech-made products same as Poland.
But hemp products from the Czech Republic vary little from those found in Poland. The most popular ones are CBD oils and dried hemp, also cosmetic products, fabric, food, and even hemp plastic.
Upcoming legislation regarding THC in the Czech Republic
The Czech government has now started drafting legislation to completely legalize products containing THC. The Czech coalition government is drafting a bill to legislate the industry, which is expected to be submitted in 2023, while full legalization may be entered into effect by 2024. So in the future, Hemp products in the Czech Republic would be deemed similar to cigarettes.
Cultivating hemp in the Czech Republic
Small-scale hemp cultivation in the Czech Republic is legal for consumers, but these businesses must have a license. And the same goes for growing cannabis for medical purposes.
Would you know more about laws imposed on cannabis, or need help getting a license for your hemp business, or setting up your company in the Czech Republic? – Let’s go ahead and contact your Damalion expert now.
