Experts and the public discussed the rational regulation of cannabis and psychedelics in Prague

On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, an event called Cannabis and Psychedelics – The Czech Republic Needs Change!, organized by the Think Tank Rational Addiction Policy and the Association for Cannabis Regulation, took place in the center of Prague at the Kaiserštejn Palace. Not only representatives of the professional public gathered in one place, but also people who have their own experience with the current criminalization of cannabis and psychedelics. The first morning block was dedicated to them, where they shared their stories. The second block was dedicated to the expert perspective and the presentation of the study How to Regulate Cannabis and Comply with Conventions in the European Union (Models of Decriminalization and Legal Regulation of Cannabis in Accordance with International Law and the EU Legal Order). All participants agreed that the current legislation is completely inadequate and that a change is urgently needed that will lead to a reasonable regulation of psychomodulatory substances.

Why is change needed in the Czech Republic? This question was answered by the speakers in the first block, who told their stories and how the senseless criminalization of their actions affected their lives. One of the speakers was Miroslav Koláčný. He and his son literally went through hell when they were prosecuted and tried for growing cannabis and making a medicinal ointment from it for their sick wife and mother. “When I read the cases of people who wanted to treat themselves with the medicinal plant cannabis, or wanted to help their loved ones, and were tried and sentenced, often to many years in prison, for this, I am sad that something so monstrous is happening in the 21st century in a democratic country,” says Miroslav Koláčný. "In these cases, the criminal justice authorities are completely scandalously abusing the law, which allows them to persecute and destroy the lives of completely innocent people who have not harmed or damaged anyone, and the social danger of their actions is absolutely zero. The blame also lies with the legislators - members of parliament. Law 167/1998 has been in force for many years. No government across political parties, except for minor amendments, has been willing and able to change anything about this absurd law," he adds, appealing for the necessary change in the legislation.

The panel discussion, which was part of the second block, was attended by representatives of associations and organizations that deal with various topics related to cannabis. One of them was the representative of the KOPAC organization, the patient association for cannabis treatment, MUDr. Pavel Kubů. He says of the need for legislative change: “A rational end to prohibition and the debunking of cannabis myths in our society will not only help reduce the level of pain and suffering in an aging population, but will also accelerate the growth of a new industry. The cannabis industry has the potential to ensure our country’s energy independence, if its development is not constantly blocked by outdated legislation from the war on drugs.”

Other speakers included the authors of Charter 420, which publicly calls and appeals to the Chamber of Deputies to take steps to adopt legislation that will lead to the decriminalization of cannabis and the creation of a regulated cannabis market. “A gray zone of illegal producers and sellers has gradually developed in our country, who profit from the current situation. Neither the state nor the customer who buys goods of uncertain quality has control over the final product,” says renowned rapper James Cole. Director and producer Jakub Hussar adds: “Many countries have already gone through the process of decriminalization and we can easily follow proven procedures. That is why we are sending a message to politicians – hear our call and bring the Czech Republic closer to the developed world.”

The event was also attended by the advisor to the national coordinator for drug policy and the director of research at the Think Tank for Rational Addiction Policy, doc. MUDr. Viktor Mravčík, Ph.D. He said about Tuesday’s event: “It is good that decriminalization and changes to the legislation are being talked about more and more often in the public sphere. I think it is not right that we face a higher penalty for growing cannabis than for violent crimes. Unfortunately, it is not just that a high penalty is only a threat, but high penalties are a common reality. This was also shown by the stories told by the participants in the morning part of the event. That is why the Czech Republic needs change and I believe that it will happen soon.”

Several different models of decriminalization and rational regulation of cannabis were then presented in the study How to regulate cannabis and comply with conventions in the European Union (Models of decriminalization and legal regulation of cannabis in accordance with international law and the EU legal order). It was carried out by French researcher Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli, who presented it at the event.

The Association for the Regulation of Cannabis was established at the end of 2022. Its aim is to bring together all actors in the field of cannabis, whether they are business entities, patient associations or representatives of the lay public, in order to support and promote rational regulation of cannabis.

The Think Tank Rational Addiction Policies is a multidisciplinary association of independent and prominent experts who deal with the issue of addiction from all angles. Therefore, they deal with addiction in the context of public and individual health, legislation, tax and economic impacts on public budgets and other areas.

The event was implemented with the financial support of OSF – Open Society Foundation.