The Czech Senate recently passed a significant bill concerning the regulation of psychomodulatory substances, including kratom and cannabis derivatives like HHC. This bill, approved on October 9, 2024, amends the Act on Addictive Substances to address concerns about the easy availability and consumption of these substances by minors.
Key aspects of the bill include:
- Restricting sales: The bill limits the sale of kratom and similar substances to adults only and mandates that they be sold only in specific stores. Both brick-and-mortar and online vendors must obtain permits to sell psychomodulatory substances.
- Protecting minors: The legislation aims to prevent minors from accessing these substances, particularly through vending machines. Customers must go through a rigorous two-step age verification process.
- New category: The bill introduces a new category for psychoactive substances that are neither dietary supplements nor pharmaceutical drugs.
The bill is now awaiting approval from Czech President Petr Pavel. If signed into law, it will take effect in December 2024. This move is part of a broader effort to balance the potential benefits of these substances with the need to protect public health, especially among young people.
Jindrich Voboril, the Czech National Drug Coordinator, played a pivotal role in shaping this legislation. Voboril, a leading expert on drug policy with over 20 years of experience, advocated for a regulatory approach rather than a complete ban.
He engaged with political party representatives and government officials to discuss the regulation of these substances. His efforts culminated in the Senate’s approval of the bill on October 9, 2024.
Voboril’s hard reduction approach emphasizes controlling the availability of less-risky compounds to prevent people from turning to harder alternatives. His work has been instrumental in moving towards a more balanced and evidence-based drug policy in the Czech Republic.
The need for this legislation arose from growing concerns about the easy availability of kratom and similar substances, particularly to minors. In January 2024, an incident in Karlovy Vary where primary school children were poisoned by sweets containing HHC, a cannabis derivative, highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue.
The Czech Republic’s approach to drug policy has been evolving, with a focus on harm reduction and evidence-based regulation. The new regulations aim to strike a balance between allowing access to potentially beneficial substances and protecting public health, especially among vulnerable populations like minors.
