On 11 May 2020, the Czech government approved a bill amending the Act on Addictive Substances (the "Bill"). The purpose of the Bill is to expand the possibilities for cultivating cannabis for medical use to a broader range of subjects, including natural persons, thus increasing its availability to Czech patients. The Bill would also enable the export of medical cannabis. If enacted into law, increased production will presumably lead to a fall in the price of cannabis for medical use.
The Bill creates a new licensing system, enabling entities or individuals to cultivate plant-based cannabis for medical use, provided that they obtain:
- a medical substance manufacturer certificate from the State Institute for Drug Control (the "Institute");
- a licence to cultivate cannabis for medical use issued by the Institute; and
- a permit for handling addictive substances issued by the Ministry of Health.