Historic Kratom Legislation on the Horizon in Czech Republic

Czech Republic faced a problem unheard of in the United States: minors were consuming kratom purchased from vending machines. Instead of outlawing kratom, Czech Republic's national drug policy coordinator Jindrich Zoboril pushed for parliament to implement policy that would regulate kratom as a "psychomodular substance".

In May of 2024, the Czech House approved the new policy for handling kratom and other lower-risk substances (for example, cannabinoids like CBD and HHC). The policy creates a new category for psychoactive substances that can be classified as neither dietary supplements nor pharmaceutical drugs. The proposed law would also make it illegal to sell kratom and other psychomodular substances to minors and through vending machines.

Prior to its passage by the House, Voboril met with political party representatives and several government officials about the psychomodular substance policy to regulate kratom.

Kratom imports into Czech Republic have increased in recent years. In 2021, a reported 31 tons were imported into the country, mostly from Indonesia. This increased to 192 tons in 2023. A reported 300,000 Czechs consume kratom, out of a population of 10.7 million.

The psychomodular substances policy is now being assessed by the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union that deals with policy. The policy will then go through Czech Republic's Senate, then to the Czech president Petr Pavel for approval.

History of Psychoactive Substance Policy in Czech Republic

After the fall of the Soviet Union, the Czech Republic underwent significant changes in its drug policy. In 1990, the Czech Republic decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use. Instead of criminal charges, individuals faced fines.

The government prioritized harm reduction strategies, such as providing clean injection equipment and treatment for drug dependence. This approach helped keep HIV rates low, even as they surged in other parts of Europe.

In response to political pressure and media scrutiny, the Czech government reintroduced criminal penalties for minor drug offenses in the late 1990s.

The government then conducted studies to assess the impact of recriminalization. The findings showed that criminal penalties did not reduce drug use or initiation. Based on the study results, the Czech Republic removed criminal sanctions for personal possession and use of drugs. The government also differentiated between cannabis and other drugs, imposing lighter penalties for cannabis-related offenses.

In 2001, the government categorized substances based on their social and medical risks, leading to more nuanced and effective drug policies.

Czech Republic remains progressive on drugs policy, using a scientific and evidence-based approach that incorporates harm reduction and decriminalization. The country has a comprehensive addiction policy that does not distinguish between licit and illicit substances. This policy integrates areas such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, psychoactive medicines, and digital addictions.