Since January, more favorable legal conditions have been in force for farmers growing medical cannabis and its users. The permitted THC content of technical cannabis, in particular, has been increased from 0.3 percent to 1 percent.
At the same time, the existing strict regulations for its cultivation were relaxed, and the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) monopoly on its purchase and sale was abolished. Farmers can now offer their products freely on the market.
The change will be appreciated by sick people who, according to the institute, use it in connection with cancer treatment, chronic and neuropathic pain, or, for example, in dermatological problems.
The relaxed conditions should reduce the price of cannabis on the market, resulting in savings in public health insurance. Patients receive a 90% reimbursement for medical cannabis.
200,000 users in the Czech Republic
“Cannabis has great sedative and analgesic effects. I am convinced that low THC levels are of great importance,” said the entrepreneur, who is working on his cannabis project with Rodion Schwarz, a doctor from Prilep.
According to the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictions, two to three percent of adults, or approximately 200 000 people, use cannabis solely for medicinal purposes. The number of medicinal cannabis users in treatment increases with age. The highest numbers are in the 55-64 age group, especially in the 65+ age group.