The Czech government has presented the initial results of an inter-ministerial working group focused on the availability of psychoactive substances in the Czech Republic. The group is primarily concerned with kratom, kratom extracts, low-potency cannabis enriched with synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, and other risky products that have recently become available to children and young people.

According to the government, the current regulations are insufficient. The number of intoxications with kratom and other psychoactive substances is steadily increasing, and hundreds of people end up in hospitals each year. A significant proportion of these are minors. Therefore, on April 27, 2026, the government established an inter-ministerial working group, coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior.

"We are and will be a government that legalizes drugs. Drugs are not a normal part of life; they carry health, social, and security risks. Therefore, we want stronger prevention, better information, stricter market control, and protection for minors," said Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

Just four weeks after its formation, the group announced its initial results. The Czech Police, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority, the Customs Administration, the State Agricultural and Food Inspection, regional public health stations, and other state administration bodies were involved in the inspections. The inspections are taking place throughout the country, both in brick-and-mortar stores and online.

The result is the closure of three brick-and-mortar stores and the blocking of 25 online stores, where violations of the law were detected or products related to specific intoxications were offered. The inspection authorities seized nearly 86,000 products and 155 kilograms of kratom. More than 11,000 other products were ordered to be withdrawn from the market or destroyed.

"We cannot allow a situation where children can purchase substances with psychoactive effects from vending machines or with just a few clicks on the internet. Three-quarters of those hospitalized after intoxication with kratom or synthetic cannabinoids are under the age of eighteen," said Minister of the Interior Lubomír Metnar.

The Ministry of Health warns that many of these products contain substances with insufficiently studied effects. The composition and concentration can vary significantly, which increases the risk of acute intoxications, loss of consciousness, psychological problems, and cardiovascular complications. Regional public health stations conducted approximately 230 inspections in May and identified nearly 4,000 types of non-compliant herbal products intended for smoking, more than 600 electronic cigarettes, and nearly 100 e-liquid refills.

Legislative changes are also being prepared. The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, is finalizing amendments to the regulations for psychomodulatory substances, particularly kratom and kratom extracts. The proposal includes, among other things, raising the minimum age for purchase from 18 to 21 years.

At the same time, the Ministry of Finance is preparing to move kratom from the reduced VAT rate of 12 percent to the standard rate of 21 percent and is also discussing the possibility of an excise tax. "It is not justifiable that kratom, which is a psychoactive substance with stimulating effects, is not subject to an excise tax," said Minister of Finance Alena Schillerová.

According to current regulations, kratom and kratom extract can only be sold through licensed operators. The Ministry of Health issues the licenses, and currently, approximately 100 retailers hold them. Sales in vending machines are prohibited. The handling of classified psychoactive substances, such as THCP, HHCP, muscimol, or MDMB-PINACA, is completely prohibited.

The final report of the inter-ministerial group will propose further legislative steps to the government. The government is expected to receive the report by July 31.

gnews.cz - GH