MARIJUANA IS NOW A PERSONAL MATTER FOR CZECHS

Pubdate: Fri, 11 Dec 2009

Source: Wall Street Journal (US)

Page: A7

Copyright: 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487

Author: Sean Carney

MARIJUANA IS NOW A PERSONAL MATTER FOR CZECHS

The interim Czech government, led by chief statistician-turned-Prime Minister Jan Fischer, early this week took a step towards making casual marijuana smoking a less worrisome affair.

Mr. Fischer's cabinet defined on Monday what constitutes "small amounts" of cannabis for personal use, clarifying the country's new penal code that from next year decriminalizes cultivation and possession of the plant by individuals, according to Czech news agency CTK.

As of Jan. 1 ordinary Czechs can grow up to five marijuana plants or have several marijuana cigarettes in their pockets without fear of criminal prosecution. Previously what constituted a small amount wasn't specified.

The government's approval of a table specifying what amounts of drugs are permissible is a vital part of the country's new penal code that was last year approved by both houses of parliament and in January of this year was signed into law by President Vaclav Klaus. Without the just-approved table of amounts that will be used by Czech police, the January decriminalization of the drug would be difficult to judge by courts and investigators.

The plant still remains illegal, however, though from the new year possession of five or less plants is merely a misdemeanour, and fines for possession will be on par with penalties for parking violations.

There is also an interesting lifestyle footnote: Czechs are Europe's biggest drinkers of hops-infused beer and are also the continent's leaders in smoking pot. Czechs consume 320 pints of the golden brew per person annually. Also 22% of Czechs between the age of 16 and 34 smoke cannabis at least once a year, according to a recent report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Czech decriminalization of small amounts of cannabis possession does not, however provide greater clarity to the country's policy on medical marijuana. "Konopi Je Lek," a Czech non-profit organization promoting medical marijuana recently co-founded the country's first marijuana dispensary in Prague despite there being no medical marijuana laws on the country's books. The grand opening of the dispensary on Sept. 28 was attended by Prague's Mayor Dr. Pavel Bem, who is also a physician and proponent of sensible use of the herb. Since then, however, Prague police have raided it, hauling away the cannabis meant for patients, and the dispensary is now looking for growers to help restock its supply.