Officials have backtracked on a move to ban the sale of CBD in the Czech Republic, following an unexpected announcement earlier this month.
The proposal, put forward by the Minister for Agriculture, to ban the sale and marketing of food products containing CBD, generated significant opposition from the European cannabis sector.
On Tuesday 25 April, the ministry announced that CBD and other cannabinoids, both hemp-derived and synthetic, are considered Novel Foods under EU regulations and may not be placed on the market without authorisation. A blanket ban, enforced by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority, was expected to come into force from the beginning of June.
The move took many by surprise, including national anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Voboril, who was reportedly not informed of the proposal, despite being heavily involved in the regulation of CBD.
However on Wednesday 17 May, Czech Prime Minister Pietr Fiala announced on Twitter that the ban would not come into force yet as it would result in a ‘major complication’ for both consumers and companies in the industry.
Společně s místopředsedou vlády Ivanem Bartošem, ministrem zemědělství Zdeňkem Nekulou, ministrem pro legislativu Michalem Šalomounem a národním protidrogovým koordinátorem Jindřichem Vobořilem jsme se sešli kvůli navrhovanému zákazu potravin s obsahem CBD. Domluvili jsme se, že… pic.twitter.com/hw6MgF5nuG
— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) May 17, 2023
The news came following a joint meeting between Fiala and Vobořil, along with Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš, Agriculture Minister Zdenek Nekula and Legislation Minister Michal Šalomoun, during which they decided against implementing the proposed regulation of CBD-containing foods.
According to the Prime Minister, a working group has been formed to specifically to examine how CBD-containing foods can remain legal in the Czech Republic and ensure ‘clear governance and rules’.
He stated: “Together with Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš, Minister of Agriculture Zdenek Nekula, Minister for Legislation Michal Šalomoun and National Anti-Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil, we met about the proposed ban on foods containing CBD. We have agreed that the upcoming measure regulating the sale of CBD will not come into force now.
“A working group will meet this afternoon that will look for a way to ensure that foods containing CBD do not fall under this ban now, as this would mean a major complication for users of this substance and for a number of Czech entrepreneurs. The group will also work to ensure that the market for CBD products is governed by clear and predictable rules.”
A win for the Czech cannabis industry
CzecHemp is an industry body bringing together non-profit organisations, educational and research institutions and businesses active in the cannabis sector. It described the move to ban CBD as ‘illogical’ and ‘unnecessary’ and called for the government to distinguish between naturally occurring cannabinoids found in hemp, and isolates.
The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) also called on the Czech authorities to recognise natural hemp extracts as traditional foods, filing an official request under Article 4 of the Novel Food regulations.
Hana Gabrielová, president of CzecHemp, celebrated yesterday’s news on LinkedIn.
“Great team work of CzecHemp and other experts who supported us in the fight against ban on CBD products in our country,” she said.
“The government cancel the ban and will establish working group which will look for solutions how to keep CBD product on the legal market under clear rules. This is just first step, much more to go.
She added: “Looking forward to continue working together to make CBD products on the Czech and EU market available in their food quality and as safe product for the consumer.”
The post Czech Republic backtracks on move to ban sale of CBD appeared first on Cannabis Health News.
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Author: Sarah Sinclair
