Cannabis specialist: It's not about selling marijuana, it's not about 'pot to smoke', there is research and development linked to the whole area

The moment cannabis is legalised, business would be built. It would mean the development of another industry. Mgr. Miroslava Brůhová, a specialist in the field of technical cannabis and cannabis for medical use, talks in the interview about the current legal regulation of these types of cannabis in the Czech Republic, the powers of the European Union in this issue and the benefits of legalization.

 

How exactly can we define technical cannabis and medical cannabis?

Technical cannabis is cannabis containing up to 1% THC (Note: Tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive substance found in cannabis). Medicinal cannabis is that which is already above this level and, of course, is also used for medicinal purposes.

In your opinion, what are the advantages of technical cannabis?

It is a multifunctional material, most commonly known under CBD oils and dietary supplements. Here we are still talking only about the flower of the plant. As far as the stem is concerned, it can be used to make an incredible number of things. It's used in industry, in making ropes, textile fibre, it is mixed into plastics, people try to make the equivalent of plastic bottles out of it.

Technical cannabis is legal in our country. So everything you mentioned is allowed?

Exactly. That is the advantage of this cannabis being legalised, it brings huge benefits to society.

How is it in the Czech Republic with the legalisation of cannabis for medical use, what stage are we at now?

Certain entities in our country can grow this cannabis. This is a great progress. At the same time, there are a lot of associations, political ambitions that are in favour of legalisation. I think we are waiting for Germany, where it is expected that within two years they will legalise this type of cannabis on a larger scale. I think then this will happen in Czechia as well.

With regard to medicinal cannabis, how exactly can it be dispensed now? And what would it look like if it was legalised?

At the moment, it has to be prescribed by a doctor, so it is only dispensed by pharmacies. That is currently the only legal way to obtain cannabis with THC above 1%. If it was legalised, it would be a different process. It could be like in Amsterdam, where you buy it from specialised shops, maybe it could be a licensed trade, but then it depends on the legislation. Of course it would be much more accessible.

Mgr. Miroslava Brůhová spoke at the Cannalaw Summit 2022 on the topic of the international cannabis market

 

Can the Czech Republic make a difference in this issue, since we will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July?

Absolutely. There is a great opportunity to move the legalisation process forward.

What are the powers of the European Union in the context of the legalisation of medical cannabis?

With regard to medical cannabis, the Czech Republic is currently developing implementing legislation. However, we have a notification obligation towards the EU. This means that our Ministry of Health prepares the regulation, but then it has to be sent to the EU authorities for approval so that it can be harmonised across the EU countries. The EU authorities can add conditions and we have to adapt the regulation accordingly.

What about technical cannabis, is the process the same there?

Yes, the restrictions apply to technical cannabis as well. We as a country have our national regulation, but the European area has a stricter one. This means that whereas technical cannabis is legal in our country, it is a problem to import it from a third country because it clashes with EU regulations. So we can grow technical cannabis here, but we cannot import it from a third country such as Switzerland. This requires a permit from the state authority, the SZIF, which only issues cannabis up to 0.3% THC.

You mentioned Germany as one of the countries where medical cannabis could soon be legalised. How are other European countries doing? Is medicinal cannabis already fully legal somewhere?

I would certainly mention Malta and Luxembourg. In these countries, it is now permitted to use cannabis for recreational purposes. It is not 100% legal, but the regime is very loose in those countries.

What do you think would be the impact of legalising medical cannabis on society?

From a global perspective, I would definitely mention the financial impact. Cannabis is currently traded on the black market. The moment it would be legalised, it would build a business. It would mean the development of another industry and the state would make money from it. So it would be a benefit to the economy. It is not about selling marijuana, it is not about 'pot to smoke', there is research and development linked to the whole area.