No more CBD? Czechia mulls ban on products containing hemp

The State Agricultural and Food Inspection (SZPI) is preparing a measure that will ban the marketing of cannabidiol CBD and other substances obtained from hemp, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a press release issued to the Czech Press Office on Tuesday.

On the Czech market, these products are sold as oils, confectionery, tinctures, or candies. The ministry did not say when the ban would come into effect. After its release, it will not be possible to resell the products. The ministry pointed out that the ban also applies to food supplements and cosmetics containing these substances.

SZPI ruled on its ban based on the findings that some products contain dangerous substances, such as the pesticide abamectin. These substances can be dangerous for human health. SZPI also warned that some products contain an amount of cannabidiol that exceeds the permitted limit.

Minister of Agriculture Zdeněk Nekula stated that companies introducing products with CBD to the market must check with his department whether they are new foods according to European legislation. 

"The ban on the marketing of cannabinoids and foods containing them will have an impact on some food business operators," he added. He also stated that a number of businesses have fulfilled this obligation.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the ban only applies to products that contain cannabidiol derived from hemp. Products containing cannabidiol from other sources, such as hemp resin, will not be banned.

Reactions to the ban are varied. Some people worry that the ban will affect the availability of products that help them with various health problems. Others, on the other hand, welcome the move by SZPI and the Ministry of Agriculture, because they are concerned about dangerous substances contained in some products.

SZPI and the Department of Agriculture advise consumers to check the ingredients and source when purchasing cannabidiol products. If products are purchased in a pharmacy, they should be safe and meet quality and safety requirements.