Expansive Czech criminal code reform set to ease cannabis regulations

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has approved a sweeping reform of the country’s criminal code, paving the way for more lenient cannabis laws and a shift toward alternative sentencing. The bill, passed by 142 of 159 MPs present, marks one of the most significant updates to Czech criminal law in decades, aimed at reducing prison populations and promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.

The reform, which still requires Senate approval, is set to take effect from January 2026. Beyond cannabis regulations, the changes touch on various areas, including a new child protection registry, adjustments to sentencing for repeat offenders, and stricter penalties for certain crimes.

One of the key aspects of the reform is the easing of restrictions on cannabis possession and cultivation. Under the proposed rules, individuals will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants for personal use, and to possess up to 100 grams of dried cannabis at home or 25 grams in public.

Possession beyond these limits would still be penalized, with growing four to five plants classified as a misdemeanor, and larger amounts treated as a criminal offense. Possessing over 200 grams of dried cannabis at home would also be considered a felony.

The new framework, introduced by MP Zdenka Němečková Crkvenjaš, represents a compromise after more ambitious proposals from the Pirate Party to create a regulated cannabis market were rejected.

The changes also include the creation of a dedicated section in the penal code for cannabis-related offenses, with penalties calibrated to reflect the lower societal risk of cannabis compared to other drugs.

Justice Minister Pavel Blažek, who resigned from office on Friday in the wake of a bitcoin scandal, said the broader reform aims to distinguish between truly harmful conduct and minor infractions that need not burden the criminal justice system. The amendment on cannabis has drawn attention from both supporters of drug policy liberalization and those who warn against normalizing drug use.

Beyond the cannabis regulations, the reform introduces a wide range of measures intended to modernize Czech criminal law. The bill gives judges more flexibility to impose alternative sentences, such as fines and probation, for a broader range of crimes. However, serious offenses like rape or domestic violence will remain ineligible for monetary penalties alone.

In a controversial move, the legislation creates a so-called “child protection certificate” that will impose long-term employment restrictions on individuals convicted of certain violent or sexual offenses.

For the most severe crimes, including those punishable by at least five years in prison, offenders will face a 100-year bar from working with children. Lesser offenses will carry a 20-year restriction, and courts will have discretion in borderline cases.

The bill also addresses hate crimes, increasing penalties for acts motivated by bias, and expands the list of aggravating circumstances to include attacks on individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, it revises penalties for offenses such as deepfake pornography, lowers some sentences for non-violent economic crimes, and clarifies rules on hate speech targeting extremist political movements.

While the reform package was approved by a large parliamentary majority, it faces scrutiny as it moves to the Senate. Supporters argue that the changes will ease pressure on the prison system and modernize justice practices, while critics caution against the potential for unintended consequences amidst the sweeping reform.