The Czech Parliament has approved far-reaching changes to criminal law. The focus is on the decriminalisation of cannabis, stronger protective measures for children and a ban on communist propaganda.
The Czech Parliament has approved a reform of criminal law that, among other things, aims to reduce prison populations and increase the use of fines instead of prison sentences, reports the news portal iDnes.cz. One component of the reform is the relaxation of regulations on the cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal use.
The bill was passed by a large majority – 142 of the 159 MPs present voted in favour – and will now be submitted to the Senate for further consideration. Only 16 MPs from the right-wing SPD voted against it, and one MP abstained.
Up to 100 grams of cannabis and three plants legal
In future, it will be legal to grow up to three cannabis plants at home, to possess up to 100 grams of cannabis within your own four walls and to carry up to 25 grams with you. Growing four to five plants will be considered a misdemeanour, while a larger number could constitute a criminal offence – as could the possession of more than 200 grams of cannabis in the home.
The new framework represents a compromise after more ambitious proposals by the Pirate Party to create a regulated cannabis market were rejected.
Further reforms of criminal law
As part of the current reforms, MPs also voted in favour of introducing a so-called ‘child certificate’. This is intended to ensure that people with a history of violence against children will no longer be allowed to work with minors in future. In addition, an explicit ban on communist propaganda was decided.
In addition to these innovations, the reform also provides for individual training plans for judges. The draft law will now be further discussed in the Senate.
