Lawmakers push for legalizing medical marijuana

A group of Czech MPs from all parties in the lower house of Parliament have come up with a bill that would legalize medical marihuana. At a news conference on Thursday, MPs said that under the proposed legislation, cannabis would be supplied by licensed producers and would be available to patients as a prescription drug free of charge. Licences to grow the plant would be issued by the State Institute for Drug Control; the national anti-drug coordinator said up to ten companies could receive such licenses. The bill will now be discussed by the government before it is put to vote in the Czech Parliament. If approved, medical marijuana could be legalized by the end of August.

Author: Jan Richter