Cannabis in Slovakia

Cannabis in Slovakia is illegal for all purposes and possession of even small amounts of the drug can lead to lengthy prison terms. Possession or use of small amounts of cannabis (or only 1 joint) is punishable by up to eight years in prison.[1][2] In April 2012, The Wall Street Journal reported that Robert Fico, the incoming Slovak prime minister, might push for partial legalisation of cannabis possession, and has argued for the legalisation of possession of up to three doses of cannabis for personal use.[2]

From Subcarpathian Russia (now Ukraine), still part of Czechoslovakia, 1921

Proposed reform

In February 2018, The partial decriminalization of drugs was once proposed by the former Minister of Justice Lucia Žitňanská.

"For the first time, possession of a small amount of a drug should be punished as a misdemeanor and only in the case of repeated violations of the law within 12 months as a criminal offense. Under the age of 18, in addition to a fine, medical diagnosis, social counseling and, where appropriate, drug treatment should be automatically ordered".

The strongest government party (SMER-SD) did not like the decriminalization of hard drugs. Žitňanská proposed that the breach limit be reduced for marijuana (1 grams), cocaine (0.2 grams), methamphetamine (0.2 grams), heroin (0.5 grams) or 3 ecstasy tablets (0.8 grams). In the coalition, however, her proposal did not pass at that time, nor did it succeed in enforcing a slightly more conservative proposal by its successor, Gábor Gál. In both cases, the SNS was against the proposals. The SNS coalition party refuses to support the law at the government meeting. Because, in their words: "Demand for drugs will increase." [3][4]

Return of industrial hemp fields in hectares, broadcast in TV JOJ news, 13.February 2019

9 October 2019

According to its authors, the law will be designed to increase social protection and prevent the occurrence of addiction to narcotics and psychotropic substances, including the prevention of treatment of health consequences of persons dependent on the use of these substances by making criminal sanctions more flexible. Illicit activities of entities involved in the illicit manufacture and sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.[5]

However, it will remain on this list once Members have decided cannabidiol (CBD) remains on the list of narcotic and psychotropic substances. Amendment by Jozef Valocký (Smer-SD) was approved by the members of the Parliamentary Health Committee at their meeting on Wednesday 09. October 2019.[6]

27 of the 28 countries in the European Union do not consider cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis extract as a dangerous substance and have no need to control it in any way. Slovakia is the only exception that continues.

17 July 2020

After the parliamentary elections, The Ministry of Health wants to remove cannabidiol (CBD) from the list of psychotropic substances. This follows from the preliminary information of the Ministry on the planned amendment of the Act on Narcotic Substances, Psychotropic Substances and Preparations.

"The expert committee of the World Health Organization considers it harmless and does not cause addiction and this substance is not included in the list even according to UN conventions," the ministry clarified in the material.

The aim of the legislative change is also to extend the control mechanisms required by international UN conventions and to bring the law into line with European Union law. At the same time, several narcotic and psychotropic substances are to be added to the list. The expected date of commencement of the comment procedure is August 2020.

The ministry proposed removing cannabidiol from the list last year. However, MEPs supported the amendment by Jozef Valocký (Smer-SD) and remained on the list.

In February 2020, MEPs called on EU member states to make full use of the potential of marijuana-based medicines and remove obstacles to further scientific research in this area. Legislation on the therapeutic use of cannabis varies from one Member State to another.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended that cannabidiol, a constituent of cannabis, not be included in the list of internationally controlled substances.[7]

References
  1. "High contrast". The Economist. London: Economist Newspaper. 26 August 2010. ISSN 0013-0613. OCLC 60625410. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  2. Rousek, Leos (3 April 2012). "Slovakia's Incoming Leftist Premier Wants to Relax Tough Cannabis Laws". The Wall Street Journal. New York, NY. ISSN 0099-9660. OCLC 43638285. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  3. TASR. "Kolíková chce meniť trestné sadzby, vrátane trestov za marihuanu | Parlamentné Listy". parlamentnelisty.sk/ (in Slovak). Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  4. "Žitňanskej návrh zákona o drogách spustil lavínu. Tvrdá reakcia koaličných aj opozičných poslancov. Čaká nás nová vládna kríza? | Parlamentné Listy". parlamentnelisty.sk/ (in Slovak). Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  5. https://konopkar.sk/2019/08/21/prelomove-rozhodnutie-slovensko-legalizuje-cbd/
  6. https://konopkar.sk/2019/10/10/necakany-zvrat-cbd-slovenskym-pacientom-nepomoze-poslanec-smeru-dal-pozmenujuci-navrh/
  7. "Kanabidiol by mali vyradiť zo zoznamu psychotropných látok". tvnoviny.sk (in Slovak). 1 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
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