Psychedelic Drug Laws in the Czech Republic
Drug reform is moving at breakneck speed in Czechia.
The Czech Republic has a long history with psychedelics, and it has been one of the leading countries involved in their research since the 19th century. Despite this, most psychedelics remain strictly illegal.
This article will inform you about psychedelic laws in Czechia (LSD, DMT, MDMA, ketamine, and more).
We’ll also delve into some of the psilocybin-containing mushrooms you’ll likely find in the wild.
Summary of Psychedelic Drug Laws in the Czech Republic
- Most psychedelics are not legal in Czechia.
- Use and possession of psychedelics is not a criminal offense here.
- The medicinal use of marijuana is legal.
- Czechia is the first European country to provide psychotherapy with ketamine.
Czech Republic Substance & Penalty Chart
Substance | Amount allowed | Penalty for Possession Up to Stated Amounts | Penalty for Possession Above Stated Amount |
Cannabis | 5 plants, 15 g | Misdemeanor, fine up to 15,000 CZK; up to 2 years in prison, no criminal record. | Imprisonment 2-8 years |
Magic mushrooms | 40 pieces | See Above | See Above |
Hashish | 5 g | See Above | See Above |
LSD | 5 papers or other material | See Above | See Above |
Heroin | 1.5 g | See Above | See Above |
Cocaine | 1 g | See Above | See Above |
Meth | 2 g | See Above | See Above |
Sources:
- Interpreting the Czech drug decriminalization: The glass is half full
- Czech Drug Laws – Prague Guide
- Czech Republic – Country Drug Report 2017
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in the Czech Republic?
No, magic mushrooms are not legal here, though they are decriminalized.
Cultivation and possession of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms is not a crime. These acts are classified as a misdemeanor and are punishable by fines of up to 15,000 CZK. However, they are excluded from prosecution.
Still, this does not mean magic mushrooms are legal in Czechia. As a part of the European Union, the Czech Republic follows the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which establishes psilocybin and psilocin as Schedule 1 substances.
Obeying this convention means that Czechia can’t completely legalize magic mushrooms — but they can remove criminal penalties for those that break the law.
Legal Status of Magic Mushrooms in Europe
Where to Buy Magic Mushroom Spores in the Czech Republic
Magic mushroom spores do not contain, by themselves, any psilocybin. This makes it legal to buy them in most countries, including Czechia.
In addition, since cultivating psilocybin mushrooms is decriminalized here, buying spores is a simple process. You can easily find magic mushroom grow kits in online stores.
Do Magic Mushrooms Grow Wild in the Czech Republic?
Yes, magic mushrooms grow wild throughout Czechia.
Several species of native psychedelic mushrooms grow in the countryside and near small towns and cities. You might even find them growing in local city parks.
Here are some of the most common species you’ll find around the Czech Republic:
Inocybe corydalina
Also known as greenflush fibrecap, this small mushroom is common in Europe. You can find it growing under deciduous or conifer trees during fall. Template forests are the perfect place to search for them.
Pluteus salicinus
This mushroom grows in damp areas like forests, from summer to fall. It is found exclusively on dead hardwood such as Eucalyptus, Fagus, and Alnus.
Psilocybe arcana
These mushrooms usually grow in groups. You can find them on decaying organic matter, like wood and compost, and in humid places like creeks. Psilocybin content is highest on the cap of the mushroom.
Psilocybe fimetaria
You can find this mushroom from September to November. They grow on horse or cow dung and in grassy areas. They are widely spread but hard to find.
What Are the Medicinal Uses of Shrooms?
Two of the most promising uses for psilocybin include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Research also supports the use of psilocybin (and other tryptamine psychedelics) for treating addiction, cluster headaches, anxiety (especially existential anxiety), and facilitating greater creativity or problem-solving.
Is LSD Legal in the Czech Republic?
LSD is decriminalized in the Czech Republic.
Users are allowed to carry up to 5 tabs of acid (deemed “personal amount”) without running into any serious problems with the law (not a criminal offense). Beyond this amount, cops are permitted to arrest and charge you. You can still have your LSD confiscated and receive a fine for five or fewer tabs, but this is exceedingly rare.
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is just one of many compounds in the greater lysergamide family of drugs. Most of the compounds in this family carry similar psychoactive effects, with subtle differences in visual effects, introspective tendencies, or body load.
None of the other lysergamides are specifically mentioned in Czech law, but most experts suggest they fall under the same regulatory status as LSD.
Some of the most common LSD alternatives include AL-LAD, PRO-LAD, LSZ, ETH-LAD, ALD-52, 1P-LSD, 1B-LSD, and 1V-LSD.
Is DMT Legal in the Czech Republic?
DMT has been decriminalized in Czechia.
DMT (short for dimethyltryptamine) is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, but use and possession are considered misdemeanors. The fine for getting caught with a small amount of DMT can go up to 15,000 CZK.
Ayahuasca and changa are caught in a legal gray area. Possession of more than 0.5 liters of ayahuasca is considered an offense, but international laws do not control cultivation.
There is no mention in Czechian laws about the legal status of the Bufo alvarius toad (a natural source of 5-MeO-DMT).
Is MDMA Legal in the Czech Republic?
MDMA is decriminalized in the Czech Republic but not legal.
Possession of fewer than 2 grams of MDMA is only punishable by a fine. More than this is considered an offense, and the penalty ranges from two to eight years of prison.
Many countries are pushing for the full legalization of MDMA thanks to its uses in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, helping treat depression, anxiety, HSDD, and more.
Other amphetamine psychedelics follow similar rules, but there are no specific allowable quantities listed. Similar compounds include MDA, DOM, and DOI.
Is Ketamine Legal in the Czech Republic?
Ketamine is legal for medical use only. Personal quantities have been decriminalized.
Ketamine is mainly used along with anesthesia, but Czechia became the first European country to provide ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to patients with depression in 2020.
This opens the door for more clinics and professionals to offer this kind of treatment.
Related compounds, such as DCK and PCP, are also considered decriminalized, but no maximum quantities have been suggested.
Is Marijuana Legal in the Czech Republic?
Cannabis is legal for medicinal use and decriminalized for personal use.
Medical marijuana is only available under certain conditions as prescribed by a doctor. With a medical license, users are allowed to purchase up to 180 grams per month.
Possession is only punished by a fine and is not considered an offense unless you are found carrying more than 15 grams of marijuana or five plants.
Delta 8 THC, delta 10 THC, HHC, HHCP, HHCO, THCP, and various other cannabinoids are not considered legal. However, because of the relaxed drug policy here, it’s unlikely users will end up in trouble as long as they only carry small amounts with them at a time.
What’s the Difference Between Legalization & Decriminalization?
Czech laws can seem confusing if you don’t know the difference between legalization and decriminalization.
Decriminalization reduces the penalties for the personal use of illegal substances. This does not mean illegal products can be manufactured or freely commercialized, as this is a criminal offense and punished by harsh penalties. Still, possessing small amounts will not get you in serious trouble.
On the other hand, legalization entirely abolishes any penalties for producing, possessing, or selling a substance. Also, it provides standards for the product’s commercialization, including taxation and safety standards.
Key Takeaways: What’s the Future of Psychedelics in the Czech Republic?
As a part of the European Union, there’s not much else Czechia can do for the legalization of psychedelic substances. Still, we would like to note that Czech laws are much more tolerant than most other European countries, and decriminalized possession is already a significant step forward.
As more research surges and other countries approve the legal use of psychedelics, we think EU laws will change in favor of the citizens’ health. If each party of the EU was free to decide on the legal status of psychedelics, we believe Czechia would be one of the first to legalize them.