Czech government proposes stricter kratom regulations

The Czech government is set to discuss a legislative amendment regarding psychomodulatory substances, most notably kratom. The proposed changes include raising the legal purchase age from 18 to 21 years and banning online sales to reduce accessibility and improve age verification.

Despite objections from the Czech Chamber of Commerce, the Office for the Protection of Competition, and various municipalities, the Ministry of Health has maintained the core components of the proposal. The Chamber of Commerce argued that banning e-commerce could drive consumers toward illegal markets and suggested stricter identity verification for online sales instead.

Additional measures in the amendment include increasing VAT from 12% to 21%, introducing an excise tax, and allowing municipalities to restrict or ban licensed brick-and-mortar shops within their territories. The regulation also imposes stricter rules on shop signage and window visibility to prevent advertising to minors. The Ministry of Health justifies these measures by citing the need to protect young adults and addressing instances of intoxication among high school students.