Since the Czech Republic on January 1 possession of small amounts of hard drugs pulled from the Criminal Code, may be officially the most free country in Europe called. Who stays under the limit (1 gram and a half grams of cocaine or heroin) will only risk a fine, but would be lower than in the street throwing a cigarette.
The possession of small quantities of other drugs, including the Netherlands banned hallucinogenic mushrooms (magic mushrooms), will no longer be prosecuted. For marijuana, possession of which some years ago, the Criminal Code was met, the limit was placed on 15 grams. Unlike Netherlands continues its sale is illegal. Drug tourism does not need to be feared. Self-cultivation - to five plants - is again allowed.
For the proponents of free drug use has also fought the battle. "We are no longer criminals", recognizes Jiri Dolezal, journalist and drug guru. Now the law is a fact, he is planning his annual Cannabis Cup, a photo contest in his weekly Reflex, to dismantle.
What impact the new law will have on drug use is difficult to predict. Already in Europe the Czech Republic is number one in terms of soft drug use. The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drugs Addiction, one in three Czechs between 15 and 24 years last year used cannabis at least once. The number of hard drug users is in the thousands.
Dolezal but does not believe the new law will use stir. Since the Czech government several years ago, began her political tolerance, the popularity of hard drugs is significantly decreased. The use of cannabis has risen for some years longer. According to Dolezal the reason is obvious: "Now drugs are no longer forbidden fruit, they become less attractive." |
