Czech Crackdown Seizes 86,000 Hemp and Kratom Products; Closures Next
May's nationwide KORUND checks found three in four inspected shops breaking the law. In September the cabinet approved powers for police to close risky shops for up to 14 days.
This story is about Czechia — not the country you picked in the header.
Key takeaways
- In May 2026, Czech police and five other authorities checked 291 shops selling low-THC cannabis and kratom; 224 (77%) broke the law.
- Authorities seized nearly 86,000 products and 155 kg of kratom, cleared 63 CBD vending machines, closed 3 shops and blocked 25 e-shops.
- Police counted 235 intoxication cases in 2026 by June 1; 161 involved synthetic cannabinoids or kratom, 4 of them fatal.
- In September 2026 the cabinet approved a bill letting police close businesses for up to 14 days over serious health risks.
Czech authorities have published the results of KORUND, a coordinated inspection of hemp, CBD and kratom sellers run in May 2026, and the government has since moved to give police faster powers to shut shops.
What the checks found
224 of 291
Inspected shops breaking the law
Police of the Czech Republic, 2026-06-01
~86,000
Products seized, plus 155 kg of kratom
Police of the Czech Republic, 2026-06-01
25
Online shops blocked
Police of the Czech Republic, 2026-06-01
Authorities also cleared products from 63 CBD vending machines, ordered more than 11,000 further products withdrawn or destroyed and closed three brick-and-mortar shops. Police opened criminal proceedings in 87 cases and were investigating 112 more, Advokátní deník reported.
Inspectors found CBD products enriched with semi-synthetic or fully synthetic cannabinoids, illegally sold kratom, pre-rolled joints, vape refills and colorful packets with synthetic cannabinoids. The police, customs, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority, regional hygiene stations, the State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority and the fire service took part.
The health toll behind the operation
| Poisonings reported to police in 2026 (to June 1) | Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic cannabinoids or kratom | 161 | 4 |
| Medicines or toxins | 51 | 7 |
| Classic drugs | 23 | 12 |
| Total | 235 | 23 |
Police urged people to avoid products of unclear composition sold as collectibles or "not for consumption", including hemp flower, candies, pre-rolls and e-cigarette refills.
What happens next: 14-day closures
On September 16, 2026 Expats.cz reported that the cabinet had approved legislation letting police temporarily close a business for up to 14 days if its products pose a serious health risk. Officers could act before an expert assessment in urgent cases, and regulators would have 48 hours to confirm the threat. The bill was submitted by the leaders of the three coalition parties: Andrej Babiš (ANO), Petr Macinka (Motorists) and Tomio Okamura (SPD).
Legal experts quoted by Expats.cz questioned whether police can judge unfamiliar products and whether 48-hour lab testing is realistic. The bill still needs parliament.
KORUND checks run nationwide.
Police publish results.
Tourists in Prague are hospitalized after eating candies labeled as containing THC, Expats.cz reports.
Government approves the separate lex kratom bill.
Cabinet backs 14-day closure powers; parliament to follow.
What stays legal on Czech shelves is explained in our guide to Prague cannabis shops, and the related lex kratom bill is covered separately.
FAQ
What was the KORUND operation?
A nationwide inspection in May 2026 by Czech police and other authorities targeting shops selling low-THC cannabis, CBD and kratom. It aimed to cut the supply of products containing synthetic cannabinoids and illegally sold kratom.
How many shops broke the law?
224 of the 291 shops inspected, or 77%, according to police results published on June 1, 2026.
Can Czech police close cannabis shops?
A bill approved by the cabinet in September 2026 would let police close a business for up to 14 days when its products pose a serious health risk. It still needs parliamentary approval.
Were any online shops affected?
Yes. Authorities blocked 25 online shops that offered products linked to specific intoxications or broke the law in other ways.
Sources
- Policie České republiky — Kontrolní akce Korund · Jun 1, 2026
- Advokátní deník — Policie při akci na omezení prodeje CBD a kratomu zajistila 86 000 produktů · Jun 2, 2026
- Expats.cz — Prague's 'fake weed' shops could face closure under new police powers · Sep 16, 2026
- ČeskéNoviny.cz (ČTK) — Policie při akci na omezení prodeje CBD a kratomu zajistila 86.000 produktů · Jun 1, 2026
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