Government proposes tighter restrictions on kratom sales

The Czech government has proposed stricter rules for the sale of kratom, including raising the minimum purchase age from 18 to 21 and banning online sales. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) said the proposal would also introduce an excise tax on the substance and move it from the reduced to the standard VAT rate. Kratom has been legally available in Czechia under strict regulation since last November, when it was classified as a psychomodulatory substance. It is currently sold only in licensed specialist shops and to adults.