Witcher 2 starting gold

So I'm beginning to question whether this is truly a bug at all.

Regardless, I found out how to resolve the problem; Simply continue along the forest path until you meet Iorveth and Triss puts up the arrow shield. At that point, assuming you're currently unencumbered, you will regain your normal speed.

This has not been changed in the Enhanced Edition. Potion crafting and drinking is still a process that requires that you meditate, which is not something you can do in the midst of battle.

A search over at the Witcher Mod Nexus did not turn up any mods to the game that would change this behavior. There is one that increases potion duration, however.

Being prepared for battle before you enter it is kind of core to the Witcher series, so this is a conscious design decision made by the developers of the game. In the first game, this was balanced slightly differently - you could drink potions in a battle situation (although it left you vulnerable for several seconds), but crafting potions required that you meditate.

Meditation was limited to specific areas, such as fires in the wilderness (which you had to light using consumables) or in inns or other friendly establishments where it was safe to sleep.