A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Legality of cannabis by country
...
Legal
Illegal but decriminalized
Illegal but often unenforced
Illegal
Legality unknown
Legal for any adult use
Legal for medical use
Illegal or unknown
The legality of cannabis for medical and recreational use varies by country, in terms of its possession, distribution, and cultivation, and (in regards to medical) how it can be consumed and what medical conditions it can be used for. These policies in most countries are regulated by three United Nations treaties: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.[1][2] Cannabis was reclassified in 2020 to a Schedule I-only drug under the Single Convention treaty (from being a Schedule I and IV drug previously), with the schedules from strictest to least being IV, I, II, and III.[3][4] As a Schedule I drug under the treaty, countries can allow the medical use of cannabis but it is considered to be an addictive drug with a serious risk of abuse.[4][5]
The use of cannabis for recreational purposes is prohibited in most countries; however, many have adopted a policy of decriminalization to make simple possession a non-criminal offense (often similar to a minor traffic violation). Others have much more severe penalties such as some Middle Eastern and Far Eastern countries where possession of even small amounts is punished by imprisonment for several years.[6] Countries that have legalized recreational use of cannabis are Canada, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay, plus 24 states, 3 territories, and the District of Columbia in the United States and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia. Commercial sale of recreational cannabis is legalized nationwide in three countries (Canada, Thailand, and Uruguay) and in all subnational U.S. jurisdictions that have legalized possession except Virginia and Washington, D.C. A policy of limited enforcement has also been adopted in many countries, in particular the Netherlands where the sale of cannabis is tolerated at licensed coffeeshops.[7]
Countries that have legalized medical use of cannabis include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Others have more restrictive laws that allow only the use of certain cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals, such as Sativex, Marinol, or Epidiolex.[8] In the United States, 38 states, 4 territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized the medical use of cannabis, but at the federal level its use remains prohibited.[9]
Legalization timeline
| Countries with legalized recreational cannabis | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Effective date | Licensed sales since |
 Uruguay |
December 2013 | July 2017 |
 Georgia |
30 July 2018 | Never authorized |
 South Africa |
18 September 2018 | Never authorized |
 Canada |
17 October 2018 | 17 October 2018 |
 Mexico |
28 June 2021 | Never authorized |
 Malta |
14 December 2021 | Never authorized |
 Thailand |
9 June 2022 | 9 June 2022 |
 Luxembourg |
21 July 2023 | Never authorized |
 Germany |
1 April 2024 | Never authorized |
By country
| Country/Territory | Recreational | Medical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan
|
Illegal | Illegal | Production banned by King Zahir Shah in 1973.[10] |
 Albania
|
Illegal | Legal | Prohibited but plants highly available throughout the country and law often unenforced.[11][12][13]
On 21 July 2023 the Albanian Parliament voted 69–23 to legalize medical cannabis.[14] |
 Algeria
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Andorra
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Angola
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Antigua and Barbuda
|
Decriminalized. Legal to grow and use by Rastafari.[15] | Illegal | |
 Argentina
|
Illegal[16][17] | Legal | Medicinal cannabis was legalized on 22 September 2017.[18][19] |
 Armenia
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Australia
|
Decriminalized in Northern Territory and South Australia.[20][21] Legal in Australian Capital Territory for personal use but not for sale. | Legal at federal level and in all states.[22] Qualifying conditions and other details vary by state.[23] | In September 2019, the Australian Capital Territory became the first state or territory of Australia to legalize recreational use of cannabis. Since 31 January 2020 residents have been allowed to grow two plants and possess 50 g (1+3⁄4 oz), though sales or other transfer is prohibited, including cannabis seeds. Federal law also remains enforceable.[24] |
 Austria
|
Possession for personal use decriminalized as of January 2016. | Dronabinol, Sativex, Nabilone[25] | |
 Azerbaijan
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Bahamas
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Bahrain
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Bangladesh
|
Illegal but often unenforced | Illegal | Sale banned in 1989,[26] but laws are rarely enforced and cannabis is openly sold in many parts of the country.[27][28] |
 Barbados
|
Legal for spiritual use by registered Rastafarians[29] | Legal[30] | |
 Belarus
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Belgium
|
Decriminalized up to 3 g (1⁄10 oz) or cultivation of one plant | Sativex[31] | Up to 3 g (1⁄10 oz) decriminalized for adults since 2003.[32][33] |
 Belize
|
Decriminalized up to 10 g (3⁄8 oz) | Illegal | Possession prohibited, but use is common and largely tolerated.[34] Possession of up to 10 g (3⁄8 oz) decriminalized.[35] |
 Benin
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Bermuda
|
Decriminalized up to 7 g (1⁄4 oz) | Legal | In November 2016, the Supreme Court of Bermuda ruled in favor of allowing the medical use of cannabis.[36] As of July 2018, two doctors have been licensed to prescribe the drug.[37] |
 Bhutan
|
Illegal | Illegal | Illegal, but plants grow prolifically and have multiple traditional uses, such as feeding pigs and producing textiles.[38] |
 Bolivia
|
Illegal[39] | Illegal[39] | |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
Illegal | Illegal | In 2016, the Ministry of Civil Affairs formed a task force to explore the legalization of cannabis and cannabinoids for medicinal purposes.[40] |
 Botswana
|
Illegal | Illegal | Cannabis (or dagga) is illegal.[41] |
 Brazil
|
Illegal (Misdemeanor) | Legal for terminally ill patients or those who have exhausted other treatment options.[42][43] | Legislation passed in 2006 to require treatment and community service for possessing small amounts of drugs instead of jail time.[44] Possession of large amounts, as well as sale, transportation, and cultivation, are considered drug trafficking.[45] |
 Brunei
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Bulgaria
|
Illegal | Illegal | Cannabis is classified as a class A (High-risk) drug, together with heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, and MDMA (ecstasy). Until 2004, a loosely defined "personal dose" existed.[46] |
 Burkina Faso
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Burundi
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Cambodia
|
Illegal but often unenforced | Illegal | Illegal,[47] but this prohibition is lax and enforced opportunistically.[48][49][50] "Happy" restaurants in cities publicly offer food cooked with marijuana, or as a side garnish.[51] |
 Cameroon
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
| Canada
|
Legal | Legal | Legal for medicinal purposes since 2001 and for recreational purposes since 17 October 2018. The age to buy or consume cannabis varies by province: 19 in most provinces, 18 in Alberta, and 21 in Quebec.[52] |
 Cape Verde
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Central African Republic
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Chad
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Chile
|
Decriminalized for possession and cultivation | Legal | Private personal use[53] and recreational cultivation[54][55][56] decriminalized. Medicinal cultivation legal with the authorization of The Chilean Agriculture Service (SAG)[57] and sale of medication allowed on prescription in pharmacies.[58] |
 People's Republic of China (PRC)
|
Illegal | Illegal | Penalty for possession or consumption: 10–15 days' detention without prosecution and a fine.[59] |
 Colombia
|
Decriminalized up to 22 g (3⁄4 oz) or cultivation of 20 plants for personal use | Legal | Decriminalized up to 22 g (3⁄4 oz) for personal consumption. Individuals carrying greater amounts, or cultivating up to 20 plants, cannot be prosecuted if the drug is for personal use.[60][61][62][63] |
 Comoros
|
Illegal | Illegal | Cannabis was legal in Comoros between January 1975 and May 1978, when president Ali Soilih legalized cannabis consumption among other measures.[64][65] |
 Cook Islands
|
Illegal | Illegal | A non-binding referendum in August 2022 asked "Should we review our cannabis laws to allow for research and medicinal use?" 62% voted yes.[66] |
 Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Republic of the Congo
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Costa Rica
|
Decriminalized[67][68] | Legal[69] | Decriminalized since police officers do not detain people for personal use, yet no amount has been defined as a minimum for possession. Use of cannabis is widespread throughout the country.[67][68] |
 Croatia
|
Decriminalized[70] | Legal[71] | Possession of small amounts is considered a misdemeanor subject to fixed fines. Medicinal cannabis legal for patients with illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, or HIV/AIDS.[71] |
 Cuba
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Cyprus
|
Illegal | Legal[72] | Class B substance – life imprisonment is possible for use and maximum 8 years for possession (at the maximum 2 years for the first offense for people under 25).[73] |
 Czech Republic
|
Decriminalized up to 10 g (3⁄8 oz) or cultivation of 5 plants[74][75] | Legal with prescription. Without prescription, sale of products up to 1% THC allowed.[75] | Possession of up to 10 g (3⁄8 oz) or cultivation of up to 5 plants is an infraction subject to a minor fine – mostly not enforced. Medicinal use legal and regulated since 2013.[76][77] |
 Denmark
|
Illegal | Legal (4-year pilot program launched in January 2018 and was extended an additional 4 years)[78][79] | As with all drugs, cannabis-related offenses are punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 2 years.[80] Freetown Christiania, a self-declared autonomous community in Copenhagen, is known for its cannabis trade.[81] |
 Djibouti
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Dominica
|
Decriminalized up to 28 g (1 oz)[82] | Illegal | |
 Dominican Republic
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 East Timor
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Ecuador
|
Illegal | Legal[83] | Possession of up to 10 g (3⁄8 oz) decriminalized in 2013, but policy was repealed by President Daniel Noboa in 2023.[84] |
 Egypt
|
Illegal but often unenforced | Illegal | Illegal since 1925[85] but use is widespread. Convictions for personal use are rare.[86] Formerly a plant of high status with several documented medicinal uses in ancient times. |
 El Salvador
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Equatorial Guinea
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Eritrea
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Estonia
|
Decriminalized | With a special permit[87] | Up to 7.5 g (1⁄4 oz) is considered an amount for personal use, and is punished with a fine. Large amounts and distribution are criminal offenses punishable with a custodial sentence of up to 5 years.[88] |
 Eswatini (Swaziland)
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Ethiopia
|
Illegal | Illegal | Despite being the spiritual homeland of the Rastafari movement, possession of cannabis can result in up to six months imprisonment.[89] |
 Fiji
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Finland
|
Illegal but sometimes not enforced | Legal under license. | Personal use is generally not prosecuted in court but subject to summary fine. Medicinal cannabis possible under a special license since 2006; in 2014, 223 licenses were issued.[90] |
 France
|
Illegal, but on-the-spot fines are usually issued in place of prosecution | A two-year trial program involving 3,000 patients underway[91] | Possession up to 100 g (3+1⁄2 oz) entails a €200 fine since November 2018,[92] although a judge is still legally able to pronounce a stricter sentence.[93] Medical use of some cannabinoid drugs legalized in 2013.[94][95] |
 Gabon
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Gambia
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
| Georgia
|
Legal for possession and consumption but not for sale, per a July 2018 ruling by the Constitutional Court of Georgia.[96][97] | Use is legal, but no system for the dispensing of cannabis exists. | |
| Germany
|
Legal for possession, consumption, and cultivation since 1 April 2024. Distribution allowed through non-profit cannabis clubs beginning 1 July 2024. | Legal | On 23 February 2024, the German Bundestag passed the Act on the Controlled Use of Cannabis, legalizing possession of 25 g (7⁄8 oz) outside the home, 50 g (1+3⁄4 oz) at home, and private cultivation of three plants, for adults 18 and over, beginning on 1 April 2024. Collective, noncommercial cultivation will be allowed in cultivation associations (i.e. cannabis social clubs) from 1 July 2024.[98][99][100] |
 Ghana
|
Illegal | Legal only for THC less than 0.3%[101][102] | |
 Greece
|
Illegal | Legal | |
 Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat)
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Grenada
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Guatemala
|
Illegal | Illegal | In 2016 a constitutional commission rejected proposals to legalize medicinal or recreational use of cannabis.[103][104] |
 Guinea
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Guinea-Bissau
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Guyana
|
Illegal | Illegal | Possession of 15 g (1⁄2 oz) or over can result in charges of drug trafficking.[105] |
 Haiti
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Honduras
|
Illegal | Illegal | The possession, sale, transportation, and cultivation of cannabis is illegal.[106] |
 Hong Kong
|
Illegal | Illegal | Possession, sale, transportation, and cultivation illegal under the Dangerous Drug Ordinance.[107] (Chapter 134 of the Law of Hong Kong) |
 Hungary
|
Illegal | CBD only[108] | There is no distinction in Hungarian law between illicit drugs according to dangers. Heroin use has the same legal consequences as cannabis use.[109] |
 Iceland
|
Illegal | Illegal | Banned in 1969.[110] Possession of small amounts is subject to arrest and fine but no threat of jail time.[111] |
 India
|
Illegal, but exception is made for the use of bhang.[112] | CBD oil legal, less than 0.3% THC[113] | Albeit illegal, usage is prevalent and some government-owned shops sell cannabis in the form of bhang. States have their own laws regarding cannabis, locally known as ganja. |
 Indonesia
|
Illegal | Illegal | Banned in 1927.[114] Minimum sentence of 4 years in prison (additional fines may apply) if caught dealing / distributing. Rehabilitation or maximum sentence of 4 years if caught in possession alone.[115][116] |
 Iran
|
Illegal, but not strictly enforced | Illegal | Maximum of capital punishment to possess hashish over 5 kg (11 lb)[117] but unenforced.[118] |
 Iraq
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Ireland
|
Illegal[119] | Legal as part of 5-year pilot program enacted in June 2019[120][121] | The National Drugs Strategy of 2009–2016 did not favor decriminalizing cannabis.[122] A new strategy was planned for 2017.[123] Cannabis-derived medicines may be licensed since 2014.[124][125] A review of policy on medicinal cannabis was announced in November 2016,[126] and a private member's bill to legalize it passed second stage in the Dáil in December 2016.[127][128][129] |
 Israel
|
Decriminalized | Legal | As of April 2019, public possession of small amounts is a non-criminal offense punished by escalating fines. A third offense can result in criminal charges, however. Possession in the privacy of one's home is not punished.[130] |
 Italy
|
Possession decriminalized; home cultivation legal in small amounts for personal use.[131] | Legal | Possession of small amounts for personal use is a misdemeanor subject to fines and the suspension of documents (passports or driver's licenses). Sale is punishable by imprisonment, even if in small amounts. Licensed cultivation for medicinal and industrial use strictly regulated.[132] |
 Ivory Coast
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Jamaica
|
Decriminalized up to 56.5 g (2 oz) or cultivation of 5 plants. Legal for Rastafari. | Legal | Decriminalized since 2015, and in 2018 the first medical cannabis dispensary opened.[133] |
 Japan
|
Illegal | CBD only[134][135] | Restricted in 1948.[136] Use and possession are punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine. Cultivation, sale, and transport are punishable by 7–10 years imprisonment and a fine.[137] |
 Jordan
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Kazakhstan
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Kenya
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Kiribati
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Korea, North (DPRK)
|
Illegal, but widely unenforced according to defectors. | Use is legal when prescribed, but no system for the dispensing of cannabis confirmed. | Cannabis is listed in Appendix 1 Narcotics in the DPRK. Narcotics Control Law (2005) states that narcotics may be used when prescribed.[138] There are conflicting reports on the legal status of cannabis in North Korea. Multiple reports from defectors and tourists claim there is no law regarding the possession of cannabis in North Korea or if there is, it is mostly unenforced. However, other reports claim that cannabis is illegal.[139] |
 Korea, South
|
Illegal | Access limited to Epidiolex, Marinol and Sativex as of now due to a policy implemented by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety[140] | Medical use of cannabis was legalized in November 2018. The plant itself, however, remains unavailable due to a policy implemented by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.[141] |
 Kosovo
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Kuwait
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Kyrgyzstan
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Laos
|
Illegal but often unenforced | Illegal | |
 Latvia
|
Illegal[142] | Illegal | Possession of up to 1 g (1⁄28 oz) can result in a €280 fine; for second offenses within a year period, criminal charges are applied. Larger quantities can be punished with up to 15 years in prison. |
 Lebanon
|
Illegal | Legal | Hashish banned in 1926;[143] cultivation banned in 1992.[144] Large amounts of cannabis are still grown within the country illicitly, however.[145] Cultivation of cannabis for medical use was legalized in April 2020.[146] |
 Lesotho
|
Illegal but tolerated | Illegal | Licensed cultivation allowed for export to other countries. Also widely grown for illicit purposes.[147][148] |
 Liberia
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Libya
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Liechtenstein
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Lithuania
|
Illegal | Illegal | Medical cannabis is illegal in Lithuania, but a law allowing seriously ill patients to use drugs made from synthetic cannabinoids was passed by the Seimas on 11 October 2018. |
| Luxembourg
|
Legal to grow up to 4 plants at home for personal consumption. Possession of up to 3 g (1⁄10 oz) outside the home is decriminalized, subject to a fine. Sale remains prohibited.[149][150] | Legal | Decriminalized in 2001.[151] Home use and cultivation legal since 21 July 2023.[149][150] |
 Macau, SAR of China
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Madagascar
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Malawi
|
Illegal | Legal[152] | Illegal but widely used and cultivated; Malawian cannabis is famed internationally for its quality.[153] Chamba is grown mainly in central and northern regions like Mzuzu.[154] |
 Malaysia
|
Illegal | Illegal | Mandatory death penalty for convicted drug traffickers, legally defined as individuals possessing more than 200 g (7 oz) of cannabis.[155] |
 Maldives
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Mali
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
| Malta
|
Legal for possession, consumption, and cultivation. Distribution is allowed through non-profit cannabis clubs. | Legal | On 30 March 2021, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced a proposal to legalize possession of up to 7 g (1⁄4 oz) and the cultivation of up to 4 plants, and for people charged with possession in the past to have it expunged from their criminal records.[156] In December 2021, legislation was passed by the Maltese Parliament and signed into law by President George Vella.[157][158] |
 Marshall Islands
|
Illegal | Illegal | |
 Mauritania
|
Illegal | Illegal | Zdroj:https://en.wikipedia.org?pojem=Legality_of_cannabis_by_country