Cannabis Legal Status Worldwide
A country-by-country breakdown of cannabis legislation in 120 nations — from full legalisation to the death penalty.
Legal Status Key
Fully Legal
(5 countries)
Recreational and medical use are both permitted by law.
Medical Only
(20 countries)
Only authorised medical use is allowed; recreational use remains prohibited.
Decriminalised
(22 countries)
Personal possession is a civil matter, not a criminal offence. Supply remains illegal.
Illegal but Tolerated
(3 countries)
Technically illegal but police rarely enforce laws on small amounts.
Illegal
(62 countries)
Prohibited with criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment.
Death Penalty Risk
(8 countries)
Trafficking (and sometimes possession) can result in capital punishment.
Important: Cannabis laws change frequently. This information is provided for
educational purposes and was accurate at time of publication. Always verify current laws with
official government sources before travelling or making any decisions. Laws can differ between
national and local/state level (especially in federal countries such as the USA, Australia, and Germany).
Africa
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Illegal | None | Illegal with criminal penalties. Major transit country for Moroccan hashish. | ||
| Angola | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Cameroon | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional use widespread in some communities. | ||
| Côte d'Ivoire | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Democratic Republic of Congo | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Widespread traditional use. | ||
| Egypt | Illegal | None | Very strict. Cannabis schedule 1 equivalent. Severe penalties including imprisonment. Traditional hashish (bango) use persistent historically but criminalised. | ||
| Eswatini | Illegal | None | Medical cultivation licences granted. Recreational illegal. Known informally as Swaziland Gold — historically major cannabis producer. | ||
| Ethiopia | Illegal | None | Illegal. Criminal penalties. Traditional khat use is legal and widely practised but cannabis is not. | ||
| Ghana | Illegal | None | Illegal. Penalties up to 10 years for possession. Medical reform discussions ongoing. | ||
| Kenya | Illegal | None | Illegal. Criminal penalties. Industrial hemp licences granted to a small number of academic institutions. | ||
| Lesotho | Medical Only | None (medical only) | First African country to grant medical cannabis cultivation licences (2017). Export-focused industry. Personal recreational use illegal. | ||
| Madagascar | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Widespread use despite illegality. | ||
| Malawi | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis licensed since 2020. Traditional cultivation ("chamba") widespread but illegal for recreational use. | ||
| Morocco | Medical Only | None (medical/industrial only) | World's largest cannabis resin (hashish) producer. Law 13-21 (2021) legalised industrial and medical cultivation but recreational use remains criminal. | ||
| Mozambique | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Nigeria | Illegal | None | Illegal with severe criminal penalties. Enforcement varies significantly by state. Reform discussions present in public debate. | ||
| Rwanda | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis cultivation legalised for licensed export companies. Personal use criminal. | ||
| Senegal | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Reform discussions present. | ||
| South Africa | Decriminalised | Private use and cultivation for personal use at home | Constitutional Court ruling September 2018 decriminalised private adult use and home cultivation. Sale and public use remain illegal. Medical cannabis regulatory framework under development. | ||
| Tanzania | Illegal | None | Strict enforcement. Criminal penalties for possession. | ||
| Tunisia | Illegal | None | Law 52 (1992): possession of any amount may result in mandatory 1-year prison sentence. Major reform movement demanding repeal underway. | ||
| Zambia | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Industrial hemp licences granted. | ||
| Zimbabwe | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medicinal Cannabis Policy 2018 — licensed cultivation for medical and scientific purposes. Personal use criminal. |
Asia
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Illegal | None | Taliban government (from 2021) attempted to ban cannabis cultivation, which had been the world's largest. Enforcement inconsistent. Extensive traditional use of hashish (chars). | ||
| Bahrain | Death Penalty Risk | None | Trafficking: death penalty possible. Possession: imprisonment. | ||
| Cambodia | Illegal | None | Cannabis removed from narcotics list 2021 but re-added 2024 under new government. Historically very tolerant; now enforcement increasing. | ||
| China | Illegal | None | Strict prohibition. Possession criminal — penalties range from administrative detention to imprisonment. Major industrial hemp producer for export, however. CBD for domestic consumption not approved. | ||
| Georgia (country) | Decriminalised | Personal use amounts | Constitutional Court decriminalised consumption 2018. Possession and supply remain criminal. | ||
| India | Illegal but Tolerated | Bhang (leaf preparation) legal in many states | Bhang (a leaf and stem preparation) legally sold in licensed shops in several states for religious festivals. Cannabis flowers and resin criminal under NDPS Act 1985. Enforcement varies enormously by region. | ||
| Indonesia | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking: maximum death penalty. Possession: up to 4 years, potentially more under aggravated circumstances. Zero tolerance. Bali tourists have received lengthy sentences. | ||
| Iran | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking (including cannabis above threshold amounts) carries death penalty. Personal possession: severe imprisonment. One of the world's highest per-capita execution rates for drug offences. | ||
| Iraq | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Israel | Medical Only | None (medical only) | One of the world's most advanced medical cannabis programmes since 1990s. Personal decriminalisation (civil fine) implemented 2019. Recreational reform politically active. | ||
| Japan | Illegal | None | Very strict. Possession criminal — up to 5 years for personal possession. Even CBD derived from seed or stem only is legal; CBD from flowers/leaves illegal. Zero tolerance cultural attitude. | ||
| Jordan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. No medical programme. | ||
| Kazakhstan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional cannabis use present culturally. | ||
| Kuwait | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking can attract death penalty. Personal possession: imprisonment. | ||
| Kyrgyzstan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Lebanon | Decriminalised | None formally defined | Law 2020 legalised industrial hemp and medical cannabis cultivation. Personal possession decriminalised in 2020 legislation. Traditional cannabis cultivation (for hashish) ancient and widespread in Bekaa Valley. | ||
| Malaysia | Death Penalty Risk | None | Possession of 200g or more cannabis triggers presumption of trafficking with mandatory death penalty. Lesser amounts: severe imprisonment. Reforms discussed but not enacted. | ||
| Myanmar | Illegal | None | Illegal. Significant opium producing country but cannabis also present. Criminal penalties. | ||
| Nepal | Illegal | None | Decriminalised until 1973, then recriminalised under US pressure. Medical reform discussions ongoing. Traditional Himalayan charas (hand-rolled hash) culturally significant. | ||
| Oman | Death Penalty Risk | None | Trafficking: death penalty possible. Possession: up to 30 years. | ||
| Pakistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional charas (hashish) use culturally present in some areas but legally prohibited. | ||
| Philippines | Illegal | None | Under Duterte administration (2016-2022): extrajudicial killings of drug users and dealers widespread. Current administration maintains strict prohibition. Medical cannabis bill proposed but not passed. | ||
| Qatar | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Foreign nationals may be deported. | ||
| Saudi Arabia | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking: mandatory death penalty (beheading). Personal possession: imprisonment and/or flogging. Executions for drug offences carried out regularly. | ||
| Singapore | Death Penalty Risk | None | Among the world's harshest cannabis laws. Possession of 500g or more: mandatory death penalty. Lesser amounts: up to 10 years imprisonment and caning. Zero tolerance rigorously enforced. | ||
| South Korea | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis legal since 2018. Strict prohibition otherwise — South Korean citizens can face prosecution for cannabis use abroad. | ||
| Tajikistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Thailand | Medical Only | 5mg THC per serving (food/drink products) | Groundbreaking legalisation 2022 removed cannabis from narcotics list. Subsequently recriminalised for recreational use 2024 — medical use and licenced products remain legal. Rapid policy reversal created uncertainty. | ||
| Turkey | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties for possession. Medical hemp/CBD regulated. Industrial hemp cultivation licensed. | ||
| Turkmenistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Very closed society. | ||
| United Arab Emirates | Illegal | None | Zero tolerance. Possession of any amount criminal — minimum 4 years imprisonment. Testing positive for cannabis in blood or urine is itself a criminal offence. Tourists have been arrested at the airport for traces. | ||
| Uzbekistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Soviet-era prohibition. | ||
| Vietnam | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties for possession. Drug trafficking severe — potentially capital punishment. | ||
| Yemen | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Conflict has made enforcement inconsistent. |
Europe
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Illegal | None | Strict enforcement. Criminal penalties. Major cannabis producing country (Lazarat region had significant production before crackdowns). | ||
| Austria | Decriminalised | 5 g | Possession of small amounts treated as health issue since 2016 reform. Medical CBD products available. THC cannabis medical access very limited. | ||
| Belarus | Illegal | None | Strict prohibition. Criminal penalties. | ||
| Belgium | Decriminalised | 3 g | Possession of up to 3g decriminalised. Medical cannabis legal. Cannabis clubs proposed but not yet enacted. | ||
| Croatia | Decriminalised | Up to 3g personal use | Possession up to 3g decriminalised (administrative fine). Medical cannabis available since 2015. | ||
| Czech Republic | Decriminalised | 10 g | Possession up to 10g decriminalised (civil offence). Medical cannabis legal since 2013. Recreational retail legalisation under active political debate as of 2024. | ||
| Denmark | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis pilot programme since 2018. Recreational possession criminal. Christiania in Copenhagen historically tolerated an open cannabis market, though enforcement increased from 2023. | ||
| Estonia | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis prescribable. Personal possession criminal — up to 2 years for small amounts. | ||
| Finland | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis legally prescribable since 2008. Recreational possession criminal — fines for small amounts, imprisonment possible for larger quantities. | ||
| France | Illegal | None — fixed penalty of €200 | Europe's largest consumer population but fully illegal. Medical CBD only. Fixed-penalty fine of €200 for possession since 2018. Political pressure for reform growing but no imminent change. | ||
| Georgia | Decriminalised | Personal use amounts | Constitutional Court ruling in 2018 decriminalised consumption. Possession and supply remain illegal with criminal penalties. | ||
| Germany | Fully Legal | 50 g in public, 3 plants at home | Cannabis Act (April 2024): adults 18+ may possess 25g in public, 50g at home, grow 3 plants. Cannabis clubs licensed for communal growing. | ||
| Greece | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis legal since 2017. Recreational possession illegal but enforcement is generally modest. Cannabis cultivation for medical export legally permitted. | ||
| Hungary | Illegal | None | Among the strictest in EU. Possession of any amount may result in criminal prosecution. No medical cannabis programme. | ||
| Ireland | Decriminalised | Up to defined personal use amounts | Government health diversion programme for personal possession since 2023 — possession referred to health services rather than prosecution. Medical cannabis access programme (MCAP) since 2019. | ||
| Italy | Decriminalised | 500 mg THC personal use | Cultivation of up to 4 female plants tolerated by court precedent. Medical cannabis legal (and reimbursed in some regions). Recreational retail remains illegal. | ||
| Latvia | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis legal. Possession criminal. | ||
| Lithuania | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis available. Possession criminal — up to 2 years for small amounts. | ||
| Luxembourg | Fully Legal | 3 g in public | Legalised personal cultivation (4 plants, indoor only) 2023. Retail sales framework announced for 2025. | ||
| Malta | Fully Legal | 7 g in public, 50 g at home | First EU nation to legalise (December 2021). Adults 18+ may grow up to 4 plants. Non-profit cannabis associations permitted. | ||
| Netherlands | Illegal but Tolerated | 5 g (coffee shops) | Gedoogbeleid tolerance policy since 1976. Licensed coffee shops may sell up to 5g per customer. Cultivation still technically illegal but tolerated at small scale. Controlled supply experiment began 2023. | ||
| North Macedonia | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis programme established. Possession criminal otherwise. | ||
| Norway | Decriminalised | None — referral to health services | Drug reform 2021 introduced health-oriented approach to personal drug possession, though criminal sanctions remain on the books. Medical cannabis access limited. | ||
| Poland | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis legal since 2017, but access is limited and expensive. Recreational use criminal with penalties up to 3 years imprisonment. | ||
| Portugal | Decriminalised | 10-day personal supply | Landmark decriminalisation 2001 — all drug possession is a public health matter, not criminal. Medical cannabis legal since 2018. No recreational retail market. | ||
| Romania | Illegal | None | Very strict. Cannabis possession criminal with potentially severe penalties. No medical programme. CBD legal only with <0.2% THC. | ||
| Russia | Illegal | Up to 6g considered small amount but still criminal | Possession criminal — up to 15 years for supply. Medical cannabis not available. CBD status uncertain. Enforcement is inconsistent by region. | ||
| Serbia | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties for possession. Medical CBD with prescription. | ||
| Slovakia | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. No medical programme. | ||
| Slovenia | Decriminalised | Up to 5g personal use | Possession up to 5g decriminalised (civil fine). Medical CBD available. | ||
| Spain | Illegal but Tolerated | No defined limit (private) | Consumption and cultivation for personal use in private is tolerated. Cannabis clubs operate in grey area in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Sale in public is illegal. | ||
| Sweden | Illegal | None | Strict enforcement. Zero tolerance policy. Medical cannabis prescribable in theory but access is extremely limited in practice. One of Europe's most restrictive cannabis jurisdictions. | ||
| Switzerland | Decriminalised | 10 g | Possession up to 10g decriminalised. Medical cannabis legal. Pilot recreational retail programmes launched in several cities (Zurich, Basel) 2023-2024 for research. | ||
| Ukraine | Medical Only | Under development | Medical legalisation bill passed 2022. Implementation ongoing. Recreational use criminal. | ||
| Ukraine | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis legalisation proposed and debated. Recreational use illegal with criminal penalties. | ||
| United Kingdom | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis prescribed since 2018. Recreational possession illegal — Class B offence (up to 5 years). CBD products legal if <1mg THC per container. Scotland's Lord Advocate issued guidelines de-prioritising prosecution of personal use. |
North America
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belize | Decriminalised | 10 g | Decriminalised in 2017 — possession up to 10g is a civil matter. | ||
| Canada | Fully Legal | 30 g in public | National legalisation October 2018 under Cannabis Act. Adults 18+ (19+ in some provinces). Licensed retail stores. 4 plants per household. Federal regulatory framework. | ||
| Costa Rica | Decriminalised | Up to 3g personal use | Decriminalised for personal use 2024. Medical cannabis production legalised for pharmaceutical and export purposes 2022. | ||
| Cuba | Illegal | None | State socialist prohibition. Criminal penalties. | ||
| Dominican Republic | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Tourist enforcement variable. | ||
| El Salvador | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Guatemala | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Medical CBD oil available via prescription. | ||
| Haiti | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional use widespread in rural areas. | ||
| Honduras | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Significant transit country for cannabis trafficking. | ||
| Jamaica | Decriminalised | 2 oz (56g) | Dangerous Drugs Act amended 2015: possession up to 2oz decriminalised (small fixed penalty). Rastafari religious use exempt. Medical and scientific licences available. "Herb houses" tolerated in some areas. | ||
| Mexico | Decriminalised | 5 g | Supreme Court ruled prohibition unconstitutional 2021. COFEPRIS regulatory framework under development. Medical legal. Retail market still developing. | ||
| Panama | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Reform discussions present. | ||
| Puerto Rico | Medical Only | None (medical only, US territory) | Medical cannabis programme since 2015 as US territory. Federal law applies. | ||
| Trinidad and Tobago | Decriminalised | 30 g | Decriminalised for personal use. Penalties for larger amounts remain. | ||
| United States | Medical Only | Varies by state | Federal Schedule I — illegal nationally. 24 states + DC have legalised recreational use. 38 states have medical programmes. Possession federal crime on federal land regardless of state law. |
Oceania
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Medical Only | Varies by territory (some states decriminalised) | National medical programme since 2016. ACT (Australian Capital Territory) legalised personal possession and cultivation 2020 (federal conflict exists). Other states vary from decriminalised to criminal. | ||
| New Zealand | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis scheme since 2020. Recreational referendum 2020 failed 53.4% to 46.1%. Personal possession treated leniently in practice in many areas. |
South America
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Medical Only | Up to 40g (personal) | Medical cannabis law 2017, expanded 2020 to include home growing for medical patients. Personal use decriminalised in practice since 2009 Supreme Court ruling. | ||
| Bolivia | Illegal | None — small amounts tolerated in practice | Traditional coca use is constitutionally protected; cannabis has no such protection. Criminal penalties for possession. | ||
| Brazil | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis products approved by ANVISA since 2015, expanded 2019. Recreational possession criminal but decriminalisation widely applied in practice for personal amounts. | ||
| Chile | Decriminalised | Up to 10g | Medical cannabis regulated since 2015. Personal possession decriminalised (health approach). Supply illegal. | ||
| Colombia | Decriminalised | 22 g personal possession | Constitutional Court ruled personal dose (22g) protected 1994. Medical cannabis industry well-established with export programmes. Recreational retail legal framework under debate. | ||
| Ecuador | Decriminalised | Up to 10g | Constitutional Court decriminalised possession of personal use amounts 2019. No formal medical programme. | ||
| Paraguay | Illegal | None | Major cannabis producing country but use is illegal. Heavy criminal penalties. | ||
| Peru | Medical Only | 8g personal use | Medical cannabis law 2017. Personal possession decriminalised to 8g in practice. Supply fully illegal. | ||
| Uruguay | Fully Legal | 40 g/month registered | First country in the world to fully nationalise cannabis market (2013). Registered users may purchase from pharmacies (40g/month), grow 6 plants, or join a cannabis club. Non-citizens cannot purchase from pharmacies. | ||
| Venezuela | Illegal | None | Possession criminal. No medical programme. |
Africa (23 countries)
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Illegal | None | Illegal with criminal penalties. Major transit country for Moroccan hashish. | ||
| Angola | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Cameroon | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional use widespread in some communities. | ||
| Côte d'Ivoire | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Democratic Republic of Congo | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Widespread traditional use. | ||
| Egypt | Illegal | None | Very strict. Cannabis schedule 1 equivalent. Severe penalties including imprisonment. Traditional hashish (bango) use persistent historically but criminalised. | ||
| Eswatini | Illegal | None | Medical cultivation licences granted. Recreational illegal. Known informally as Swaziland Gold — historically major cannabis producer. | ||
| Ethiopia | Illegal | None | Illegal. Criminal penalties. Traditional khat use is legal and widely practised but cannabis is not. | ||
| Ghana | Illegal | None | Illegal. Penalties up to 10 years for possession. Medical reform discussions ongoing. | ||
| Kenya | Illegal | None | Illegal. Criminal penalties. Industrial hemp licences granted to a small number of academic institutions. | ||
| Lesotho | Medical Only | None (medical only) | First African country to grant medical cannabis cultivation licences (2017). Export-focused industry. Personal recreational use illegal. | ||
| Madagascar | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Widespread use despite illegality. | ||
| Malawi | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis licensed since 2020. Traditional cultivation ("chamba") widespread but illegal for recreational use. | ||
| Morocco | Medical Only | None (medical/industrial only) | World's largest cannabis resin (hashish) producer. Law 13-21 (2021) legalised industrial and medical cultivation but recreational use remains criminal. | ||
| Mozambique | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Nigeria | Illegal | None | Illegal with severe criminal penalties. Enforcement varies significantly by state. Reform discussions present in public debate. | ||
| Rwanda | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis cultivation legalised for licensed export companies. Personal use criminal. | ||
| Senegal | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Reform discussions present. | ||
| South Africa | Decriminalised | Private use and cultivation for personal use at home | Constitutional Court ruling September 2018 decriminalised private adult use and home cultivation. Sale and public use remain illegal. Medical cannabis regulatory framework under development. | ||
| Tanzania | Illegal | None | Strict enforcement. Criminal penalties for possession. | ||
| Tunisia | Illegal | None | Law 52 (1992): possession of any amount may result in mandatory 1-year prison sentence. Major reform movement demanding repeal underway. | ||
| Zambia | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Industrial hemp licences granted. | ||
| Zimbabwe | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medicinal Cannabis Policy 2018 — licensed cultivation for medical and scientific purposes. Personal use criminal. |
Asia (34 countries)
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Illegal | None | Taliban government (from 2021) attempted to ban cannabis cultivation, which had been the world's largest. Enforcement inconsistent. Extensive traditional use of hashish (chars). | ||
| Bahrain | Death Penalty Risk | None | Trafficking: death penalty possible. Possession: imprisonment. | ||
| Cambodia | Illegal | None | Cannabis removed from narcotics list 2021 but re-added 2024 under new government. Historically very tolerant; now enforcement increasing. | ||
| China | Illegal | None | Strict prohibition. Possession criminal — penalties range from administrative detention to imprisonment. Major industrial hemp producer for export, however. CBD for domestic consumption not approved. | ||
| Georgia (country) | Decriminalised | Personal use amounts | Constitutional Court decriminalised consumption 2018. Possession and supply remain criminal. | ||
| India | Illegal but Tolerated | Bhang (leaf preparation) legal in many states | Bhang (a leaf and stem preparation) legally sold in licensed shops in several states for religious festivals. Cannabis flowers and resin criminal under NDPS Act 1985. Enforcement varies enormously by region. | ||
| Indonesia | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking: maximum death penalty. Possession: up to 4 years, potentially more under aggravated circumstances. Zero tolerance. Bali tourists have received lengthy sentences. | ||
| Iran | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking (including cannabis above threshold amounts) carries death penalty. Personal possession: severe imprisonment. One of the world's highest per-capita execution rates for drug offences. | ||
| Iraq | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Israel | Medical Only | None (medical only) | One of the world's most advanced medical cannabis programmes since 1990s. Personal decriminalisation (civil fine) implemented 2019. Recreational reform politically active. | ||
| Japan | Illegal | None | Very strict. Possession criminal — up to 5 years for personal possession. Even CBD derived from seed or stem only is legal; CBD from flowers/leaves illegal. Zero tolerance cultural attitude. | ||
| Jordan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. No medical programme. | ||
| Kazakhstan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional cannabis use present culturally. | ||
| Kuwait | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking can attract death penalty. Personal possession: imprisonment. | ||
| Kyrgyzstan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Lebanon | Decriminalised | None formally defined | Law 2020 legalised industrial hemp and medical cannabis cultivation. Personal possession decriminalised in 2020 legislation. Traditional cannabis cultivation (for hashish) ancient and widespread in Bekaa Valley. | ||
| Malaysia | Death Penalty Risk | None | Possession of 200g or more cannabis triggers presumption of trafficking with mandatory death penalty. Lesser amounts: severe imprisonment. Reforms discussed but not enacted. | ||
| Myanmar | Illegal | None | Illegal. Significant opium producing country but cannabis also present. Criminal penalties. | ||
| Nepal | Illegal | None | Decriminalised until 1973, then recriminalised under US pressure. Medical reform discussions ongoing. Traditional Himalayan charas (hand-rolled hash) culturally significant. | ||
| Oman | Death Penalty Risk | None | Trafficking: death penalty possible. Possession: up to 30 years. | ||
| Pakistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional charas (hashish) use culturally present in some areas but legally prohibited. | ||
| Philippines | Illegal | None | Under Duterte administration (2016-2022): extrajudicial killings of drug users and dealers widespread. Current administration maintains strict prohibition. Medical cannabis bill proposed but not passed. | ||
| Qatar | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Foreign nationals may be deported. | ||
| Saudi Arabia | Death Penalty Risk | None | Drug trafficking: mandatory death penalty (beheading). Personal possession: imprisonment and/or flogging. Executions for drug offences carried out regularly. | ||
| Singapore | Death Penalty Risk | None | Among the world's harshest cannabis laws. Possession of 500g or more: mandatory death penalty. Lesser amounts: up to 10 years imprisonment and caning. Zero tolerance rigorously enforced. | ||
| South Korea | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis legal since 2018. Strict prohibition otherwise — South Korean citizens can face prosecution for cannabis use abroad. | ||
| Tajikistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Thailand | Medical Only | 5mg THC per serving (food/drink products) | Groundbreaking legalisation 2022 removed cannabis from narcotics list. Subsequently recriminalised for recreational use 2024 — medical use and licenced products remain legal. Rapid policy reversal created uncertainty. | ||
| Turkey | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties for possession. Medical hemp/CBD regulated. Industrial hemp cultivation licensed. | ||
| Turkmenistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Very closed society. | ||
| United Arab Emirates | Illegal | None | Zero tolerance. Possession of any amount criminal — minimum 4 years imprisonment. Testing positive for cannabis in blood or urine is itself a criminal offence. Tourists have been arrested at the airport for traces. | ||
| Uzbekistan | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Soviet-era prohibition. | ||
| Vietnam | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties for possession. Drug trafficking severe — potentially capital punishment. | ||
| Yemen | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Conflict has made enforcement inconsistent. |
Europe (36 countries)
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Illegal | None | Strict enforcement. Criminal penalties. Major cannabis producing country (Lazarat region had significant production before crackdowns). | ||
| Austria | Decriminalised | 5 g | Possession of small amounts treated as health issue since 2016 reform. Medical CBD products available. THC cannabis medical access very limited. | ||
| Belarus | Illegal | None | Strict prohibition. Criminal penalties. | ||
| Belgium | Decriminalised | 3 g | Possession of up to 3g decriminalised. Medical cannabis legal. Cannabis clubs proposed but not yet enacted. | ||
| Croatia | Decriminalised | Up to 3g personal use | Possession up to 3g decriminalised (administrative fine). Medical cannabis available since 2015. | ||
| Czech Republic | Decriminalised | 10 g | Possession up to 10g decriminalised (civil offence). Medical cannabis legal since 2013. Recreational retail legalisation under active political debate as of 2024. | ||
| Denmark | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis pilot programme since 2018. Recreational possession criminal. Christiania in Copenhagen historically tolerated an open cannabis market, though enforcement increased from 2023. | ||
| Estonia | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis prescribable. Personal possession criminal — up to 2 years for small amounts. | ||
| Finland | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis legally prescribable since 2008. Recreational possession criminal — fines for small amounts, imprisonment possible for larger quantities. | ||
| France | Illegal | None — fixed penalty of €200 | Europe's largest consumer population but fully illegal. Medical CBD only. Fixed-penalty fine of €200 for possession since 2018. Political pressure for reform growing but no imminent change. | ||
| Georgia | Decriminalised | Personal use amounts | Constitutional Court ruling in 2018 decriminalised consumption. Possession and supply remain illegal with criminal penalties. | ||
| Germany | Fully Legal | 50 g in public, 3 plants at home | Cannabis Act (April 2024): adults 18+ may possess 25g in public, 50g at home, grow 3 plants. Cannabis clubs licensed for communal growing. | ||
| Greece | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis legal since 2017. Recreational possession illegal but enforcement is generally modest. Cannabis cultivation for medical export legally permitted. | ||
| Hungary | Illegal | None | Among the strictest in EU. Possession of any amount may result in criminal prosecution. No medical cannabis programme. | ||
| Ireland | Decriminalised | Up to defined personal use amounts | Government health diversion programme for personal possession since 2023 — possession referred to health services rather than prosecution. Medical cannabis access programme (MCAP) since 2019. | ||
| Italy | Decriminalised | 500 mg THC personal use | Cultivation of up to 4 female plants tolerated by court precedent. Medical cannabis legal (and reimbursed in some regions). Recreational retail remains illegal. | ||
| Latvia | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis legal. Possession criminal. | ||
| Lithuania | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis available. Possession criminal — up to 2 years for small amounts. | ||
| Luxembourg | Fully Legal | 3 g in public | Legalised personal cultivation (4 plants, indoor only) 2023. Retail sales framework announced for 2025. | ||
| Malta | Fully Legal | 7 g in public, 50 g at home | First EU nation to legalise (December 2021). Adults 18+ may grow up to 4 plants. Non-profit cannabis associations permitted. | ||
| Netherlands | Illegal but Tolerated | 5 g (coffee shops) | Gedoogbeleid tolerance policy since 1976. Licensed coffee shops may sell up to 5g per customer. Cultivation still technically illegal but tolerated at small scale. Controlled supply experiment began 2023. | ||
| North Macedonia | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis programme established. Possession criminal otherwise. | ||
| Norway | Decriminalised | None — referral to health services | Drug reform 2021 introduced health-oriented approach to personal drug possession, though criminal sanctions remain on the books. Medical cannabis access limited. | ||
| Poland | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis legal since 2017, but access is limited and expensive. Recreational use criminal with penalties up to 3 years imprisonment. | ||
| Portugal | Decriminalised | 10-day personal supply | Landmark decriminalisation 2001 — all drug possession is a public health matter, not criminal. Medical cannabis legal since 2018. No recreational retail market. | ||
| Romania | Illegal | None | Very strict. Cannabis possession criminal with potentially severe penalties. No medical programme. CBD legal only with <0.2% THC. | ||
| Russia | Illegal | Up to 6g considered small amount but still criminal | Possession criminal — up to 15 years for supply. Medical cannabis not available. CBD status uncertain. Enforcement is inconsistent by region. | ||
| Serbia | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties for possession. Medical CBD with prescription. | ||
| Slovakia | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. No medical programme. | ||
| Slovenia | Decriminalised | Up to 5g personal use | Possession up to 5g decriminalised (civil fine). Medical CBD available. | ||
| Spain | Illegal but Tolerated | No defined limit (private) | Consumption and cultivation for personal use in private is tolerated. Cannabis clubs operate in grey area in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Sale in public is illegal. | ||
| Sweden | Illegal | None | Strict enforcement. Zero tolerance policy. Medical cannabis prescribable in theory but access is extremely limited in practice. One of Europe's most restrictive cannabis jurisdictions. | ||
| Switzerland | Decriminalised | 10 g | Possession up to 10g decriminalised. Medical cannabis legal. Pilot recreational retail programmes launched in several cities (Zurich, Basel) 2023-2024 for research. | ||
| Ukraine | Medical Only | Under development | Medical legalisation bill passed 2022. Implementation ongoing. Recreational use criminal. | ||
| Ukraine | Illegal | None | Medical cannabis legalisation proposed and debated. Recreational use illegal with criminal penalties. | ||
| United Kingdom | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis prescribed since 2018. Recreational possession illegal — Class B offence (up to 5 years). CBD products legal if <1mg THC per container. Scotland's Lord Advocate issued guidelines de-prioritising prosecution of personal use. |
North America (15 countries)
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belize | Decriminalised | 10 g | Decriminalised in 2017 — possession up to 10g is a civil matter. | ||
| Canada | Fully Legal | 30 g in public | National legalisation October 2018 under Cannabis Act. Adults 18+ (19+ in some provinces). Licensed retail stores. 4 plants per household. Federal regulatory framework. | ||
| Costa Rica | Decriminalised | Up to 3g personal use | Decriminalised for personal use 2024. Medical cannabis production legalised for pharmaceutical and export purposes 2022. | ||
| Cuba | Illegal | None | State socialist prohibition. Criminal penalties. | ||
| Dominican Republic | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Tourist enforcement variable. | ||
| El Salvador | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. | ||
| Guatemala | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Medical CBD oil available via prescription. | ||
| Haiti | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Traditional use widespread in rural areas. | ||
| Honduras | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Significant transit country for cannabis trafficking. | ||
| Jamaica | Decriminalised | 2 oz (56g) | Dangerous Drugs Act amended 2015: possession up to 2oz decriminalised (small fixed penalty). Rastafari religious use exempt. Medical and scientific licences available. "Herb houses" tolerated in some areas. | ||
| Mexico | Decriminalised | 5 g | Supreme Court ruled prohibition unconstitutional 2021. COFEPRIS regulatory framework under development. Medical legal. Retail market still developing. | ||
| Panama | Illegal | None | Criminal penalties. Reform discussions present. | ||
| Puerto Rico | Medical Only | None (medical only, US territory) | Medical cannabis programme since 2015 as US territory. Federal law applies. | ||
| Trinidad and Tobago | Decriminalised | 30 g | Decriminalised for personal use. Penalties for larger amounts remain. | ||
| United States | Medical Only | Varies by state | Federal Schedule I — illegal nationally. 24 states + DC have legalised recreational use. 38 states have medical programmes. Possession federal crime on federal land regardless of state law. |
Oceania (2 countries)
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Medical Only | Varies by territory (some states decriminalised) | National medical programme since 2016. ACT (Australian Capital Territory) legalised personal possession and cultivation 2020 (federal conflict exists). Other states vary from decriminalised to criminal. | ||
| New Zealand | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis scheme since 2020. Recreational referendum 2020 failed 53.4% to 46.1%. Personal possession treated leniently in practice in many areas. |
South America (10 countries)
| Country | Status | Recreational | Medical | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Medical Only | Up to 40g (personal) | Medical cannabis law 2017, expanded 2020 to include home growing for medical patients. Personal use decriminalised in practice since 2009 Supreme Court ruling. | ||
| Bolivia | Illegal | None — small amounts tolerated in practice | Traditional coca use is constitutionally protected; cannabis has no such protection. Criminal penalties for possession. | ||
| Brazil | Medical Only | None (medical only) | Medical cannabis products approved by ANVISA since 2015, expanded 2019. Recreational possession criminal but decriminalisation widely applied in practice for personal amounts. | ||
| Chile | Decriminalised | Up to 10g | Medical cannabis regulated since 2015. Personal possession decriminalised (health approach). Supply illegal. | ||
| Colombia | Decriminalised | 22 g personal possession | Constitutional Court ruled personal dose (22g) protected 1994. Medical cannabis industry well-established with export programmes. Recreational retail legal framework under debate. | ||
| Ecuador | Decriminalised | Up to 10g | Constitutional Court decriminalised possession of personal use amounts 2019. No formal medical programme. | ||
| Paraguay | Illegal | None | Major cannabis producing country but use is illegal. Heavy criminal penalties. | ||
| Peru | Medical Only | 8g personal use | Medical cannabis law 2017. Personal possession decriminalised to 8g in practice. Supply fully illegal. | ||
| Uruguay | Fully Legal | 40 g/month registered | First country in the world to fully nationalise cannabis market (2013). Registered users may purchase from pharmacies (40g/month), grow 6 plants, or join a cannabis club. Non-citizens cannot purchase from pharmacies. | ||
| Venezuela | Illegal | None | Possession criminal. No medical programme. |