In recent years, cannabis legalization has transformed from a fringe issue into a mainstream policy debate, reshaping markets, industries, and social norms worldwide. With varying laws and regulations across countries and regions, the global cannabis landscape can be complex and challenging to navigate. As more nations explore decriminalization, medical use, and full-scale legalization, understanding where cannabis is legal—and under what circumstances—has become crucial for businesses and consumers alike. This article lists only countries where a regulated cannabis market has been established for at least medical patients.
| Country | Medical | Recreational | Regulators | |
| Albania | Yes | No | Ministry of Health and Social Protection | |
| Argentina | Yes | No | ANMAT | |
| Australia | Yes | Use decriminalized by state; sale prohibited | Office of Drug Control | |
| Barbados | Yes | Legal for spiritual use; sale prohibited | BMCLA | |
| Bermuda | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Medical Cannabis Authority | |
| Brazil | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) | |
| Canada | Yes | Yes | Canada Health | |
| Chile | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Ministry of Health | |
| Colombia | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Ministry of Health | |
| Costa Rica | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Ministry of Health | |
| Croatia | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (HALMED) | |
| Cyprus | Yes | No | Ministry of Health | |
| Czech Republic | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | State Agency for Medicinal Cannabis (SAKL) | |
| Ecuador | Yes | No | Agency for Health Regulation, Control and Surveillance (ARCSA) | |
| Finland | Yes | No | Finnish Medicines Agency | |
| France | Pilot program underway; legalization expected in 2025 | No | National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) | |
| Georgia | Yes, but no dispensing program operable | Legal for possession and consumption; sale prohibited | Narcotics Control Agency | |
| Germany | Yes | Yes | Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) | |
| Ghana | Yes | No | Narcotics Control Commission | |
| Greece | Yes | No | National Organization for Medicines | |
| Hungary | CBD only | No | National Food Chain Safety Authority | |
| India | Low-CBD only | Bhang only | ||
| Ireland | Yes | No | Health Products Regulatory Authority | |
| Israel | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | IMCA | |
| Italy | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | AIFA | |
| Jamaica | Yes | Use decriminalized; legal for spiritual use; sale prohibited | The Cannabis Licensing Authority | |
| Japan | CBD only | No | Ministry of Health | |
| Lebanon | Yes | No | Regulatory Authority for Cannabis Cultivation | |
| Luxembourg | Yes | Personal cultivation and use legal; sale prohibited | Health Ministry | |
| Malawi | Yes | No | The Cannabis Regulatory Authority | |
| Malta | Yes | Yes | The Malta Medicines Authority | |
| Mexico | Yes, but no system for dispensing exists | Personal cultivation and use legal; sale prohibited | SENASICA | |
| Morocco | Yes | No | The National Agency for Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities | |
| Netherlands | Yes | Pilot program underway | The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority | |
| New Zealand | Yes | No | The Medicinal Cannabis Agency | |
| North Macedonia | Yes | No | Ministry of Health | |
| Norway | Yes | No | Norwegian Medicines Agency | |
| Pakistan | CBD only | No | Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority | |
| Panama | Yes | No | Ministry of Health | |
| Peru | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | The General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies and Drugs | |
| Poland | Yes | Below 0.3% THC only | ||
| Portugal | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Infarmed I.P. | |
| Romania | Below 0.2% THC only | No | ||
| Rwanda | Yes | No | Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) | |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | Medicinal Cannabis Authority | |
| San Marino | Yes | No | ||
| Singapore | CBD only | No | Health Sciences Authority | |
| Slovakia | CBD only | No | ||
| Slovenia | CBD only | No | Ministry of Health | |
| South Africa | Yes | Legal for possession and use; sale prohibited | South African Health Products Regulatory Authority | |
| Spain | Yes | Use decriminalized; sale prohibited | AEMPS | |
| Sri Lanka | Yes | No | Ministry of Health | |
| Sweden | Yes | No | ||
| Switzerland | Yes | Pilot program initiated in March 2024 | FOPH | |
| Thailand | Yes | Legal until mid-2024; now uncertain | Health Ministry | |
| Ukraine | Yes | No | Ministry of Health | |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No | NHS | |
| United States | Yes in 38 states, 4 territories, and District of Columbia | Yes in 22 states | Varies by state | |
| Uruguay | Yes | Yes | IRCCA | |
| Vanuatu | Yes | No | Vanuatu | |
| Zambia | Yes | No | Ministry of Health | |
| Zimbabwe | Yes | No | MCAZ |
Related Articles:
Advertisement
