Where in the World Is Selling Cannabis Legal?

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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.

CountryMedicalRecreationalRegulators
AlbaniaYesNoMinistry of Health and Social Protection
ArgentinaYesNoANMAT
AustraliaYesUse decriminalized by state; sale prohibitedOffice of Drug Control
BarbadosYesLegal for spiritual use; sale prohibitedBMCLA
BermudaYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedMedical Cannabis Authority
BrazilYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedBrazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA)
CanadaYesYesCanada Health
ChileYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedMinistry of Health
ColombiaYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedMinistry of Health
Costa RicaYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedMinistry of Health
CroatiaYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedAgency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (HALMED)
CyprusYesNoMinistry of Health
Czech RepublicYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedState Agency for Medicinal Cannabis (SAKL)
EcuadorYesNoAgency for Health Regulation, Control and Surveillance (ARCSA)
FinlandYesNoFinnish Medicines Agency
FrancePilot program underway; legalization expected in 2025NoNational Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM)
GeorgiaYes, but no dispensing program operableLegal for possession and consumption; sale prohibitedNarcotics Control Agency
GermanyYesYesFederal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM)
GhanaYesNoNarcotics Control Commission
GreeceYesNoNational Organization for Medicines
HungaryCBD onlyNoNational Food Chain Safety Authority
IndiaLow-CBD onlyBhang only
IrelandYesNoHealth Products Regulatory Authority
IsraelYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedIMCA
ItalyYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedAIFA
JamaicaYesUse decriminalized; legal for spiritual use; sale prohibitedThe Cannabis Licensing Authority
JapanCBD onlyNoMinistry of Health
LebanonYesNoRegulatory Authority for Cannabis Cultivation
LuxembourgYesPersonal cultivation and use legal; sale prohibitedHealth Ministry
MalawiYesNoThe Cannabis Regulatory Authority
MaltaYesYesThe Malta Medicines Authority
MexicoYes, but no system for dispensing existsPersonal cultivation and use legal; sale prohibitedSENASICA
MoroccoYesNoThe National Agency for Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities
NetherlandsYesPilot program underwayThe Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority
New ZealandYesNoThe Medicinal Cannabis Agency
North MacedoniaYesNoMinistry of Health
NorwayYesNoNorwegian Medicines Agency 
PakistanCBD onlyNoCannabis Control and Regulatory Authority
PanamaYesNoMinistry of Health
PeruYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedThe General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies and Drugs
PolandYesBelow 0.3% THC only
PortugalYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedInfarmed I.P.
RomaniaBelow 0.2% THC onlyNo
RwandaYesNoRwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA)
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedMedicinal Cannabis Authority
San MarinoYesNo
SingaporeCBD onlyNoHealth Sciences Authority
SlovakiaCBD onlyNo
SloveniaCBD onlyNoMinistry of Health
South AfricaYesLegal for possession and use; sale prohibitedSouth African Health Products Regulatory Authority
SpainYesUse decriminalized; sale prohibitedAEMPS
Sri LankaYesNoMinistry of Health
SwedenYesNo
SwitzerlandYesPilot program initiated in March 2024FOPH
ThailandYesLegal until mid-2024; now uncertainHealth Ministry
UkraineYesNoMinistry of Health
United KingdomYesNoNHS
United StatesYes in 38 states, 4 territories, and District of ColumbiaYes in 22 statesVaries by state
UruguayYesYesIRCCA
VanuatuYesNoVanuatu
ZambiaYesNoMinistry of Health
ZimbabweYesNoMCAZ

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