List of All Countries in the World Where Cannabis Is Legal, Medical or Illegal
Last updated: September 29, 2026
A country does not become “legal” simply because it no longer prosecutes possession of a small amount. This table distinguishes adult use, possession, cultivation, sales and medical access. The 195 states included are the 193 members of the United Nations, plus the Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine.
How to read this overview. “To be confirmed” means the sources reviewed are not sufficient to establish a precise national rule. This status means neither “legal” nor “illegal”. “Medical framework subject to conditions” describes a legal pathway without guaranteeing that a product is actually available to every patient. A medical production licence, especially for export, does not prove that patients can obtain cannabis in that country. This overview, dated September 29, 2026, still contains points requiring verification and does not guarantee perfect legal completeness.
What Has Changed Since 2024
- Germany: the law that entered into force in 2024 allows possession and home cultivation within set limits, as well as non-commercial associations; it did not create a nationwide network of retail shops.
- Czechia: since January 2026, personal cultivation has been limited to three plants, with no general commercial market.
- Ukraine: the 2024 medical law began translating into medicines being dispensed to patients in June 2026.
- Thailand: the rules governing cannabis flower were tightened around medical use and prescriptions; the presence of open shops should not be interpreted as recreational legalization.
- United States: in April 2026, certain approved medical products were placed in federal Schedule III; broader marijuana rescheduling remains a separate process, and state laws differ.
- Brazil: case law on personal possession does not create a recreational market; new medical production rules were published in February 2026.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: cannabis was reclassified within a strict medical framework; effective access still depends on implementing measures.
- Panama: new steps were announced in 2026 to expand patient access to medical cannabis.
- Switzerland: pilot trials continue and a draft bill is under discussion; there is still no general legalization.
- South Africa: private use and cultivation are protected; regulatory limits were still the subject of draft rules in 2026, and adult-use sales remain outside this framework.
- Netherlands: the coffeeshop tolerance policy coexists with a local regulated-supply experiment; it does not apply nationwide.
- Malta, Luxembourg and Mexico: their private-use or association-based rights should still not be confused with a general commercial adult-use market.
- Republic of the Congo: Law 30-2025 expressly sets penalties for cannabis derivatives possessed or cultivated in small personal-use quantities.
- Nepal and Vanuatu: licensed medical or industrial production, whether local or intended for export, must remain distinct from patient access and adult use.
- Botswana and Vietnam: licensed cannabis regulations entered into force in Botswana in 2026; Vietnam has applied a new drug-control law since July 2026. Neither of these laws creates a general recreational market.
- Kuwait: a new anti-drug decree-law entered into force in December 2025; older descriptions of penalties are no longer sufficient.
Status Legend
Legal, regulated
Nationwide adult access and a legal sales system subject to conditions.
Permitted, limited
Private use or cultivation is permitted; commercial sales are not necessarily allowed.
Decriminalized
The act remains prohibited or is dealt with outside criminal law; sales are not legalized.
Tolerated
A non-prosecution policy or regulated practice that does not amount to a general legal right.
Medical
Patient access, limited medicine/trial access, and production for export are three distinct situations.
To be confirmed
Specific legal verification is required before drawing a conclusion.
Global Table: 195 States
On mobile, swipe the table horizontally. The cells summarize national law; important local exceptions appear in the final column. Six adult-use regimes and 120 medical-access situations remain “to be confirmed”. Country-specific references are included for 194 states, but a link does not necessarily prove every sub-regime: the cells are summaries and should be checked against the law currently in force before making any decision.
| Country | Adult use | Possession | Personal cultivation | Adult-use sales | Medical cannabis | Key details and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The drug-control law located prohibits cannabis cultivation and penalizes unlawful possession; recent changes in enforcement should be verified. Afghanistan law ↗ |
| South Africa | Private use protected | Private possession protected | Private personal cultivation | Adult-use sales prohibited | Medical framework subject to conditions | Private use and cultivation are protected by case law; a 2024 law and draft regulations were in play in 2026. Adult-use sales remain prohibited. South Africa Justice ↗ |
| Albania | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Medical production licences exist for export; this does not create adult-use access or necessarily local patient access. Albania NACC ↗ |
| Algeria | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Algeria ONLCDT ↗ |
| Germany | Permitted within limits | Up to 25 g in public / 50 g at home | Up to 3 plants | Associations; no commercial sales | Medical framework subject to conditions | Since 2024: possession and up to three plants within set limits, plus non-commercial associations; no nationwide adult-use retail shops. Germany BMG ↗ |
| Andorra | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The 2005 criminal code penalizes consumption, possession and cultivation for personal use. The code published in July 2026 only enters into force four months after publication. Andorra code applicable ↗ Andorra code futur ↗ |
| Angola | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 3/99 also penalizes consumption, possession and cultivation for personal use; there is no general decriminalization. Angola law 3/99 ↗ |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Limited private use | Up to 15 g | Up to 4 plants | No general adult-use sales | Medical framework subject to conditions | Up to 15 g for an adult; limited personal cultivation; licensed medical sector. Antigua MCA ↗ |
| Saudi Arabia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Saudi Arabia law ↗ |
| Argentina | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Small amounts in private: Arriola case law, not general legalization. REPROCANN applies to authorized patients. Argentina Health ↗ |
| Armenia | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Access to be confirmed | The administrative offences code penalizes unlawful acquisition/possession of a small amount without intent to sell; beyond that, criminal law may apply. Armenia administrative code ↗ |
| Australia | ACT only | ACT: limited | ACT: limited | No adult-use market | Medical framework subject to conditions | Australian Capital Territory (ACT): adult-use exception; sales are not authorized. Other states and federal law differ. Australia Health ↗ |
| Austria | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Austria law ↗ |
| Azerbaijan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Azerbaijan law ↗ |
| Bahamas | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework; effective access to be confirmed | The 2024 law was adopted, but the commencement notice located applies only to Parts I and II and a small number of sections; effective medical access or decriminalization should not be assumed. Bahamas law ↗ Bahamas commencement ↗ |
| Bahrain | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Bahrain law ↗ |
| Bangladesh | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The Ministry of Home Affairs published an amendment to the drug-control law in July 2026; no adult-use legalization has been established. Its precise effect on penalties should be verified. Bangladesh amendment 2026 ↗ |
| Barbados | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Barbados BMCLA ↗ |
| Belgium | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medicines / limited trial | Enforcement priority is reduced for small adult-use amounts, but possession remains an offence; certain medicines are accessible. Belgium AFMPS ↗ |
| Belize | Private use decriminalized under conditions | Up to 10 g decriminalized | Prohibited unless authorized | Adult-use sales prohibited | Access to be confirmed | Law 47/2017: possession of up to 10 g is decriminalized and private use is allowed under conditions; there are no general adult-use sales. Belize law 47/2017 ↗ |
| Benin | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Benin law ↗ |
| Bhutan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Bhutan law ↗ |
| Belarus | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Belarus official advice ↗ |
| Myanmar | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Birmanie law ↗ |
| Bolivia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 1008 prohibits cannabis; referring a personal user to treatment does not amount to general decriminalization. Bolivia law 1008 ↗ |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework; effective access to be confirmed | Cannabis was medically reclassified under strict controls in late 2025; measures enabling effective patient access were still being implemented in 2026. Bosnie ministry ↗ |
| Botswana | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Cannabis Act 20/2025 and January 2026 regulations: licensed medical, scientific and industrial sectors; no authorization for general adult use. Botswana Gazette ↗ |
| Brazil | Illegal; personal use not criminally punishable | 40 g / 6 plants: presumption of personal use | 6 plants: presumption, not a licence | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | STF: personal possession of up to 40 g or six plants is presumed to be for personal use, without legalizing sales. ANVISA medical rules were renewed in 2026. Brazil ANVISA ↗ |
| Brunei | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Brunei law ↗ |
| Bulgaria | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Bulgaria Parliament ↗ |
| Burkina Faso | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Burkina Faso code ↗ |
| Burundi | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The 2017 criminal code criminalizes, among other things, unauthorized cultivation, possession and consumption. Burundi criminal code ↗ |
| Cambodia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Cambodia law ↗ |
| Cameroon | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Cameroon law 97-19 ↗ |
| Canada | Legal, regulated | 30 g in public (equivalent) | 4 plants federally; provinces vary | Licensed sales | Medical framework subject to conditions | Nationwide licensed market; up to 30 g in public; age, cultivation and sales rules vary by province. Canada Health ↗ |
| Cabo Verde | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Cabo Verde UNODC ↗ |
| Central African Republic | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 01.011: cannabis cultivation is prohibited; purchase, possession or cultivation of a small personal-use amount is also punishable. Central African Republic law 01.011 ↗ |
| Chili | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Private use and cultivation may be justified on personal or medical grounds: application and proof are assessed case by case; adult-use sales are prohibited. Chili ISP ↗ |
| China | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. China law ↗ |
| Cyprus | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Cyprus pharmacy ↗ |
| Colombia | Private / personal dose | Personal dose | Home cultivation up to 20 plants | No general adult-use sales | Medical framework subject to conditions | Personal-dose possession is protected; home cultivation is limited (20 plants according to the ministry); no general adult-use sales; medical sector under licence. Colombia Justice ↗ |
| Comoros | Illegal according to prosecutors | To be verified in the code | To be verified | Sales not authorized; details to be verified | Access to be confirmed | The 2020 criminal code was promulgated in 2021; prosecutors stated in 2025 that cannabis use is punishable under Article 174. Possession details remain to be confirmed. Comoros ministry Justice ↗ Comoros procureur ↗ |
| Republic of the Congo | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 30-2025, Arts. 52–53: non-prescribed use is prohibited and possession of a small personal-use quantity of cannabis derivatives is punishable. Congo Official Gazette 2025 ↗ |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | 2022 orders regulate medical/scientific exploitation; effective patient access has not been established. DRC 2022 Order ↗ |
| North Korea | To be confirmed | To be verified | To be verified | To be verified | Access to be confirmed | An anti-drug law is available through UNODC, but it does not allow the current legal status of the plant, possession and possible exceptions to be established with confidence here. North Korea UNODC ↗ |
| South Korea | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. South Korea Law ↗ |
| Costa Rica | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Possession for personal use is treated separately from trafficking; 2022 medical law. No adult-use market. Costa Rica Health ↗ |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 2022-407 targets illicit trafficking and use; the status of medical exceptions and applicable thresholds should be verified. Côte d’Ivoire law 2022 ↗ |
| Croatia | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Croatia Official Gazette ↗ |
| Cuba | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Cuba criminal code ↗ |
| Denmark | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Denmark Health ↗ |
| Djibouti | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Djibouti law ↗ |
| Dominica | Partially decriminalized | Up to 28 g without an offence | Limited cultivation to be verified | Adult-use sales prohibited | Access to be confirmed | 2020 law: possession of up to 28 g is not an offence; adult-use sales are not legalized. Dominica law ↗ |
| Egypt | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Egypt law ↗ |
| United Arab Emirates | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Émirats law ↗ |
| Ecuador | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | The national personal-possession threshold table was repealed in 2023; the distinction between personal use and trafficking is determined by the circumstances, with no protective 10 g threshold. Ecuador Court ↗ |
| Eritrea | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | 2015 Criminal Code, Arts. 395–396: drug possession and cultivation of a controlled plant for personal consumption are punishable. Eritrea criminal code ↗ |
| Spain | Private use not punishable | Public: administrative fine | Private: legal risk | Clubs: varying case law; sales prohibited | Medical framework subject to conditions | Since Royal Decree 903/2025, certain standardized cannabis preparations may be prescribed and dispensed under medical conditions. Private use and penalties in public spaces remain separate issues. Spain decree 903/2025 ↗ |
| Estonia | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medicines / limited trial | The national medicines agency distinguishes medical/scientific cannabis from adult-use cannabis; patient access is very restricted and there is no adult-use market. Estonia medicines ↗ |
| Eswatini | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Licensed medical cannabis production for export; patient access and personal-use offences remain to be confirmed. Eswatini Medical Regulation ↗ |
| United States | Varies by state; federally illegal | Varies by state and federal law | Varies by state | Market in some states | Medical framework subject to conditions | Federal law and state laws differ. In April 2026, certain medical products moved to Schedule III; broader rescheduling remains an ongoing process. United States DOJ ↗ |
| Ethiopia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Ethiopia Justice ↗ |
| Fiji | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Fiji law ↗ |
| Finland | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Finland law ↗ |
| France | Illegal | Fine / prosecution | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | Adult use and sales are prohibited; a fixed fine may apply. Medical cannabis remained in an experimental/transition framework in 2026, with no open retail access. France ANSM ↗ |
| Gabon | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Criminal Code Art. 208: unlawful use, possession and transfer of cannabis are punishable; a court may order treatment for a user. Gabon Official Gazette ↗ |
| Gambia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Gambia law ↗ |
| Georgia | Private use protected | Possession punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The penalty for personal use was struck down by the Constitutional Court; possession, cultivation and sales remain regulated or punishable. Georgia Court 2018 ↗ Georgia Court 2026 ↗ |
| Ghana | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Licensing regime for low-THC varieties for medical/industrial purposes; recreational cannabis remains prohibited. Ghana NCC ↗ |
| Greece | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Greece Health ↗ |
| Grenada | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The decriminalization text circulated in 2026 is a draft; its entry into force has not been confirmed. Grenada draft ↗ |
| Guatemala | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Guatemala law ↗ |
| Guinea | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Guinea criminal code ↗ |
| Equatorial Guinea | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Drug possession is an offence according to official UK travel advice; details of national law should be verified. Equatorial Guinea GOV.UK ↗ |
| Guinea-Bissau | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Decree-Law 2-B/93: unlawful acquisition, possession and cultivation are punishable; Article 20 separately addresses personal consumption. A separate penalty does not amount to legalization. Guinea-Bissau decree ↗ |
| Guyana | Illegal; reduced penalty | Up to 30 g: offence without imprisonment | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Personal possession of up to 30 g remains an offence, but the 2022 law removes imprisonment for that amount; cultivation and sales remain prohibited. Guyana law ↗ |
| Haiti | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Haiti UNODC ↗ |
| Honduras | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Honduras law ↗ |
| Hungary | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Hungary law ↗ |
| Marshall Islands | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The drugs law and its 2020 amendment penalize cannabis possession; do not confuse this jurisdiction with the Northern Mariana Islands (a U.S. territory). Marshall Islands law 2020 ↗ |
| Solomon Islands | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The Dangerous Drugs Act regulates dangerous drugs and prohibits unauthorized acts; local details should be verified. Solomon Islands law ↗ |
| India | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Bhang and certain traditional preparations are subject to separate rules; flowers and resin remain governed by the NDPS Act. State-level rules also apply. India ministry ↗ |
| Indonesia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Indonesia law ↗ |
| Iraq | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Iraq Justice ↗ |
| Iran | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The anti-drug law penalizes cultivation and unlawful activities involving cannabis and hashish. Iran law antidrogue ↗ |
| Ireland | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Ireland Health ↗ |
| Iceland | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Iceland law ↗ |
| Israel | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Regulated medical program; certain first offences may be handled administratively, without adult-use legalization. Israel Health ↗ |
| Italy | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Italy Health ↗ |
| Jamaica | Decriminalized; limited religious use | Up to 2 oz: fine | 5 plants per household | No general adult-use sales | Medical framework subject to conditions | Up to 2 oz: non-criminal offence with a fine; five plants per household; medical dispensaries/licences, but no general adult-use market. Jamaica JIS ↗ |
| Japan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | 2024–25 reform: cannabis use is punishable; cannabinoid medicines are available under conditions. This should not be confused with medical legalization of the plant itself. Japan Health ↗ |
| Jordan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Jordan law ↗ |
| Kazakhstan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Small-scale possession remains punishable. The low-THC industrial regime was revised in 2025, without legalizing adult-use cannabis. Kazakhstan code ↗ Kazakhstan hemp ↗ |
| Kenya | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Kenya law ↗ |
| Kyrgyzstan | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Access to be confirmed | The offences code provides an administrative penalty for a small amount without intent to sell; repeat offences or larger amounts may fall under criminal law. Kyrgyzstan code ↗ |
| Kiribati | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The 1948 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance is still listed on the public trade portal; interpretation of medical exceptions should be verified. Kiribati official portal ↗ |
| Kuwait | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | A new Narcotics Decree-Law 159/2025 entered into force in December 2025; penalties and exceptions must be read in light of this recent text. There is no adult-use legalization. Kuwait Justice ↗ |
| Laos | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Laos law ↗ |
| Lesotho | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Licensed medical cultivation, notably for export; no adult-use legalization and no established general patient-access system. Lesotho government ↗ |
| Latvia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Latvia law ↗ |
| Lebanon | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Law 178/2020 creates a licensed cultivation sector for medical and industrial purposes. It does not legalize adult possession or establish ordinary domestic patient access. Lebanon law ↗ Lebanon law 178/2020 ↗ |
| Liberia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Controlled Drugs and Substances Act 2023: unlicensed possession is punishable; developments in enforcement should be verified. Liberia law 2023 ↗ |
| Libya | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Libya Justice ↗ |
| Liechtenstein | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Its own narcotics law applies; Switzerland’s 10 g threshold and fixed-fine rules should not be transposed to it. Liechtenstein BMG ↗ |
| Lithuania | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework; effective access to be confirmed | A framework for registered cannabis-containing medicines has existed since 2019; the text alone does not establish effective patient access. Lithuania legal analysis ↗ |
| Luxembourg | Private use permitted | Public: possible penalty | 4 plants per household | No adult-use sales | Medical framework subject to conditions | Four plants per household and private use are permitted; limited public possession remains punishable; there is no adult-use commerce. Luxembourg EUDA ↗ |
| North Macedonia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Compounded preparations containing more than 0.2% THC may be prescribed for defined indications; the adult-use regime remains prohibited. North Macedonia Order ↗ |
| Madagascar | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 97-039: cannabis cultivation is prohibited, and possession or cultivation for personal consumption is punishable. Madagascar law 97-039 ↗ |
| Malaysia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Malaysia Health ↗ |
| Malawi | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Malawi Parliament ↗ |
| Maldives | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | An amendment to the drug-control law was ratified in December 2025; it draws a strong distinction between trafficking and consumption. There is no adult-use legalization. Maldives presidency ↗ |
| Mali | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 01-078 on drug control; unlawful cultivation and use are punishable. Any professional authorization does not create a right to home cultivation. Mali law 01-078 ↗ |
| Malta | Limited private use | Small amount permitted | 4 plants per household | Non-profit associations | Medical framework subject to conditions | Four plants per household, limited possession and non-profit associations are permitted; there are no general commercial sales. Malta ARUC ↗ |
| Morocco | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Law 13-21: cultivation and processing are authorized under medical/industrial licences in designated areas; adult use remains prohibited. Morocco ANRAC ↗ |
| Mauritius | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Mauritius law ↗ |
| Mauritania | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Cannabis is classified as a narcotic; possession may lead to prosecution. A new text announced in 2026 remains at the draft stage. Mauritania DGAT ↗ Mauritania draft ↗ |
| Mexico | Personal use with authorization | Authorization required | With authorization | No national market | Medical framework subject to conditions | The Supreme Court protects personal consumption subject to authorization; there is no operational nationwide commercial market. Mexico SCJN ↗ |
| Micronesia | Illegal; federal and state law | ≤ 1 oz: federal fine; states to be verified | Prohibited unless authorized | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The federal code criminalizes marijuana possession, with a reduced fine for no more than one ounce; the four states also have their own rules. Micronesia federal code ↗ Micronesia travel advice ↗ |
| Moldova | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Access to be confirmed | Article 85 of the contravention code: small-scale possession and non-prescribed use are administratively punishable; adult-use sales are not legalized. Moldova article 85 ↗ |
| Monaco | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Monaco law ↗ Monaco liste ↗ |
| Mongolia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Mongolia code ↗ |
| Montenegro | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Montenegro law ↗ |
| Mozambique | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 3/97 governs illicit trafficking and consumption; the medicines agency still publishes this text as national law. Mozambique ANARME ↗ |
| Namibia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Namibia law ↗ |
| Nauru | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004: cannabis is listed as a controlled substance; a possible exception exists for a traveler carrying a prescription. Nauru law 2004 ↗ |
| Nepal | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Nationwide prohibition. In August 2026, Gandaki Province enacted a law on licensed cultivation for medical/industrial purposes (reported THC cap of 0.3%); its relationship with federal law is disputed. No adult-use market. Nepal AP Gandaki ↗ Nepal Gandaki analysis ↗ |
| Nicaragua | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Nicaragua Assembly ↗ |
| Niger | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Ordinance 99-42: cannabis cultivation is prohibited; a small personal-use quantity is also punishable. Niger law 99-42 ↗ |
| Nigeria | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Nigeria NDLEA ↗ |
| Norway | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Norway medicines ↗ |
| New Zealand | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. New Zealand law ↗ |
| Oman | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | A new anti-drug decree published on September 6, 2026 entered into force the following day; implementing texts should be checked for any medical exceptions. Oman decree 67/2026 ↗ |
| Uganda | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Uganda law ↗ |
| Uzbekistan | Illegal; small possession handled administratively | Small amount: fine or administrative detention | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Small quantities without intent to sell may result in an administrative penalty and confiscation; partial decriminalization makes neither purchase nor sale legal. Uzbekistan code ↗ |
| Pakistan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | The 2024 cannabis regulation law covers medical/industrial uses; it does not legalize personal possession. Pakistan code ↗ |
| Palau | Illegal; small possession subject to citation | ≤ 2 oz: citation/fine | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The code, amended by RPPL 5-3, provides for a citation and fine for no more than two ounces; possession remains prohibited. Palau law RPPL 5-3 ↗ |
| Palestine | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Palestine Health ↗ |
| Panama | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Law 242 of 2021 created the medical framework; authorities strengthened access procedures in 2026. Adult-use sales remain prohibited. Panama Health ↗ |
| Papua New Guinea | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. PNG law ↗ |
| Paraguay | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Paraguay DINAVISA ↗ |
| Netherlands | Tolerated; not generally legal | Small amount: generally not prosecuted in practice | Generally prohibited | Coffeeshops tolerated; pilot experiment | Medical framework subject to conditions | Coffeeshop sales are tolerated under conditions; ordinary cultivation is illegal; a regulated supply-chain experiment operates in certain municipalities. Netherlands government ↗ Netherlands rules ↗ |
| Peru | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Peru DIGEMID ↗ |
| Philippines | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The FDA provides compassionate permits for unregistered medicines; the possibility of applying this mechanism to a cannabis preparation does not amount to a confirmed general program. Medical-cannabis bills remain separate from the law currently in force. Philippines law ↗ Philippines FDA CSP ↗ |
| Poland | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Poland Patients ↗ |
| Portugal | Illegal; possession decriminalized | Administrative if for personal use | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Personal possession of all drugs is decriminalized; seizure and referral to an administrative commission are possible. Adult-use sales remain prohibited. Portugal EUDA ↗ |
| Qatar | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Qatar law ↗ |
| Dominican Republic | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Restrictive adult-use regime; no established medical-cannabis system was identified in the sources reviewed. Dominicaine DNCD ↗ |
| Romania | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Romania law ↗ |
| United Kingdom | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. United Kingdom Home Office ↗ |
| Russia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Unlawful possession and cultivation are punishable; whether a case is treated administratively or criminally depends in part on quantity. Russia criminal code ↗ |
| Rwanda | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Rwanda Gazette ↗ |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Limited freedom-of-conscience authorization | Licence: designated locations/amounts | Licence: up to 5 private plants | No general adult-use market | Medical framework; effective access to be confirmed | A licence under the 2023 Freedom of Conscience Cannabis Act may allow limited possession, use in designated locations and up to five private plants. There is no general adult-use market; the medical authority is being rolled out. Saint-Christophe freedom of conscience ↗ Saint-Christophe authorizations ↗ Saint-Christophe medical framework ↗ |
| San Marino | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. San Marino Medical Law ↗ |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | A licensed medical industry exists; sources differ regarding the personal-possession regime. Verification is required. Saint-Vincent law ↗ Saint-Vincent Health ↗ |
| Saint Lucia | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Access to be confirmed | A 2025 cannabis bill has been published; it should not be treated as legalization currently in force. Saint Lucia draft ↗ |
| El Salvador | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. El Salvador Assembly ↗ |
| Samoa | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Samoa law ↗ |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. São Tomé Decree ↗ |
| Senegal | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Senegal code ↗ |
| Serbia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Serbia law ↗ |
| Seychelles | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | The 2020 regulations allow certain non-smoked CBD-based medical products subject to authorization, prescription and dispensing by an authorized pharmacy. Personal cultivation and adult-use sales are not authorized under this framework. Seychelles Medical CBD ↗ |
| Sierra Leone | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | The Pharmacy Board published guidelines in 2025 for cultivation and processing for medical use; they do not establish patient dispensing. Sierra Leone law ↗ Sierra Leone pharmacy ↗ |
| Singapore | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Singapore CNB ↗ |
| Slovakia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Slovakia law ↗ |
| Slovenia | Partial decriminalization | Small amount: reduced or administrative penalties | Generally prohibited; exceptions to be verified | Adult-use sales not legalized | Medical framework subject to conditions | A specific law on medical and scientific cannabis was enacted in 2025; it does not legalize adult-use sales. Slovenia law 2025 ↗ |
| Somalia | To be confirmed | To be verified | To be verified | To be verified | Access to be confirmed | The law reviewed dates from 1970; its current application and interaction with regional legal systems remain to be confirmed. Somalia older text ↗ |
| Sudan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Sudan case law ↗ |
| South Sudan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. South Sudan code ↗ |
| Sri Lanka | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Certain traditional cannabis-containing preparations are mentioned by the national anti-drug authority; this does not establish a general medical-access program or adult-use legalization. Reform proposals must be distinguished from current law. Sri Lanka draft 2026 ↗ Sri Lanka NDDCB ↗ |
| Sweden | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medicines / limited trial | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Sweden medicines ↗ |
| Switzerland | Illegal outside pilot trials | Less than 10 g: not punishable; use treated separately | Prohibited outside a special regime | Pilot trials only | Medical framework subject to conditions | Small-scale possession (less than 10 g) is not punishable under certain conditions; consumption can still be penalized. Local pilot trials continue, and the proposed law has not been adopted. Switzerland FOPH ↗ Switzerland draft ↗ |
| Suriname | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | The 1998 narcotics law prohibits possession and use; no adult-use exemption has been established. Suriname NAR ↗ |
| Syria | To be confirmed | To be verified | To be verified | To be verified | Access to be confirmed | Earlier texts are available, but their application as of September 2026 and any recent amendments have not been established. Syria older text ↗ |
| Tajikistan | To be confirmed | To be verified | To be verified | To be verified | Access to be confirmed | A controlled-substances law appears in the national legal database; the current legal classification of each cannabis-related act must be confirmed. Tajikistan official database ↗ |
| Tanzania | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Tanzania law ↗ |
| Chad | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Chad code ↗ |
| Czechia | Permitted from age 21 within limits | Up to 25 g in public / 100 g at home | Up to 3 personal plants | Adult-use sales prohibited | Medical framework subject to conditions | Since January 2026: up to three plants at home under legal conditions; no commercial adult-use sales. Czechia Police ↗ |
| Thailand | No adult-use legalization | Medical conditions apply | Authorized regime to be verified | Flower sales tied to prescription | Medical framework subject to conditions | Cannabis flower has been classified as a controlled herb and medical distribution has required a prescription since 2025; an open shop does not prove that recreational sales are legal. Thailand government ↗ |
| Timor-Leste | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 2/2017, Art. 26: consumption, acquisition, possession and cultivation for personal use remain offences; cannabis appears in the attached schedules. Timor-Leste Official Gazette 2017 ↗ |
| Togo | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Law 98-008 prohibits cannabis cultivation and the use of controlled drugs without prescription; penalties depend on the conduct and quantities involved. Togo law 98-008 ↗ |
| Tonga | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Tonga law ↗ |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Personal use within limits | Up to 30 g | Up to 4 plants | No general adult-use sales | Access to be confirmed | Law 24/2019: up to 30 g of cannabis and four plants are excluded from specified possession/cultivation offences; there are no general adult-use sales. Certain public circumstances remain punishable. Trinidad and Tobago Parliament ↗ |
| Tunisia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Tunisia law ↗ |
| Turkmenistan | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Turkmenistan law ↗ |
| Türkiye | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Türkiye Official Gazette ↗ |
| Tuvalu | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Dangerous Drugs Act, 2022 consolidated edition: cultivation of Indian hemp is prohibited; possession is subject to criminal provisions. Tuvalu law 2022 ↗ |
| Ukraine | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Medical framework subject to conditions | The medical law entered into force in 2024; the first medicines were dispensed on electronic prescription in June 2026. Adult use remains prohibited. Ukraine Health ↗ |
| Uruguay | Legal, regulated | Subject to registration | Registered home cultivation | Registered pharmacies / clubs | Medical framework subject to conditions | Three registered pathways: home cultivation, clubs and pharmacies; legal access is subject to residence/registration requirements. Uruguay IRCCA ↗ |
| Vanuatu | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Law 31/2021 regulates medical-cannabis production and export. It does not create a right to adult possession or establish domestic patient dispensing. Vanuatu law 31/2021 ↗ |
| Vatican | To be confirmed | To be verified | To be verified | To be verified | Access to be confirmed | No sufficiently clear and recent specific text on cannabis use, possession and cultivation in Vatican City could be established. A national legal source is not reproduced here; check with the competent authorities. |
| Venezuela | To be confirmed | To be verified | To be verified | To be verified | Access to be confirmed | Sources differ on the legal classification of personal possession and applicable thresholds; do not conclude that there is general decriminalization. Venezuela Assembly ↗ |
| Vietnam | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | New Drug Prevention and Control Law 120/2025/QH15 has been in force since July 1, 2026; it does not legalize cannabis. Specific criminal-law details should be verified. Vietnam law 2025 ↗ |
| Yemen | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Access to be confirmed | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Yemen law ↗ |
| Zambia | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Zambia law ↗ |
| Zimbabwe | Illegal | Punishable | Illegal | Illegal | Licensed production; patient access to be verified | Summary framework; thresholds and local exceptions remain to be confirmed. Zimbabwe regulation 2018 ↗ |
Sources and Method
The links in each row lead to the laws and authorities consulted for that country. The selection below covers major changes and difficult distinctions. Comparative pages from UNODC and the European Union Drugs Agency provide context but do not replace national law. A proposal or draft bill is never presented as already in force.
- Germany BMG
- Czechia Police
- Thailand Health
- Switzerland FOPH
- South Africa Justice
- United States DOJ
- Mexico SCJN
- Netherlands Government
- Malta ARUC
- Luxembourg EUDA
- Ukraine Health
- Seychelles Medical CBD
- Trinidad and Tobago Parliament
- Botswana Gazette
- Vietnam 2025 Law
- Kuwait Justice
- Lebanon Law 178/2020
Disclaimer: laws and their enforcement change rapidly. This overview is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Before traveling, possessing, cultivating, prescribing, importing or selling, consult the laws and competent authorities in the relevant jurisdiction. “To be confirmed” cells should not be used as the basis for a legal decision.
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