Countries where cannabis is legal or decriminalised

Major cannabis production country (illegal); enforcement targets producers but tourists also caught. Possession 1–10yrs.

Strict drug laws; small jurisdiction means low anonymity.

Cannabis decriminalised 2018: <15g personal possession + 4 plants admin only. Other drugs strict.

Personal use decriminalised by Supreme Court 2009. Public possession can still mean fines/treatment. Hard drugs strict.

Possession 3–8yrs depending on amount. Strict.

ACT (Canberra) decriminalised personal cannabis 2020; other states vary (some admin fines, others criminal). Medical cannabis legal nationwide. Other drugs strict.

Possession criminal but small amounts often diverted to treatment. Medical cannabis available (CBD legal, THC restricted).

Possession 5yrs+. Strict despite resort-island context; tourists arrested for personal-use amounts.

Adult cannabis possession <3g is administrative offence. Hard drugs criminal. Brussels has a shifting enforcement landscape.

Cannabis decriminalised 2017 for adults (<10g). Other drugs criminal.

Possession criminal; war-era unexploded ordnance and post-conflict recovery means policing varies regionally.

Personal cannabis use technically decriminalised by Supreme Court 2024 (<40g admin offence) – still pending congressional pushback. Other drugs strict.

1–6yrs for possession (any amount counts as supply intent under Bulgarian law). Some of EU’s harshest enforcement.

Recreational cannabis legalised 2018 (federal). 30g possession, 4 plants home. Crossing US border with cannabis is a US federal offence. Other drugs criminal.

Possession criminal; less harsh than mainland. Strict but tourist-tolerant in resort areas.

Private cultivation/consumption legal; public consumption fined. Other drugs criminal.

Personal possession <20g cannabis or <1g cocaine decriminalised. Public consumption restrictions. Hard drugs strict.

Personal use decriminalised in practice but possession technically illegal. Treatment-focused approach. Other drugs strict.

Personal use is misdemeanour (fines); over threshold or supply is criminal (up to 12yrs). Medical cannabis available.

Possession criminal; medical cannabis available. Northern (Turkish) Cyprus has separate, also strict, laws.

Personal possession of small amounts is admin offence (cannabis up to 10g, others by threshold). Most lenient drug law in central Europe. Trafficking still criminal.

Possession criminal (fines for small amounts). Christiania Freetown (Copenhagen) sells cannabis in tolerated zone but it’s technically illegal and police regularly raid.

Possession criminal. Strict.

Personal-use thresholds decriminalised (<10g cannabis). Hard drugs strict.

Possession misdemeanour (fines/community service) for small amounts. Strict enforcement.

Personal use up to 6 months prison (usually fines for small amounts). Strict enforcement.

Possession typically a 200€ fixed fine ("amende forfaitaire"); prosecution possible. Hard drugs are class A, harsh sentences. Codeine OTC needs prescription if entering with quantity.

Constitutional Court 2018 decriminalised cannabis use (but not sale or distribution – unique and contested status). Other drugs strict.

Recreational cannabis legalised April 2024: 25g personal possession, 50g home-cultivation, 3 plants. No public use within 100m of schools. Other drugs strictly illegal.

Personal use decriminalised 2013 (admin penalties + treatment) but cultivation/supply strict. Medical cannabis legalised 2017.

Possession criminal. Strict.

Possession up to 2yrs prison. Strict enforcement; some of EU’s harshest drug laws.

Possession criminal (fines for small amounts). Reykjavík strict enforcement.

Possession up to 3yrs (or 7yrs for second offence). Hard drugs much harsher. Health Diversion Scheme for first-time small possession from 2024.

Cannabis personal use decriminalised 2017 (admin fines for first offences). Medical cannabis programme large. Other drugs criminal.

Personal possession is administrative (driving-licence suspension, fines). Cultivation criminal. Hard drugs strict.

Ganja decriminalised 2015 (<2 oz/56g admin fine); Rastafari religious use legal. Foreigners still occasionally caught at airport on departure – don’t take any with you.

Possession criminal; strict enforcement.

Possession criminal but personal-use amounts often misdemeanour. Strict.

No distinction between possession and supply intent – small amounts can mean 2–8yrs. Among EU’s strictest.