Cannabis legal: Smoking weed is permitted in these countries

Since April 1, 2024, the possession and private cultivation of cannabis has been legal for adults under certain conditions. Authorities in other countries have also regulated the use of the substance.

Europe: Countries where cannabis is legal

European countries have different approaches to recreational drugs.

• Netherlands: In the Netherlands, the sale of so-called soft drugs, i.e. cannabis, has been tolerated in coffee shops since 1976. Adults aged 18 and over are allowed to buy five grams per person per day and smoke joints. However, the cultivation and wholesale of cannabis is prohibited, with the exception of medical purposes and five plants for personal consumption. Supplying coffee shops is therefore illegal from a legal perspective. Since December 2023, a state-regulated pilot project for legal cannabis production has been running in some cities. Coffee shops have been allowed to offer state-controlled cannabis for the first time, which guarantees quality and consistency.

• Italy: The new right-wing government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is against cannabis legalization. Last year, Italian politicians discussed the partial legalization of cannabis in the parliament’s justice committee. According to the proposal, it should be permitted to grow up to four plants at home for private use. In the fall of 2021, supporters collected hundreds of thousands of signatures for a referendum on legalizing the cultivation of the drug, but failed before the Constitutional Court.

• Spain: Spain is working on legalizing and regulating the use of cannabis for medical purposes. In June 2022, the parliamentary health committee adopted a statement calling on the government to introduce appropriate measures within six months. Since December 2022, the Ministry of Health has been working on a draft bill. However, the legalization of recreational cannabis use has been rejected.

• France: There are no plans to legalize cannabis in general. However, the plant has been permitted for medical use in the treatment of serious illnesses since March 1, 2022.

• Austria: Cannabis legalization is currently out of the question in Austria. “We believe this is completely the wrong approach,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). This means that the issue is off the table in the current ÖVP-Green coalition, despite pressure from the Green junior partner. The SPÖ also rejects the complete liberalization of private consumption. In the summer of 2022, the Austrian Constitutional Court rejected as futile a petition filed by a man who had been caught with a joint by plainclothes police officers and wanted to take legal action.

• Luxembourg: Since the summer of 2023, the private cultivation and possession of small amounts of cannabis has been legal. Every Luxembourg citizen is allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants for personal use. Possession of small amounts of the drug has been decriminalized and is treated as a misdemeanor. However, anyone carrying more than three grams of cannabis in public is considered a drug dealer and will be prosecuted accordingly. Public consumption remains prohibited.

• Portugal: Portugal is liberal when it comes to cannabis possession. Possession of small amounts of cannabis is decriminalized but continues to be treated as an administrative offense. Cultivation and sale, on the other hand, are punishable offenses.

• Russia: In Russia, the possession, purchase, transport, and processing of marijuana are prohibited. Penalties depend on the amount. Up to a limit of six grams, you can expect a fine of the equivalent of 55 euros or 15 days’ imprisonment. If the amount exceeds this limit, you face a fine of 70 euros or up to 15 days’ imprisonment. Foreigners will also be expelled from the country.

• Germany: On February 23, 2024, the German Bundestag passed a law on the controlled use of cannabis. The law allows adults to grow cannabis for personal use and provides for regional pilot projects with commercial supply chains.