The High Life: European Cannabis Laws by Country
Updated: Aug 8, 2023
I have been very lucky to have lived in a city which decriminalized cannabis use decades before its statewide legalization. My love for marijuana began during college when a friend introduced it to me as a form of stress-relief during finals season. After my first use of a bong, my asthmatic ass thought I was going to die from hacking up a lung, so edibles have always been my go-to. Turns out, it helps with way more than just stress! Marijuana helps me unmask my autism, it soothes my random body aches, pulls me out of depressive episodes, negates panic attacks, boosts my creativity, motivates me, and on and on. Now, I use it most nights of the week, especially after particularly harsh days.
The majority of my cannabis use has begun after my last bout of excessive international travel, so I did not need to worry about country laws. Alternatively, I've traveled around my own state and other states where weed (or at least CBD) is legal. Nowadays, I'm doing a lot of research into European universities to gain my Master's degree. Unluckily, the country I have my eyes on has not legalized or decriminalized the use of cannabis and getting a medical card is highly restricted. Reader, don't worry for me, though; my desire to permanently leave the United States outweighs a few weeks of weaning off the devil's lettuce.
If you're like me and aspire to move abroad to Europe, here is a compiled list of each country's general stand on medical and recreational marijuana. Please note, I am a simple weed advocate and by no means a legal authority on international drug law. I encourage you to do your own research before traveling or immigrating to any of these countries. Additionally, these laws are specifically for citizens and penalties may be different or more harsh for foreigners. Please consult the nation's embassy website before traveling.
First, let's start with the difference between "decriminalized" and "legalized." This is very important! Decriminalized means cannabis is still considered an illegal substance, but the legal system will not prosecute offenders. Typically penalties are reduced to a civil fine rather than incarceration. Legalized means removing all legal prohibitions against cannabis.
Currently, there is only one country on the continent which has fully legalized cannabis use: Malta. The island nation has made the possession, cultivation, and use of marijuana legal, the only stipulation being public smoking. Similar to the U.S. law against public intoxication, Malta will take legal action against anyone under the influence outside of their residence or designated spaces. Other countries colored green have decriminalized marijuana and have very relaxed laws as well. This means that these countries allow citizens to freely visit designated public spaces for weed consumption. While not fully legal, marijuana use is cool when potheads follow the law.
GREEN
Let's start with the fun countries!
Luxembourg legalized the cultivation of up to 4 cannabis plants per household for personal use.
Malta is the only country in Europe where the use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis is fully legal.
Netherlands decriminalized cannabis and offers public recreational use in designated spaces called Coffee Shops--not to be confused with cafes which are for actual coffee. However, the possession of more than 5 grams or cultivation of more than 5 plants is still illegal.
Spain decriminalized private use and cultivation. Due to different regions having autonomy over their legislation, Catalonia offers Cannabis Clubs, similar to Coffee Shops in the Netherlands.
YELLOW
These are countries in which to use caution! As explained, these nations have only decriminalized cannabis, which does not exempt users from administrative fines.
Austria allows recreational use and possession of up to 20 grams of THC or 40 grams of THCA. The punishment is about as severe as your average parking ticket.
Belgium legalized CBD products but only decriminalized possession of up to 3 grams of cannabis. Croatia decriminalized the personal use and possession of cannabis.
Czechia allows cannabis products with no more than 1% THC. The possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana is decriminalized.
Denmark does not allow cannabis and will punish anyone with possession for personal use under 10 kilograms with a fine. More than this is amount will result in prosecution.
Estonia will punish any marijuana possession with a fine.
Finland has only decriminalized marijuana, meaning anyone caught in possession of it will face a fine. There are no parameters for possession amount.
France decriminalized cannabis possession, yet maintains a €200 fine for offenders.
Ireland will fine anyone in possession of cannabis products, but no legal prosecutions. . Italy allows the cultivation and use of up to 1.5 grams of cannabis and personalized use is decriminalized while CBD is legal.
Latvia will fine anyone selling, cultivating, or in possession of cannabis.
Lithuania allows a small amount for personal use, but more is punishable by a fine or community service.
Luxembourg decriminalized the cultivation of up to 3 grams and 4 cannabis plants per household for personal use.
Moldova has decriminalized the possession and cultivation of cannabis, but offenders will likely face mandatory community service.
Norway won't prosecute for anything less than 15 grams.
Poland decriminalized the possession of small amounts for personal use.
Portugal allows less than 25 grams under their decriminalization laws, but more is punishable with a severe jail sentence.
Romania does not consider cannabis a "high risk" drug, but it is not fully legalized.
Russia surprisingly decriminalized the possession of less than 6 grams of marijuana.
Slovenia considers cannabis a Class II illegal substance yet permits the use of it without penal reprimands.
Switzerland allows the sale and use of products with up to 1% THC but more than 10 grams is a punishable offence.
Ukraine probably has bigger worries than weed use at the moment, they legalized the cultivation os up to 10 hemp plants and a small amount of personal marijuana is decriminalized.
RED
These countries have a 0 tolerance attitude toward cannabis products.
Albania has recently allowed medical-only use of cannabis.
Andorra is a small principality between Spain and France. While cannabis use is illegal here, a quick trip to either neighboring countries will satiate any weed needs.
Belarus severely punishes anyone in possession of cannabis products.
Bosnia & Herzegovina has not decriminalized medical or recreational marijuana use.
Bulgaria allows CBD products, but all cannabis is illegal.
Cyprus only allows medical use of marijuana.
Finland banned the possession, sale, and use of all controlled substances.
Germany is beginning the long process of legalization.
Greece will sentence anyone in possession of weed products to 5 months in prison.
Hungary welcomes offenders to 2 years in prison.
Iceland only allows the import and personal use of CBD products.
Kosovo punishes potheads with up to 3 years in prison upon first offence.
Liechtenstein still criminalizes any form of cannabis and will prosecute users.
Monaco is well known for being the gambling capital of Europe, yet the country has strict drug laws. Possession, sale, and cultivation of cannabis is prohibited.
Montenegro will not only prosecute offenders, but those in possession of marijuana are subject to a drug trafficking investigation which is a much higher level of crime.
North Macedonia is considering legalizing adult marijuana use, but unfortunately it is still illegal for the time being.
San Marino is a small principality within Italy and plans to follow Italy's lead on the path to legalization. Currently, cannabis is still an illegal substance.
Serbia will punish any drug offenders with 3 years imprisonment.
Slovakia considers cannabis a classified narcotic and even first time offenders are subject to 10 years imprisonment.
Sweden only allows medical marijuana use. Recreational is still illegal.
United Kingdom will prosecute for the sale, possession, and cultivation of cannabis with up to 3 months imprisonment.
Vatican City is a city-state within Rome, Italy. Unsurprisingly, Pope Francis is staunchly against drug legalization. The Catholic Church has jurisdiction on punishments for offenders. Even CBD products are policed.
After doing all this research, I hope you can see how complicated marijuana laws are from country to country. I strongly encourage anyone to do their own research before traveling! Safe travels to all my fellow smokers out there, and please be very careful.
Reminder: Any attempt to transport drugs between countries is illegal. In the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will enforce strict and swift adherence to the law. I wouldn't mess with them.
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