Cannabis possession is decriminalized for small amounts in Argentina. Cannabis is controlled and illegal in Argentina, but a ruling by the Supreme Court in August 2009 declared the prosecution of the private use of cannabis to be unconstitutional. See
BBC News Aug 26, 2009. (last updated Aug 26, 2015)
No amount of cannabis is legal to possess in Belgium, however possession of up to 3g of cannabis by adults, for personal use, is tolerated. It is also said that 1 female plant is tolerated. We have been told that if the possession meets the informal 'personal use' criteria, the police most often register the offense anonymously (do not record the individual's name) and the state will not prosecute. The criteria for this include: possession of an amount that is consumable in 24 hours (usually 3 grams or less), possession of leaf or bud and not oil or other processed product which are less tolerated; that the use is not around minors or while driving; and other factors that might indicate 'problematic use'. In practice, almost all non-problematic personal users will be registered anonymously. The criteria are described in Het Staatsblad published on June 2, 2003:
http://www.staatsbladclip.be/wetten/2003/06/02/wet-2003009496.html and
http://www.staatsbladclip.be/wetten/2003/06/02/wet-2003009479.html.Erowid has also been told that a new law to allow for medical use of cannabis has lead the police to be more forgiving about possession of small amounts of non-medicinal cannabis. We have been told that there is no legal way to buy or import cannabis or its seeds. See
ejustice.just.fgov.be (French only). (thanks Cholo, CG, FA.) (last updated Aug 2006)
Cannabis possession is criminal, but is not stricly enforced. Cannabis sativa is listed as a controlled substance, making the plant and all of its parts illegal to cultivate, distribute, or possess. Other cannabis species do not appear to be listed, though THC is separately scheduled. Presumably any THC-containing plant is illegal by extension. We have been told that as of 2007 cannabis prohibition is not vigorously enforced. (thanks P) (last updated Nov 14, 2015)
Cannabis is included in Schedule no. 1 of Bulgaria's
Drugs and Precursors Control Act. Plants in the genus Cannabis containing greater than .2% tetrahydrocannabinol by weight are illegal to grow, possess, or sell. (thanks GD)
As of January 2019, Cannabis has been effectively legalized in Canada, though the illegal ('black') markets have continued to thrive. In most places in Canada, it is now legal to smoke, use, and buy cannabis at age 18. There are a lot of complex details, but in most cases it is still illegal to grow cannabis without a license, though this is not enforces in most of the western states. There are further medical laws that allow prescription cannabis and cannabinoids in Canada, though these generally require prescription by medical personnel. See
Washington Post Jan 2019. (thanks all) (last updated Jan 5 2019)
In March, 2008 the Czech Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a medical cannabis grower, finding that growing cannabis is not necessarily "illegal production". While cannabis is still illegal to possess, use, and produce under Czech law, this ruling is expected to influence the way drug laws are interpreted by lower courts. (see
Radio Praha article)
Cannabis is prohibited. According to joh, "Seeds are legal to sell but illegal to import and export." (unconfirmed) (thanks JOH)
In April 2024 ("Cannabisgesetz"), adult cannabis use and possession were legalized. Possession of up to 50 grams per adult at home, 25grams of cannabis in public, legal to smoke in public with exceptions for schools, public events, and designated no smoking areas, and it's allowed to grow up to three plants per person at home. (Thanks FP) (last updated Dec 26, 2025)
Cannabis is controlled in Greece and illegal to grow or possess. We've received conflicting reports about how severely police treat minor possession offenses (less than 1 gram) with one submitter saying police are likely to overlook possession at that level and a March 2007 submitter saying that they were themselves prosecuted in southern Greece for 0.8 grams of cannabis and that raids on cannabis farms had increased over the last 3 years. (thanks Z, A) (last updated Mar 2007)
See also
Greek Drug Law and PolicyPossession, cultivation, sale, and import of cannabis is forbidden by the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance 30/06/1997. Any offense is punishable by a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 15 years. (thanks KGS) (last updated Nov 1, 2015)
Although India has a long history of the use of Cannabis, including involvement with religious traditions, it is illegal to grow or possess. In some areas, cannabis use is openly ignored by authorities, particularly during the festivals of Holi and ShivaRati. (see
Times of India article on bhang use). (thanks C)
Possession of ganja in Jamaica is decrminalized up to two ounces, it is legal to smoke where it is allowed to smoke cigarettes, and it is now legal to grow. Medical use has also been approved. Sale for recreational use is prohibited by Jamaican law, but the law is widely ignored and cannabis is sold openly in many markets. See
Dangerous Drugs Act 2015 Summary(PDF). (thanks J) (last updated Nov 14 2015)
Cannabis is prohibited under the
Japanese Cannabis Control Act. [see also
http://www.taima.org/en/law.htm]. (thanks E) However, viable cannabis seeds are available in headshop as of June 2005, selling for Y1300-Y2500 (12-23 USD) each. Growing the seeds is illegal and the shops have warnings that the seeds are just curiosity samples and the shop will not answer questions about cultivation. (unconfirmed) (thanks S4M)
Cannabis is illegal in Malta (Schedule 1). Possession for personal use is mostly decriminalized and subject to fine, but prison terms are usually given only for trafficking. (unconfirmed) (thanks EE)
In August 2009, a new law decrminalized a number of drugs, including cannabis, with small quantities of cannabis (up to 5 grams) not prosecuted as crimes. (thanks HB) (last updated Mar 11 2010)
Cannabis possession is decriminalized up to only 5 grams and it is still sold openly in some "coffee shops". The legal status of cannabis in the Netherlands has vacilated from more to less restrictive over the last forty years.
Although cannabis is technically illegal to possess and sell in the Netherlands, the government does not prosecute individuals (over 18) who smoke cannabis. Possession of less than 5 grams or growing of less than 5 plants will not be prosecuted. Cannabis seeds are reportedly not controlled and are legal to possess and sell. Certain cafes/coffee shops are allowed to sell cannabis and hold 100 grams behind the counter and another 500 grams in the back. Paradoxically, we have received unconfirmed reports that coffee shops are not allowed to legally purchase cannabis. In March of 2003, the Dutch government changed the law to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis for medical purposes through pharmacies.
BBC Sep 2003.
On Jan 1, 2008, Dutch police will officially be disallowed from smoking cannabis while off duty.
Dutch police complain it is their right to smoke cannabis while off-duty, Dec 15 2007, DailyMail. (last updated Nov 14, 2015)
Cannabis is a Class B controlled drug in New Zealand. It is illegal to cultivate, possess, or sell. (thanks CH) (last updated Nov 14, 2015)
Recreational use, possession, and distribution of cannabis are ilelgal in Norway and no medical exception is allowed. The penalty for possession of small quantities of Cannabis (less than 15 g) is normally 3000 NOK. For more than 15 g, higher penalties apply and can include community service and jail in some cases. The Norwegian police does not punish use, possession and distribution of Marijuana as harshly as hashish, and hashish in Norway is often adulterated with other ingredients. (unconfirmed) (thanks S and numerous others)(last updated Nov 7 2015)
Technical legal status unknown, assumed to be controlled, however reports indicate that smoking cannabis is tolerated and not prosecuted. "A 2010 report by Open Radio for North Korea, an American nongovernmental organization based in Seoul, cited an anonymous North Korean source as saying that Kim Jong Un's regime does not consider marijuana to be a drug." See
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/08/marijuana-in-north-korea_n_4067341.html?utm_hp_ref=tw. (last updated Oct 11, 2013)
We have been told that in Peshawar and the northern parts of Pakistan, smoking Hash (Charas) is socially acceptable and even sold on an open market where the government does not intrude. One can be jailed for up to six months if they are caught with Charas in other parts of the country, but it's apparently very common to bribe the police with as little as $5-20 to get out of an arrest. We are also told that many shops have Charas behind the counter, but only sell to known customers. (unconfirmed) (thanks IM) (last updated May 2006) See
Drug Law : Pakistan.
According to Article 2999 in the Peruvian penal code, personal possession of small amounts individual drugs is not a crime. The list of maximum quantities include 2000mg of cocaine, 5000 mg cocaine basic paste, 8000 mg of cannabis, 2000mg of cannabis derivatives, 1000 mg of opium latex or 200mg of opium derivatives, 250mg of MDA or MDMA. See
http://howtoperu.com/2012/03/27/drugs-in-peru-laws-of-possession/. (unconfirmed) (thanks cr) (last updated Feb 26, 2013)
Possession of cannabis is illegal in Poland. Even small amounts (1g) are not tolerated and penalties can be high. Since Jun 2005 according to the new law, a new resocialization program for drug addicts has been formed as a alternative to putting young people in prison. Cannabis is still a public enemy treated the same way as 'hard drugs'. (thanks RaN)
In 2006 an Erowid reader told us that possession of seeds is legal in Poland, and they are available through online vendors. (unconfirmed) (thanks D) (last updated Nov 2015)
Effective July 2001, personal use of cannabis was decriminalized by Law 30/2000 (see
text of law). Possession of less than 25 g leaves and flowering tops, 5 g resin, 2.5 g oil, or 500 mg THC is not regarded as a criminal offense, though the substance is liable to be seized and the possessor can be referred to mandatory treatment. Sale, or possession of quantities greater than the personal possession limit, are criminal offenses punishable by jail time. We are told the police have a rather tolerant attitude towards cannabis consumption in major cities, and it is largely ignored. (thanks P)
According to a contributor: "Cannabis growing, possession or selling is prohibited. Seeds have no legal status (neither legal nor illegal). If you are caught with seeds they will take them and you will receive not more than a warning. Possession of small amounts (1-3 grams) is only punishable by a small fine (~ $150-200). For bigger quantities possession or for growing (only for personal use) you can stay 3 or 6 years in prison. If you sell cannabis you can take over 6 years in prison." (unconfirmed) (thanks EG)
Cannabis is a prohibited drug under Russian law. We have been told that the 2003 change to decriminalize personal possession of small amounts has been rescinded, but have been unable to confirm that. Previously, in Dec 2003, personal possession of up to 20 g of cannabis was legalized (see
article). (thanks o, QBM) (Last updated Oct 14 2011)
Cannabis is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, making it illegal to cultivate, sell, or possess.
It is generally said that it is legal to keep and smoke cannabis inside one's own home with the windows closed. Spanish laws about cannabis possession are not 100% clear. Possession and use are illegal, but there may be an exception for private behavior. If someone can see or detect you using it, it is potentially a crime. Cannabis is illegal in Spain, with small amounts punishable by fine. Larger amounts, cultivation, or sale are punishable by jail terms. Cannabis seeds are legal and are commonly available for purchase. (last updated Nov 14, 2015)
Possession and sale of cannabis are illegal in Sweden. Possession of up to 50 g usually results in a fine, 50 to 2500 g usually leads to 2 weeks to 1 year imprisonment, more than 2.5 kg generally results in 2 years - 10 years imprisonment. (unconfirmed) (thanks KW, M, H) (Last Updated Apr 11, 2009)
Cannabis is a schedule 2 narcotic in Taiwan, and possession can result in up to 3 years imprisonment. (thanks LN) (last updated Nov 1 2015)
United Kingom (U.K., England)
#Cannabis possession is a crime in the United Kingdom with no exception for medical use. Cannabis was reclassified as a
Class B drug in Britain in January 2009.
- Oct, 2008 - A draft order was proposed to return cannabis to Class B, effective Jan 26, 2009. The proposed amendment would add cannabinol, cannabinol derivatives, and cannabis resin to the statute, also under Class B. It is to be debated in Fall 2008.Draft MDA Amendment, OPSI.
- Oct 14, 2008 - Effective Jan 26 2009, possession of cannabis will result in a warning on first offense, an £80 fine on second offense, and possible arrest on third offense.Telegraph UK.
- May 7, 2008 - Home secretary Jacqui Smith accounces intention to reclassify cannabis as Class B, subject to parliamentary approval.BBC News.
- Jan 2006 - Home Secretary Announces Cannabis will stay in Class C, despite controversy in 2005, but that the Home Office will seek an "overhaul" of the drug classification system. Seehttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/jan/20/drugsandalcohol.immigrationpolicy andHome Office News.
- Jan 29, 2004 - Cannabis reclassified to Class C.Q&A: Reclassifying Cannabis, UK Guardian
- Jul 10, 2002 -Britain Announces Moving Cannabis to Class C (andBBC: Cannabis Laws eased by Blunkett). Most possessions would be given only a warning, but the plan could take a year to change the rules across Britain.
- Nov 2001 -The British government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs issued a report raising serious questions about total Cannabis prohibition and examining several alternatives.
(last updated Nov 2 2015)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please
let us know.
