Cannabis by country
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
Whether adults may possess, grow, buy or use cannabis, and how medical cannabis is handled. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Possession for personal use | Growing at home | Sale to consumers | Use or carrying in public places | Medical cannabis | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Legal for adults within limits | Up to 3 plants at home | Members-only clubs | Banned in listed places and times | On prescription via pharmacies | Public limit open; rest for residents |
| Netherlands | Not prosecuted up to 5 g | Prohibited; up to 5 plants seized only | Coffeeshops tolerated | ⚠ Not yet verified | Supplied via pharmacies | Coffeeshops: residents only |
| United Kingdom | Criminal offence | Prohibited | Supply is an offence | Possession offence applies anywhere | On prescription by specialists | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| France | Criminal offence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Offering or selling is an offence | Use is a criminal offence | Closed trial; transition only | Source silent on visitors |
| Spain | Not a crime; fine in public | Cultivation is a crime | Trafficking is a crime | Fine in public places | On hospital specialist prescription | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Italy | Administrative sanctions | Cultivation prohibited | ⚠ Not yet verified | Administrative sanction | ⚠ Not yet verified | Applies to foreigners; permit may be suspended |
| United States | Federal offence; Schedule I | Prohibited under federal law | Prohibited under federal law | — | — | — |
| Canada | Legal within limits | Yes, up to 4 plants per home | Provincially authorised sellers | — | Yes, federal medical access | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Mexico | No prosecution up to 5 g (personal use) | ⚠ Not yet verified | No legal retail sale | Not before minors or non-consenting others | Yes, on special prescription | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ireland | Criminal offence | Prohibited without a licence | Supply is an offence | Possession offence applies anywhere | On prescription by consultants, registered | Applies to any person; no residency test |
| Australia | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes, via TGA schemes | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Poland | Criminal offence (small amounts may be dropped) | Prohibited (cannabis other than fibre hemp) | Trade and supply are offences | ⚠ Not yet verified | Compounded medicines on prescription | Applies to anyone; no residency test |
| Portugal | Administrative offence | Criminal offence, even for own use | Selling is a criminal offence | Use is an offence anywhere | Legal on prescription, from pharmacies | Law silent on visitors |
| Belgium | Offence; low priority up to 3 g | One plant: low priority | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Sweden | Criminal offence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Sale prohibited | Use is an offence | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Austria | Criminal offence | Prohibited | Prohibited | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Switzerland | Punishable offence (fine) | Growing is banned | Sale is banned; authorised pilot trials only | Use banned; adults: CHF 100 fixed fine | Medical use is excepted from the ban | Applies to any person; no residency test |
| Czechia | Legal for over-21s up to 100 g at home, 25 g out | Over-21s: up to 3 plants | Unauthorised sale is a crime; no shops | ⚠ Not yet verified | On prescription, as individually prepared medicine | Applies to anyone over 21; no residency test |
| Finland | Criminal offence | Cultivation for use as a drug is banned | Sale prohibited | Use is an offence | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Norway | Criminal offence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Sale prohibited | Use is prohibited | Prescription by doctors, restricted | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Japan | Criminal offence | Prohibited | Supply is an offence | Use is an offence | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Before you rely on it
This comparison covers national rules, and for the United States and Canada also state or provincial rules. Other regional or local rules can apply on top of them, and rules change. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details before you act.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.