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Cannabis Laws by Country

A plain-English starting point covering 10 countries and legal systems. Every entry links back to an official source.

ImportantLaws change and local rules can be stricter. Check the official source before possessing, growing, buying, driving or travelling. This guide is not legal advice.

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Recreational use illegalEurope

United Kingdom

Recreational possession, supply and cultivation remain unlawful. Specialist doctors can prescribe qualifying cannabis-based medicines.

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Tolerated under strict conditionsEurope

Netherlands

Cannabis remains illegal in law, but small retail sales in tolerated coffeeshops are permitted under strict national and local rules.

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Limited adult possession permittedEurope

Germany

Adults may possess and privately cultivate cannabis within statutory limits; commercial recreational sales are not generally open.

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Legal and regulated for adultsNorth America

Canada

Federal law permits regulated adult access, while provinces, territories and municipalities set additional age, retail and public-use rules.

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Federal prohibition; state laws varyNorth America

United States

State rules range from adult-use legalisation to prohibition, but cannabis remains controlled under federal law while rescheduling proceedings continue.

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Private home use partly permittedEurope

Luxembourg

Adults may grow a limited number of plants at home and consume privately; public possession and supply remain restricted.

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Illegal with limited exceptionsEurope

Switzerland

Adult use of cannabis containing at least 1% THC is prohibited, although possession of up to 10 grams for personal use is not a criminal offence.

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Recreational laws vary by stateOceania

Australia

Non-medical cannabis is generally prohibited, with offences and limited exceptions differing between states and territories.

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Recreational use illegalOceania

New Zealand

Recreational cannabis remains illegal. Qualifying medicinal products are available only through a lawful prescription route.

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Partly decriminalised adult frameworkEurope

Malta

Malta has a regulated, non-commercial adult framework, but cannabis is not simply legal without limits and many activities remain offences.

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Checked 9 August 2026. This is an editorial overview, not a substitute for current local legal advice.