Countries Where Weed is Legal in 2024

Marijuana laws are are complicated ang changing at a rapid pace around the globe, making things a bit confusing at times.

Some countries have fully legalized recreational marijuana, while others have only approved medical use.

There are also countries where marijuana has been decriminalized, a legal gray area that means that cannabis is not legal for personal use but won’t result in harsh penalties.

Are you wondering what the marijuana laws are in your country or your travel destination country?

This marijuana legalization guide clearly defines the laws in each country and remains up-to-date with the latest changes on a monthly basis.

It’s important to understand and respect the rules that vary across the world regarding marijuana use. Whether you’re a visiting tourist or a resident the following information will help you steer clear of any misunderstandings or trouble.

Countries Where Weed is Legal in 2024

Marijuana laws are changing. As of 2024, approximately half of the world's countries have legalized some form of medical marijuana.

Moreover, a growing number of countries are establishing legal guidelines for recreational marijuana use.

Approximately 22 countries have decriminalized recreational cannabis, and roughly a dozen have specifically legalized it.

Here is the full list of countries where cannabis is legalised:

1. Uruguay

It's legal to possess and use cannabis in Uruguay.

Indeed, it was the first country in the world to legalise recreational cannabis, in December 2013.

2. Georgia

The country of Georgia has legalized the consumption of marijuana, making it the first former member of the now-defunct Soviet Union to do so.

The Constitutional Court of Georgia delivered its decision on the unconstitutionality of universal ban on marijuana consumption in July 2018.

3. Canada

In October 2018, Canada legalized recreational cannabis use nationwide, allowing adults to possess and consume marijuana within certain limits.

4. Mexico

Weed is legal in Mexico, including recreational marijuana and medical cannabis.

Under the new law in June 2021, anyone over the age of 18 in Mexico will be able to purchase and possess less than 28 grams of cannabis.

5. Malta

Malta became the first country in the European Union to legalize cannabis for adult-use in December 2021.

Under the Cannabis Reform Act, consumers are now permitted to carry up to 7g of cannabis in public and grow four plants at home, without risk of prosecution.

6. Luxembourg

In July 2023, Luxembourg became one of the only European countries to legalise the recreational use of cannabis.

The legalization of adult-use cannabis in Luxembourg allows for the possession, consumption, and cultivation of up to three grams.

7. Netherlands

Despite cannabis being illegal in the Netherlands, the country has long maintained a policy of tolerance, allowing coffee shops to operate legally, even though cultivation remains prohibited.

8. Thailand

Thailand became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalize cannabis in June 2022. But Recreational cannabis is still illegal according to Thai law.

9. Portugal

Portugal was one of the first countries to decriminalize marijuana in 2001, and medical marijuana was legalized in 2018.

However, buying and selling recreational marijuana remains illegal — trafficking cannabis in Portugal can result in a one- to five-year prison sentence.

10. Jamaica

The decriminalization of marijuana in Jamaica occurred in 2015, a significant milestone in the country’s cannabis history.

This change in legislation made it permissible to possess up to two ounces (57 grams) of marijuana for personal use without the risk of criminal charges.

In addition to decriminalising small amounts of cannabis, Jamaica has also legalized the use of cannabis for medical and therapeutic purposes.

11. Chile

Recreational marijuana remains banned in the Chile.

The country legalized medical cannabis in December 2015, authorized homegrown cannabis for personal use, and decriminalized adult-use cannabis.

12. Ecuador

Cannabis is decriminalized in Ecuador, and a regulatory framework for a medical CBD market is fully in place. Individuals can purchase low-THC medical products from pharmacies.

However, Cannabis in Ecuador is illegal for personal recreational consumption as of November 2023.

13. Colombia

Cannabis in Colombia is fully legal for medicinal purposes (since 2016) and for industrial purposes (since 2021).

While cannabis is not strictly legal for personal use in Colombia, possession of a limited quantity of all drugs, including cannabis, has been decriminalized since 1994.

14. South Africa

South Africa changes its cannabis policy in May 2024, allowing possession and cultivation for personal use but not for sale.

Anyone 18 years or older can use cannabis at any place where the public doesn't have access as of right.

15. Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, cannabis is not legal for recreational use, but personal possession and use of small quantities of drugs has been decriminalized since January 2010 and medical cannabis has been legal since April 2013.

Additionally, cultivation and large-scale trafficking remain illegal.

16. Spain

In Spain, it is illegal to consume or possess cannabis in public places. However, it is legal to possess up to 100 grams of cannabis for personal and private use.

The criminal law states that the use, possession or production of cannabis for personal use, exclusively, does not constitute a crime.

There are more than 1600 cannabis clubs in spain, clubs that cultivate and allow the consumption of cannabis in a legal environment, exist in the country.

17. Argentina

Medical marijuana is legal in Argentina. The South American country has also decriminalized small quantities of weed for personal use.

Additionally, a decree was passed in 2020 authorizing home cultivation for approved medical marijuana patients.

18. Costa Rica

Medical cannabis in Costa Rica is legal as of March 2022.

Additionally, although marijuana is nominally illegal in Costa Rica, anyone found with it in their possession shouldn't face any criminal penalties.

19. Belize

Since November 2017, possession or use of up to 10 grams of cannabis in private has been decriminalized in Belize.

However, the growing of cannabis and trading of its products remain illegal.

20. Germany

Germany, since April 2024, has partly decriminalised marijuana use.

People over 18 in Germany are allowed to own and carry 25 grams (nearly 1 ounce) of cannabis for consumption.

What's more, hashish enthusiasts can now grow three cannabis plants in their own homes and store up to 50 grams of dried cannabis.

21. Parts of the United States

Cannabis is still illegal under federal law, which means you also cannot Use or possess cannabis on federal lands, like national parks.

However, For medical purposes, cannabis is legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

Furthermore, As of June 2024, recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states, or nearly half the country.

22. Parts of the Australia

Similar to the U.S., Australia does not allow the use at the national level, but cannabis can be used legally in the Australian Capital Territory, which includes the capital Canberra.

Countries With Legal Marijuana for Medical Use

Countries that have legalized medical use of cannabis include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and parts of united states.

Others have more restrictive laws that allow only the use of certain cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals, such as Turkey, Sativex, Marinol, or Epidiolex.

Countries With Legal Marijuana for recreational use

Countries that have legalized recreational use of cannabis are Canada, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay, plus parts of United States and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia.

Countries where weed is Totally Illegal

Some countries, especially some Asian and Middle Eastern countries, where cannabis remains illegal impose very strict penalties on people who travel with or consume marijuana within their borders.

These countries include Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Bahrain, Botswana, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Bahamas, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Comoros, Cameroon, Chad, China, Curacao, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Eswatini, Eritrea, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Jordan, Japan, Finland, France, Fiji, Guatemala, Guinea, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Greenland, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kazakhstan,Latvia, Liechtenstein, Liberia, Libya, Laos, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Myanmar, Mozambique, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Maldives, Montenegro, Macau, Iceland, Micronesia, Mongolia, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia,  Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, South Sudan, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Seychelles, Samoa, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Taiwan, The Central African Republic, The Philippines, The Republic of Benin, the Republic of the Congo, Solomon Islands, The United Arab Emirates, Togo, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Tonga, Venezuela, Vietnam, Vatican City, and Yemen.

How to Consume Cannabis Safely & Responsibly in Different Ways

Many people report using cannabis to reduce anger, relax, and relieve health symptoms, as well as to generally feel better.

If it's your first time smoking weed, it can be difficult to decide which method is best for you.

Common ways to smoke cannabis include joints, blunts, bongs, and pipes. 

Healthier alternatives to smoking weed include vaping (through dry herb vaporizers, vape pens,  etc), dabbing ( through dab rigs, dab straws, dab pens, etc), edibles, and tinctures. 

The most straightforward way to get into trouble with cannabis is by consuming too high a dosage of the main active ingredient, THC. 

As with any medicine or drug, it is safest to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time permitted.

Conclusion

Marijuana, cannabis, weed, whatever you call this psychoactive plant, its legality is a tricky subject.

The regulation of cannabis varies according to the nation and its conditions of use. It can be held for medical purposes, scientific purposes or even just for personal enjoyment.

It’s often illegal, but some countries take a more liberal view when it comes to recreational weed.

As such, it's crucial to verify regulations around any potential transaction on a country basis.

Stay informed of the most current legal status of cannabis wherever you travel, and always carry your medical marijuana card if you have a valid one.

We hope this article can help you.