We’ve extensively expanded and updated this guide for early 2020 — and we’re very glad that we had to do so! Marijuana laws are changing constantly and rapidly, in the US and around the world.
It means that progress is being made.
Much still needs to be done of course.
But cannabis legalization is spreading faster than ever before, and more and more of the world is starting to recognize the harms and absurdity of prohibition. Read on to find out where cannabis is now legal, in what form and to what extent.
And here’s to the next update! 😉
What’s Legal and Where
Visiting another country or the US? Confused by the marijuana laws there?
While it is legal to consume any drug in Oregon in the United States, the Philippines has passed a law permitting anyone to murder a drug dealer with no punishment!
This article will take you around Europe, the Americas and Australasia and show you what it’s currently legal to do and where when it comes to weed—medical and recreational.
We will also take a brief look at certain countries with the craziest anti-drugs laws in the world, places where it could be suicidal even to have any weed on you.
Marijuana Laws in the United States
Nine states and Washington DC have either decriminalized or legalized all use of marijuana. On top of this, 29 states now permit medical use of cannabis. The industry now makes $10 billion annually in sales, so should there be a crackdown from the Federal government the genie is out of the bottle. In addition a recent Gallup poll suggests that 64% of Americans support legalization in some form.
It is important to note though that marijuana is a Schedule 1 narcotic under Federal Law so you could still in theory be arrested by Federal agents for possession.
Even in states where recreational use is permitted, some employers may drug test you and fire you for use.
National politics are on a different planet than state laws so at some point there may or may not be a crackdown by the Trump administration. (With Trump, who knows? While he has recently backed states’ right to make their own cannabis laws, among the many things for which he’s rightly notorious is the sheer frequency with which he contradicts his past statements.)
You should always be careful about carrying anything including pipes with any residue across state lines (even between states that permit use) or flying while in possession as you could be arrested by the FBI, DEA or ATF.
Recreational use permitted:
Maine, Massachusetts, Colorado, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, DC
Medical use permitted:
New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut Maryland, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
(Inc DC and Puerto Rico, 31 total)
Decriminalization:
Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina
Source: http://www.governing.com/gov-data/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html
Laws by state:
The following information on marijuana legality in the US was harvested from ProCon.org.
Abbreviations:
TBD: To Be Determined
THC: Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol – the main psychoactive substance in cannabis
CBD: Cannabidiol – a secondary psychoactive substance in cannabis.
Alaska
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum May possess 6 plants of which 3 may be mature + 1oz
Possession type Herbal, concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much 6 plants, 3 mature
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or home grown
Other laws on consumption Alaska state law detail can be found here
Arizona
Medical only
Possession maximum 12 plants, 2.5oz usable
Possession type Herbal, concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much 12 plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or grown at home
Other laws on consumption Medical program can be found here
Arkansas
Medical only
Possession maximum 3oz every 14 days
Possession type Herbal, concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption Medical program can be found here
California
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 8oz usable, 12 immature or 6 mature plants
Possession type Herbal or concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much 12 immature / 6 mature plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries / grown at home
Other laws on consumption State law detail can be found here
It is important to note that some cities in CA, notably Fresno and surrounding areas, have banned recreational supply dispensaries.
Colorado
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 28 grams, 6 plants (3 mature + 3 immature)
Possession type Herbal / concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much 6 plants (3 mature + 3 immature)
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries / home grows
Other laws on consumption Cannot be smoked outdoors. Cannot be smoked inside commercial premises. Careful when you eat it because ingestion can hit very hard a lot later than inhaling. State law detail can be found here
Connecticut
Medical only
Possession maximum 2.5 oz
Possession type Herbal / concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption CT medical marijuana laws can be found here
Delaware
Medical only
Possession maximum 6oz
Possession type Herbal concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption DE medical marijuana program can be found here
Florida
Medical only
Possession maximum To be determined (TBD) as of March 17
Possession type TBD
Personal grows permitted – how much TBD
Where cannabis can be bought TBD
Other laws on consumption FL medical marijuana program can be seen here
Hawaii
Medical only
Possession maximum 4oz, 7 plants
Possession type Concentrates / herbal
Personal grows permitted – how much 7 plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries / grown at home
Other laws on consumption State MJ program can be found here
Illinois
Medical only
Possession maximum 2.5oz every 14 days
Possession type Concentrate / herbal
Personal grows permitted – how much None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption IL medical cannabis program can be found here
LouisianaÂ
Medical only
Possession maximum 30 day supply of non-smokable form
Possession type Non smokable form
Personal grows permitted No
Where can be bought From one of 10 state licensed dispensaries.
Other laws on consumption Full state regulations can be found here
Maine
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 2.5oz, 6 plants
Possession type Concentrates / herbal
Personal grows permitted – how much 6 plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries / home
Other laws on consumption Detail of ME law can be seen here
You cannot legally buy marijuana in Maine. In November 2017 the governor vetoed a state bill permitting regulation and taxation. Negotiations are under way between the legislature and governor.
Maryland
Medical only
Possession maximum 30 day supply max 4oz from Sept 2017
Possession type Concentrates / herbal
Personal grows permitted – how much None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption MD state medical program can be found here
Massachusetts
Medical + Recreational
Possession maximum 10oz
Possession type Herbal / concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption Detail on law can be found here
Michigan
Medical only
Possession maximum 2.5oz, 12 plants
Possession type Herbal / concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much 12 plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or grown at home
Other laws on consumption Medical marihuana program can be found here
Minnesota
Medical only
Possession maximum 30 day supply non-smokable
Possession type pills, oil, topical and liquid only
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption: Must only be from state licensed manufacturers and cannot be in a smokable form. State website for laws here.
Mississippi
Decriminalized
First time offence, no prison time or criminal record for a small quantity. Will be treated like a minor traffic conviction.
Larger amounts or a second time offence could land you with jail time, a heavy fine or a driving ban.
Missouri
Decriminalized
First time offence, no prison time or criminal record for a small quantity. Will be treated like a minor traffic conviction.
Larger amounts or a second time offence could land you with jail time, a heavy fine or a driving ban.
A bill for legal medical marijuana has also been making good progress and is due to go before the state Senate. However, there are a few doubts about whether it will clear the final hurdles.
Montana
Medical only
Possession maximum 1oz usable 4 mature plants, 12 seedlings
Possession type Herbal, concentrates
Personal grows permitted 4 mature, 12 seedlings
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or grown at home
Other laws on consumption FAQs on law can be found here
Nevada
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 2.5oz usable, 12 plants
Possession type Herbal, concentrates
Personal grows permitted – how much 12 plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries, or grown at home (but only if you live more than 25 miles from nearest dispensary)
Interesting Nevada fact – Liquor distributors in NV have claimed the exclusive right to distribute marijuana, leading to a sudden shortage state-wide when weed was recently legalized
Other laws on consumption NV law guide can be found here
New Hampshire
Medical only
Possession maximum 2oz every 10 days
Possession type Herbal, concentrates
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption NH medical MJ program can be found here
New Jersey
Medical only
Possession maximum 2oz usable
Possession type Herbal / concentrates
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption State medical marijuana program can be found here
New Mexico
Medical only
Possession maximum 6oz, 16 plants
Possession type Herbal / recreational
Personal grows permitted – how much 4 mature, 12 immature
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries / grown at home
Other laws on consumption State medical cannabis program can be found here
New York
Medical only
Possession maximum 30 day supply in non-smokable form
Possession type Only concentrates
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption State Medical cannabis program details can be accessed here.
North Carolina
Decriminalized
First time offence, no prison time or criminal record for a small quantity. Will be treated like a minor traffic conviction.
Larger amounts or a second time offence could land you with jail time, a heavy fine or a driving ban.
North Dakota
Medical only
Possession maximum 3oz per 14 days
Possession type Herbal / concentrates
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption Laws to be fully clarified
Ohio
Medical only
Possession maximum 90 day supply
Possession type oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, patches.
Personal grows permitted – Growers regulations here
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption While laws are being clarified, less than 100 grams (3.5 oz.) possession can result in driver license suspension or a fine. Law summary here.
Oregon
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 24oz usable, 24 plants
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted 24 plants, 6 mature, 18 immature
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or at home
Other laws on consumption The most liberal drug laws in the USA. Full detail of marijuana laws can be seen here. Any narcotic for personal use may soon be decriminalized as well. See news story here
Pennsylvania
Medical only However, in Philadelphia you will not be prosecuted for possession for recreational purposes as of 2018.
Possession maximum 30 day supply
Possession type Unless specifically permitted, not in plant form
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries
Other laws on consumption Regulations can be found here
Puerto Rico
Medical only
Possession maximum 30 day supply
Possession type Non smokable concentrates
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries only
Other laws on consumption High Times article on subject here
Rhode Island
Medical only
Possession maximum 2.5oz, 12 plants
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted – how much 12 plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or grown at home
Other laws on consumption State medical program can be found here
Vermont
Medical only
Possession maximum 2oz, 9 plants
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted – how much 9 plants, 2 mature, 7 immature
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or grown at home
Other laws on consumption VT medical MJ program can be found here
VT became the first state to legalize through its legislature and not through a ballot in early 2018. There are no legal dispensaries.
Washington
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 8oz usable, 6 plants
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted – how much 6 plants
Where cannabis can be bought Dispensaries or grown at home
Other laws on consumption Detail of the law can be found here
Washington DC
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 2oz, 6 plants
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted – how much 6 plants, of which 3 immature
Where cannabis can be bought If sold by someone over 21, from anyone or dispensaries. Can be grown at home.
Other laws on consumption Explanation of DC law can be found here
West Virginia
Medical only
Possession maximum 30 day supply, TBD
Possession type TBD
Personal grows permitted – how much TBD
Where cannabis can be bought TBD
Other laws on consumption TBD
Cannabis Legality in Other Countries
Canada
As of summer 2018, provinces are allowed to regulate marijuana use, growth and sale for recreational purposes. There is no fixed date set for the law to be passed in the national legislature due to strong opposition from the Conservative Party. It is likely to be legalized before the summer recess in 2018. Different provinces will handle legalization in different ways. Though the industry is set to explode across the country, there will be different ways of handling it according to where you are in Canada.
From Summer 2018:
Recreational However, see below for laws in each province
Alberta
Minimum age: 18
Possession limit Product: 30 grams legally produced
Personal grow limits: 4 plants per household
Where you can buy:Â State licensed dispensaries or online through AGLC
Driving impairment law:Â Same as alcohol
Impairment at work: Under review
British Colombia
Minimum age: 19
Possession limits: 30 grams in a public place
Personal grow limits: 4 plants, must not be visible from outside residence
Where you can buy: Province owned dispensaries. Licensed private stores.
Driving Impairment law: 90 Day Administrative Driving Prohibition for drug driving. Zero tolerance for those on Graduated Licensing Program.
Manitoba
Minimum age: 19
Possession limit: TBD
Personal grow limit: Zero – not allowed
Where you can buy: Licensed private stores and public dispensaries. Online through private stores.
Driving Impairment law: Being revisited by government
New Brunswick
Minimum age: 19
Possession limit: 30 grams unsealed
Personal grow limit: Must be secured inside property
Where you can buy: Licensed stores, online
Driving impairment: Temporary driving ban, possible impoundment of vehicle. Zero tolerance for under 21 drivers under the influence.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Minimum age: 19
Possession limit: Only can be consumed in private residences. Amount to be determined Spring 18
Personal grow limit: To be fixed Spring 18
Where you can buy: Licensed dispensaries. Online only through Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC)
Driving Impairment: To be fixed Spring 18
Northwest Territories
Minimum age: 19
Possession limit: 30 grams
Personal grow: 4 plants
Where you can buy: Through NWT Liquor Commission licensed premises
Driving impairment: Being considered
Nova Scotia
Minimum age: 19
Possession limit: 30 grams
Personal grow limit: 4 plants
Where you can buy: Strictly through Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC). Online through NSLC stores too.
Driving impairment: ToBD
Minimum age: 19
Possession limit: 30 grams
Personal grow limits: 4 plants
Where you can buy: Online only through GN website
Driving impairment: New laws proposed
Workplace impairment: Being considered by government
Ontario
Minimum age: 19
Possession limits: Only allowed to consume in private residences though hotels and ‘cannabis lounges’ being considered
Personal grows: Zero
Where you can buy: Only through Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores.
Driving impairment: Temporary bans, zero tolerance for under 21s.
Prince Edward Island (PEI)
Minimum age: 18
Possession limits: 30 grams
Personal grows: 4 plants
Where you can buy: Licensed dispensaries
Driving impairment:Â Special summary offence where a minor is in the car. Driving bans can be imposed too.
Quebec
Minimum age: 18
Possession limit: 150 grams
Personal grows: Zero
Where you can buy: Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQC) stores only with ‘some exceptions’.
Driving impairment: Zero tolerance.
Saskatchewan
No firm regulations in place as of publication
Yukon
No firm regulations in place as of publication.
Chile
All public production and consumption is legal. This is being regulated backwards by Congress now, which is considering a bill to grow up to six plants for ‘medical, recreational or spiritual reasons’.
Colombia
Personal use and possession decriminalised. Possession of up to 20 plants or 20 grams will be ignored.
14 medical marijuana dispensaries have recently been licensed, with users permitted to use with a medical prescription.
Jamaica
Rastafarians can grow and use.
Personal grows of up to 5 plants permitted
Public use illegal.
Mexico
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 5 grams recreational (decriminalized) Medical TBD
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted – how much None
Where cannabis can be bought (Decriminalized) from streets. Medical program being fleshed out.
Other laws on consumption Law a bit of a mess but being slowly clarified. Growing can be an arrestable offense. Police can be bribed. 5 grams possession decriminalized. Medical program only permits strains of a maximum of 1% THC – many debate therapeutic potential at this level.
Peru
In November 2017 Peru passed a medical marijuana legalization law. It is legal to possess, sell and transport it for medical purposes but it is illegal to grow it.
Uruguay
Fully legalized for medical or recreational purposes.
Weed Laws in Europe
Europe has a variety of drugs laws where the police may turn a blind eye to small scale use in different countries. We present the highlights here, though these are not the only countries where the police may turn a blind eye due to other priorities.
Czech Republic
With a doctor’s prescription you can access medical marijuana through pharmacies. It is imported from The Netherlands and there are frequent shortages.
The country has lax enforcement for recreational use. In many nightlife areas, smoking is tolerated.
Denmark
Freetown, a suburb of Copenhagen is a ‘Green Light District’ where national marijuana laws are disregarded by the police. Outside of Freetown it is still illegal and could result in prosecution.
Finland
Medical only
Possession Limited to up to 15 grammes
Possession type Bedrocan, Bediol, Bedica
Where it can be bought: Through pharmacies.
Other notes: With strict medical agreement from your doctor you can apply to access marijuana through the Finnish government FIMEA.
Germany
Medical use with a prescription. Without one if you are busted this is a health issue and not a crime – you will have to undertake state supported withdrawal.
Greece
Medical marijuana was legalized in mid 2018 though full details are yet to emerge as to what is legal and how. A new project has been launched to grow and sell it, projected to create well paid 2000 jobs in a country struggling with a financial crisis.
Italy
Medical use only
Doctor must try alternative treatments for a condition first.
Supply bought from a pharmacy which can only buy supply from the Italian Army, which grows it in a fortified facility in Florence. Physician will have to see you each time you need to get a repeat prescription.
Macedonia
Medical use only
Possession type Oil with a maximum content of 0.2% allowed over the counter. Doctors will have to prescribe an oil containing more than 0.2% cannabinoids.
Only neurologists, radiologists, infectious diseases specialists and oncologists can prescribe for specific conditions.
The Netherlands
Cannabis use is only ‘tolerated’ in the Netherlands. You are still breaking the law by growing, trading or smoking it. It is not ‘legal’, and therefore is not taxed, though there are set regulations governing what and where can be grown, sold or consumed. This varies from city to city so do check before you grow.
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 5 grams for recreational use. Coffee shops are allowed to stock up to 5oz. Medical cannabis differs, though is much harder to get, and the varieties available are limited so many Dutch use coffee shops instead of the state medical programme.
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted – how much None. The police raid grow operations too and you can be hit with a €67,000 fine.
Where cannabis can be bought Medical – through licensed dispensaries. Recreational – Coffee shops that are not within 350 metres of a school (Amsterdam) Other cities only permit Dutch citizens with a ‘weed pass’ to purchase.
Other laws on consumption A critical explanation of the Dutch medicinal cannabis laws can be found here. Recreational – a new law is passing through the Dutch Parliament to allow certain growers to grow and supply coffee shops. Home growing is still very risky.
Poland
Medical use only, and in theory accessible through 90% of Polish medical pharmacies.
Growing illegal, so has to be imported. Supplies consequently difficult to access. Law only passed in late 2017 so this should stabilize in the next 12 months as the law is clarified.
Portugal
Drug use is considered a medical problem in Portugal. You cannot be arrested for small quantities of most substances.
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum 2.5 grams weed, 0.5 grams hashish, 0.05 grams pure THC
Possession type See above
Personal grows permitted – how much None. Expect jail time. Possession of seeds or growing equipment can result in jail too.
Where cannabis can be bought Nowhere. Someone selling personal use quantities of cannabis can face a less arduous punishment than someone selling kilos though.
Other laws on consumption A very good explanation of Portuguese cannabis laws can be found here
Spain
While you cannot purchase cannabis legally in Spain there are some very liberal drug laws. In some places, the police won’t bother you if you’re smoking a joint outside. Take care to understand the law below, however as you could still be thrown in jail for not observing the law.
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum ‘Personal use’. Don’t carry enough to get a busload of people caned. You are allowed to grow your own for personal consumption, though this is not legally limited.
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted – how much You will not be arrested for growing for personal consumption. You are allowed to buy seeds and cultivation equipment. You are not allowed to sell it.
Where cannabis can be bought Nowhere! It is illegal to sell, though some authorities such as Catalonia have effectively decriminalized the sale of small quantities. Cannabis clubs are extremely popular where friends can pass a joint round.
Other laws on consumption Explanation of cannabis laws here. Medical cannabis association can be found here
Switzerland
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum With less than 1% THC, as much as you like. Other strengths, police won’t bother you for personal use
Possession type Cannabis products with less than 1% CBD
Personal grows permitted – how much. Permitted to grow low THC, high CBD plants. The Swiss love CBD!
Where cannabis can be bought Through headshops as you might other cannabis paraphernalia. Again, sub 1% THC cannabis products only.
Other laws on consumption High Times article can be found here (Jan 2017)
Turkey
Medical only, and in only 19 of its 81 provinces. The law has yet to be clarified.
Recreational possession or use can be punished with two years in prison, or up to 10 years for sale.
Selected other countries
Australia
Medical only
Possession maximum TBD
Possession type Oil or vaporizer form
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought TBD though it is expected that cannabis dispensaries will be permitted to sell.
Other laws on consumption The law was only passed in February 2017. The laws has yet to be fully fleshed out. See an article from Australia here
India
People have used cannabis in India for 5000 years. The British didn’t succeed in eradicating it in more than 300 years of occupation. And despite the 1985 Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, no one really cares. You will see spiritual people smoking the stuff outside of temples regardless. A law only works if people generally observe it. If no one cares then it won’t work!
Before you light up a joint, do check with the locals. It is considered legal in Goa, the Parvati Valley, Varanasi, Pushkar, and Kerala.
Under the national law, bhang is legal everywhere. This is a milky, sweet drink with cannabis in it, generally drunk in large quantities around the Hindu festival of Holi.
Israel
Medical + recreational
Possession maximum Personal use
Possession type Any
Personal grows permitted None
Where cannabis can be bought Nowhere
Other laws on consumption In early 2017 it was decriminalized for personal use. You will be finned 1000 Shekels if busted for the 4th time. Keep your grow to yourself and don’t be too wild in front of the police or military.
Stupidest places in the world to touch drugs
Philippines
If you have 0.3oz you are considered a drug trafficker. That means the person catching you – anyone in the Philippines – has the right to execute you. Yes – execute you without trial.
Saudi Arabia
A great place for a complete detox. Even smuggling in alcohol can result in you being tried under Sharia Law and beheaded in a public square.
Indonesia
You can get 20 years for smoking weed. Not dealing – smoking. Now that is a place to get paranoid…
Image credit: Amsterdam Coffee Shop Menu.
