Staying safe begins with knowing the rules where you are. This plain-language guide summarizes cannabis laws in major regions and links to our per-country pages for specifics. We update this page regularly and note fast-moving changes.
How to use this page: Start with your region below, then open the country page for details (possession limits, age, retail rules, impaired driving, import/export, and penalties). You can also check our Responsible Use Guide and our Information You Can Trust page for how we research and fact-check.
Quick Matrix: Status by Country (high-level)
Legend: Recreational (R), Medical (M), Illegal/Prohibited (I). Always verify on each country page and official links below.
| Country/Region | High-Level Status | Country Page |
|---|---|---|
| United States (federal) | I (federal Schedule I); state laws vary | /article/laws-united-states |
| Canada | R + M nationwide (Cannabis Act) | /article/laws-canada |
| Germany | R (limited personal & homegrow) + clubs model | /article/laws-germany |
| EU overview | No harmonized R; medical varies by state | /article/laws-eu-overview |
| Brazil | M (ANVISA framework); R illegal | /article/laws-brazil |
| India | I (NDPS Act) with narrow medical exceptions | /article/laws-india |
| Russia | I (strict federal prohibitions) | /article/laws-russia |
| Mexico | M regulated; adult-use reform pending/limited | /article/laws-mexico |
| United Kingdom | I for R; limited M under specialist scripts | /article/laws-united-kingdom |
| France | I for R; medical pilots/controls | /article/laws-france |
| Italy | I for R; M regulated (DPR 309/1990) | /article/laws-italy |
| Spain | I for R; private use tolerated; clubs vary; M limited | /article/laws-spain |
| Netherlands | I (Opium Act) with tolerated retail; pilots | /article/laws-netherlands |
| Australia | M national (TGA); adult-use varies by state/territory | /article/laws-australia |
| New Zealand | I for R; M under MoH pathways | /article/laws-new-zealand |
| South Africa | Private adult use/possession; non-commercial | /article/laws-south-africa |
| Argentina | M access expanded (REPROCANN); R illegal | /article/laws-argentina |
| Colombia | M regulated; personal dose rules | /article/laws-colombia |
| Uruguay | R + M (state-regulated) | /article/laws-uruguay |
| Israel | M program (MoH) | /article/laws-israel |
| Japan | I (Cannabis Control Act) | /article/laws-japan |
| South Korea | I for R; narrow M; extraterritorial enforcement noted | /article/laws-south-korea |
| Turkey | I for R; limited M permits | /article/laws-turkey |
| Switzerland | Pilot trials for non-medical sales; M regulated | /article/laws-switzerland |
| Portugal | Decriminalized use; trafficking illegal; M regulated | /article/laws-portugal |
| Czechia | Decriminalized small amounts; M regulated | /article/laws-czechia |
| Thailand | Shifting toward medical-only controls | /article/laws-thailand |
| Singapore | I with severe penalties | /article/laws-singapore |
| Indonesia | I (strict) | /article/laws-indonesia |
| China (PRC) | I; strict national controls | /article/laws-china |
| UAE | I; federal narcotics decree-law | /article/laws-uae |
| Saudi Arabia | I; strict narcotics law | /article/laws-saudi-arabia |
Date context: This overview reflects sources current to October 14, 2025. Laws can change quickly—always check the linked country page and official sources before acting.
North America
United States (federal)
Cannabis remains a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act; states and territories implement their own medical/adult-use schemes. Do not transport cannabis across state or national borders or onto federal property. See our country page: United States and dosing/impairment safety in the Responsible Use Guide.
Canada
Nationwide legal for adult-use and medical under the Cannabis Act (2018), with provincial differences in retail, possession, and public-use rules. See Canada for limits and impaired-driving rules.
Europe (selected)
- Germany: The Cannabisgesetz (CanG) (2024) allows limited personal possession, up to 3 home-grown plants, and non-profit clubs (strict rules). See Germany.
- EU overview: No harmonized EU law on non-medical cannabis. Member States vary (decriminalization vs. criminalization; medical frameworks). See EU Overview and country pages like /article/laws-france, /article/laws-italy, /article/laws-spain, /article/laws-netherlands.
Asia (selected)
- Thailand: 2025 policy tightening toward medical-only controls; rules are in flux. See Thailand before travel.
- Singapore: Illegal to possess, consume, or traffic; severe penalties (including capital punishment thresholds for trafficking). See Singapore.
- India, Indonesia, China (PRC), Japan, South Korea: Predominantly illegal for recreational; limited/controlled medical pathways vary—open the country page for specifics.
Latin America (selected)
- Uruguay: State-regulated adult-use and medical. See Uruguay.
- Colombia, Argentina, Brazil: Medical frameworks with licensing and compliance obligations; adult-use generally prohibited. See their pages for details.
Africa & Oceania (selected)
- South Africa: Private adult use/possession allowed (non-commercial). See South Africa.
- Australia, New Zealand: Medical at national level; adult-use restrictions and penalties differ by state/territory. See their pages for specifics.
Important Legal Disclaimer
- This guide is not legal advice. Always confirm with official government sources linked below and on each country page.
- Never carry cannabis across international borders or onto federal property (airports, federal parks, etc.).
- Where states/provinces set different rules (e.g., U.S., Canada, Australia), follow the strictest applicable rule.
Official Law Portals & Primary Statutes (selection)
- United States (DEA Scheduling): dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
- Canada (Cannabis Act): laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-24.5/
- Germany (Bundesgesetzblatt – CanG): bundesgesetzblatt.de
- EU overview: euda.europa.eu
- India (NDPS Act): legislative.gov.in
- Russia (Federal Law 3-FZ): pravo.gov.ru (official publications)
- Mexico (COFEPRIS cannabis regs): transparencia.cofepris.gob.mx
- United Kingdom (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971): legislation.gov.uk
- France (Code pénal / santé publique): legifrance.gouv.fr
- Italy (DPR 309/1990): normattiva.it
- Spain (Código Penal / LO 4/2015): boe.es
- Netherlands (Opiumwet): wetten.overheid.nl
- Australia (TGA medicinal cannabis): tga.gov.au
- New Zealand (Misuse of Drugs Act 1975): legislation.govt.nz
- South Africa (Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024): gov.za
- Uruguay (Law 19.172 / IRCCA): ircca.gub.uy
- Israel (Medical Cannabis Unit): health.gov.il
- Japan (Cannabis Control Act): e-gov.go.jp
- South Korea (Narcotics Control Act – ENG): law.go.kr
- Portugal (Lei n.º 30/2000): dre.pt
- Switzerland (FOPH pilot trials): bag.admin.ch
- UAE (Federal Decree-Law 30/2021): uaelegislation.gov.ae
- Saudi Arabia (Law of Combating Narcotics): laws.boe.gov.sa
For how we keep this accurate, see Editorial Standards, How We Fact-Check, and Research Updates.