Adults only (18+)

Countries with National Recreational Legalisation

Only a small number of countries have fully legalised cannabis at the national level for recreational use across all territories. Canada implemented legalisation in October 2018 under the Cannabis Act, becoming one of the first countries globally to allow regulated sales and possession. Uruguay followed earlier in 2013 with a regulated market limited to residents. Malta became the first European Union country to legalise recreational use in December 2021, allowing adults to possess limited quantities and cultivate a small number of plants. Germany legalised recreational cannabis nationwide on 1 April 2024, permitting adults to possess up to 25 g in public, cultivate up to three plants at home, and join non‑profit cannabis clubs. These four nations currently represent the most advanced examples of full national recreational legalisation.

Other Jurisdictions with Official Legal or Tolerated Adult Use

Beyond national legalisation, several other nations allow recreational use under regulated frameworks or tolerance policies. Georgia permits adult possession in private following a constitutional court ruling, though markets remain informal. South Africa’s courts have allowed private cultivation and use for adults. Mexico has legalised personal cultivation and possession up to defined limits via Supreme Court and legislative action. Thailand has also legalised limited recreational use, with strict controls on product type and access. Luxembourg has announced plans to legalise recreational cannabis in coming years with pilot schemes underway. Czechia has announced plans and pilot programmes for legalisation. In the US, 24 states and three territories, plus the District of Columbia, have legalised recreational cannabis, though federal law still prohibits it. In Australia, the Australian Capital Territory allows limited possession and home cultivation for adults, though federal law remains unchanged regarding wider commercial sales.

Countries with Legal Medical Cannabis

A far broader list of countries permit cannabis for medical or therapeutic use under controlled frameworks. These include nations like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe and several others. In each case use is limited to prescription products, licensed cannabis medicines, or regulated magistral preparations. Access and reimbursement rules vary widely from country to country.

Commercial Sales and Market Status

Among the countries with full recreational legalisation, only Canada, Uruguay and Thailand currently permit licensed commercial sales of cannabis for adult use nationwide. Germany currently prohibits commercial retail beyond cannabis clubs and home cultivation. Malta and Luxembourg are gradually introducing non‑profit models. In Mexico and South Africa, regulated markets are still under development or limited in scope. Within the United States, regulated retail stores operate in all jurisdictions where recreational use is legal except in Virginia and Washington DC where commercial sales remain restricted. The Australian Capital Territory allows cultivation and personal use but not licensed retail shops due to federal restrictions.

Why Legalisation Is Limited Globally

Legalisation of recreational cannabis remains rare due to international drug treaties, public health concerns, political caution and social stigma. Even within countries that have legalised use, limits on quantity, cultivation, commercial sales and public consumption are common. Many governments have taken incremental approaches, beginning with medical legalisation, followed by limited or regional reforms. The pace of change continues to build, but full national legalisation remains confined to a few countries. Pilot programmes, court rulings and regional reforms are gradually expanding legal access in certain places while global regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.

Summary

As of mid‑2025 only a handful of countries Canada, Uruguay, Malta and Germany have legalised recreational cannabis on a national level. Other countries, including Georgia, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand and Czechia, have partial legalisation, tolerance or pilot frameworks in place. The United States shows a patchwork of state-level legalisation. A much larger number of countries allow medical cannabis under prescription. Commercial sale is currently only legal nationwide in Canada, Uruguay and Thailand. Legal frameworks vary significantly between jurisdictions and remain under development in many regions.