Countries Where Cannabis Is Legal

While the legality of cannabis is an ongoing debate in the United States, many countries still see the substance as illegal. This includes laws on possession, growing, and use.

In this article we’ll take a look at how different countries around the world handle cannabis policies, whether it be for medical or recreational use. 

A brief history of cannabis origins

Cannabis has been used as medicine for millennia. It is believed that the use of cannabis originated in central Asia or western China. The earliest documented recordings date back to 2800 BC where it was listed in Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopeia. Similar recordings of cannabis’ therapeutic qualities exist in Indian Hindu, Assyrians, Greek and Roman text. 

In the United States, marijuana use was prevalent during the Colonial Era. In fact hemp production was encouraged by the government during the 17th century to make ropes, sails and clothing. In the late 19th century, cannabis was a common ingredient in medicines and could be found in pharmacies. 

After the 1910 Mexican Revolution there was an influx of immigrants into the United States. Prejudice and fear started to form associating recreational marijuana with immigrants. Anti-drug campaigners lobbied against the ‘Marijuana Menace’ and this was further fueled by unemployment and public resentment during the Great Depression. 

By 1931, cannabis had been outlawed in 29 states. 

In some countries you can be imprisoned for life for cannabis possession

Nearly a century later the United States is taking steps to reverse its demonization of cannabis. Early this year the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) announced that it was planning to reclassify cannabis to a Schedule III ‘less dangerous’ drug. While still not considered fully legal, it makes possession less likely to be prosecuted at the federal level. 

Nations worldwide are tackling the complex issue of marijuana legalization in different ways. Some have banned it completely, while others have made it legal for certain uses. Each country’s approach is shaped by its culture, history, and politics.

Cannabis is illegal in the vast majority of countries in Asia and the Middle East due to its religious and cultural abhorrence against mind altering substances. Cannabis laws are especially harsh in Malaysia and Singapore where one can be charged with the death penalty if caught. Recently a Malaysian man was sentenced to life imprisonment for using cannabis to manage his depression. 

In Japan where hemp was a highly prized crop for centuries, possession of cannabis is illegal but its consumption is dealt with more leniently. 

On the other side of the pond, medical cannabis has been legalized in most countries in Europe and Latin America. Out of its 27 members, 21 countries in the European Union have legalized medical cannabis, with the exception of Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Sweden.

Recreational cannabis on the other hand has  largely been decriminalized with the exception of Greece, Ireland, Poland, Romania and Slovenia and the above-mentioned countries. In Germany, Malta, The Netherlands and Spain cannabis is completely legal.

Image credited to commons.wikimedia.org

In Latin America, medical cannabis is legal in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay. Uruguay is the first country in the world to fully legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use. Paraguay adopted a similar policy however personal consumption is limited to 10 grams or less.

The debate on legalizing or decriminalizing these substances is ongoing. More countries might ease their laws as they see the benefits of regulated cannabis markets. But, there are big challenges ahead. We must balance public health and safety with personal freedoms and the push for change. 

The future of marijuana laws will depend on many factors like social, political, and economic ones. As we move forward, we need to focus on policies that are based on solid evidence. Hopefully with less stringent policies it will encourage more funding and research into the benefits of this wonderful plant.