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0 / 31 Fotos
Armenia - In Armenia, cannabis grows in the wild. However, all use of the drug is reportedly illegal.
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1 / 31 Fotos
Australia
- Cannabis is medically legal at a federal level. Meanwhile, recreational consumption has been decriminalized in certain territories.
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2 / 31 Fotos
Brazil - The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes was authorized in 2015. The recreational use of marijuana is not a crime, but it is not allowed. The legislation provides soft penalties for personal use and harsher penalties for trafficking.
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3 / 31 Fotos
Canada
- Cannabis is expected to be legalized recreationally by October 17. You’ll be able to use the drug recreationally and grow it for personal consumption.
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4 / 31 Fotos
China
- Hemp is grown in China, but cannabis has been illegal since 1985.
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5 / 31 Fotos
Colombia - Colombia has a sordid history with drugs. Cannabis has been decriminalized up to 22 grams, but not to sell on.
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6 / 31 Fotos
Croatia - Possessing a small amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor. However, recreational use has been decriminalized.
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7 / 31 Fotos
Cuba
- Cannabis is widely considered to be illegal on all fronts.
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8 / 31 Fotos
Dominican Republic
- Here, possessing cannabis is a punishable offense. If you’re caught, you could land in prison.
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9 / 31 Fotos
France
- Here, cannabis is illegal both recreationally and to grow. However, there are some cannabis-sourced medicines available.
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10 / 31 Fotos
Germany
- In Germany, marijuana is legal as long as you have a specific prescription.
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11 / 31 Fotos
Indonesia
- Cannabis was banned in 1927. Possession of the drug could land you in prison.
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12 / 31 Fotos
Italy
- Medical use is legal here, while possessing a small amount of cannabis is a misdemeanor.
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13 / 31 Fotos
Jamaica
- In Jamaica, marijuana is legal to grow (five or fewer plants), and possession of small amounts (up to 2 ounces or 56.6 grams) is considered a petty offense and will not result in a criminal record. Medical marijuana is legal with a prescription, and cannabis can be used by practitioners of the Rastafarian faith for religious purposes.
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14 / 31 Fotos
Mexico
- Mexico decriminalized personal use of cannabis back in 2009.
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15 / 31 Fotos
Netherlands
- In 1976, the Netherlands decriminalized personal cannabis possession. It’s worth researching the exact laws before taking a trip to Amsterdam.
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16 / 31 Fotos
Nigeria - Nigeria is considered a major source of cannabis in West Africa. However, all uses of the drug are considered illegal.
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17 / 31 Fotos
Portugal
- In 2001, Portugal broke boundaries and became the first country to decriminalize all drugs.
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18 / 31 Fotos
Russia
- In Russia, cannabis is illegal. However, if you have up to six grams, it isn’t considered a criminal offence.
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19 / 31 Fotos
Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia also has some staunch laws against cannabis. You could face prison time for possessing the drug.
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20 / 31 Fotos
South Africa - South Africa made strides in September this year. The private use of cannabis has been decriminalized.
© iStock
21 / 31 Fotos
South Korea
- In 1976, the Cannabis Control Act banned all use of the drug in South Korea.
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22 / 31 Fotos
Spain
- Here, recreational use of marijuana is permitted in private. Possession laws differ depending on the autonomous community. There is apparently 800 Cannabis Social Clubs across the country.
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23 / 31 Fotos
Switzerland - Medical use is legal here, and minor possession (less than 10 grams) was decriminalized to a fine back in 2012.
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24 / 31 Fotos
Thailand - In Thailand, cannabis is legal if the THC is below 1%. Medical use is legal.
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25 / 31 Fotos
Uruguay - José Mujica, former president of Uruguay, changed history when he fully legalized cannabis use in 2013. However, foreigners are forbidden to buy it.
© iStock
26 / 31 Fotos
United Arab Emirates
- In the UAE, drugs are strictly forbidden. You can not use cannabis in any way.
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27 / 31 Fotos
United Kingdom - The UK has recently switched up its cannabis laws. Cannabis-based medicines will be available from November 1, while growing it is allowed with a Home Office cannabis cultivation license.
© iStock
28 / 31 Fotos
The United States of America
- The land of the free has some complicated cannabis laws. Recreational use is legal in nine states, while medical use is legal in 31 states. However, the drug is illegal at a federal level.
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29 / 31 Fotos
Venezuela - Here, cannabis is considered illegal to use recreationally, for medical use, and to grow.
© iStock
30 / 31 Fotos
© iStock
0 / 31 Fotos
Armenia - In Armenia, cannabis grows in the wild. However, all use of the drug is reportedly illegal.
© iStock
1 / 31 Fotos
Australia
- Cannabis is medically legal at a federal level. Meanwhile, recreational consumption has been decriminalized in certain territories.
© iStock
2 / 31 Fotos
Brazil - The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes was authorized in 2015. The recreational use of marijuana is not a crime, but it is not allowed. The legislation provides soft penalties for personal use and harsher penalties for trafficking.
© iStock
3 / 31 Fotos
Canada
- Cannabis is expected to be legalized recreationally by October 17. You’ll be able to use the drug recreationally and grow it for personal consumption.
© iStock
4 / 31 Fotos
China
- Hemp is grown in China, but cannabis has been illegal since 1985.
© iStock
5 / 31 Fotos
Colombia - Colombia has a sordid history with drugs. Cannabis has been decriminalized up to 22 grams, but not to sell on.
© iStock
6 / 31 Fotos
Croatia - Possessing a small amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor. However, recreational use has been decriminalized.
© iStock
7 / 31 Fotos
Cuba
- Cannabis is widely considered to be illegal on all fronts.
© iStock
8 / 31 Fotos
Dominican Republic
- Here, possessing cannabis is a punishable offense. If you’re caught, you could land in prison.
© iStock
9 / 31 Fotos
France
- Here, cannabis is illegal both recreationally and to grow. However, there are some cannabis-sourced medicines available.
© iStock
10 / 31 Fotos
Germany
- In Germany, marijuana is legal as long as you have a specific prescription.
© iStock
11 / 31 Fotos
Indonesia
- Cannabis was banned in 1927. Possession of the drug could land you in prison.
© iStock
12 / 31 Fotos
Italy
- Medical use is legal here, while possessing a small amount of cannabis is a misdemeanor.
© iStock
13 / 31 Fotos
Jamaica
- In Jamaica, marijuana is legal to grow (five or fewer plants), and possession of small amounts (up to 2 ounces or 56.6 grams) is considered a petty offense and will not result in a criminal record. Medical marijuana is legal with a prescription, and cannabis can be used by practitioners of the Rastafarian faith for religious purposes.
© iStock
14 / 31 Fotos
Mexico
- Mexico decriminalized personal use of cannabis back in 2009.
© iStock
15 / 31 Fotos
Netherlands
- In 1976, the Netherlands decriminalized personal cannabis possession. It’s worth researching the exact laws before taking a trip to Amsterdam.
© iStock
16 / 31 Fotos
Nigeria - Nigeria is considered a major source of cannabis in West Africa. However, all uses of the drug are considered illegal.
© iStock
17 / 31 Fotos
Portugal
- In 2001, Portugal broke boundaries and became the first country to decriminalize all drugs.
© iStock
18 / 31 Fotos
Russia
- In Russia, cannabis is illegal. However, if you have up to six grams, it isn’t considered a criminal offence.
© iStock
19 / 31 Fotos
Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia also has some staunch laws against cannabis. You could face prison time for possessing the drug.
© iStock
20 / 31 Fotos
South Africa - South Africa made strides in September this year. The private use of cannabis has been decriminalized.
© iStock
21 / 31 Fotos
South Korea
- In 1976, the Cannabis Control Act banned all use of the drug in South Korea.
© iStock
22 / 31 Fotos
Spain
- Here, recreational use of marijuana is permitted in private. Possession laws differ depending on the autonomous community. There is apparently 800 Cannabis Social Clubs across the country.
© iStock
23 / 31 Fotos
Switzerland - Medical use is legal here, and minor possession (less than 10 grams) was decriminalized to a fine back in 2012.
© iStock
24 / 31 Fotos
Thailand - In Thailand, cannabis is legal if the THC is below 1%. Medical use is legal.
© iStock
25 / 31 Fotos
Uruguay - José Mujica, former president of Uruguay, changed history when he fully legalized cannabis use in 2013. However, foreigners are forbidden to buy it.
© iStock
26 / 31 Fotos
United Arab Emirates
- In the UAE, drugs are strictly forbidden. You can not use cannabis in any way.
© iStock
27 / 31 Fotos
United Kingdom - The UK has recently switched up its cannabis laws. Cannabis-based medicines will be available from November 1, while growing it is allowed with a Home Office cannabis cultivation license.
© iStock
28 / 31 Fotos
The United States of America
- The land of the free has some complicated cannabis laws. Recreational use is legal in nine states, while medical use is legal in 31 states. However, the drug is illegal at a federal level.
© iStock
29 / 31 Fotos
Venezuela - Here, cannabis is considered illegal to use recreationally, for medical use, and to grow.
© iStock
30 / 31 Fotos
Joint effort: weed laws around the world
A tour of cannabis laws across the globe
© iStock
Weed laws are changing around the world. On October 17, Canada will effectively legalize cannabis. On November 1, the UK will follow suit, with cannabis-based medicines being made available. The USA is also making its own changes to cannabis laws. So which countries are safe for cannabis users? Here's a world tour of cannabis laws across the globe.
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