Countries Where Weed is Legal in 2025
Weed laws are are complicated ang changing at a rapid pace around the globe, making things a bit confusing at times.
Some countries have fully legalized recreational weed, while others have only approved medical use.
There are also countries where weed has been decriminalized, a legal gray area that means that weed is not legal for personal use but won’t result in harsh penalties.
Are you wondering what the weed laws are in your country or your travel destination country?
This weed legalization guide clearly defines the laws in each country and remains up-to-date with the latest changes on a monthly basis.
It’s important to understand and respect the rules that vary across the world regarding weed use. Whether you’re a visiting tourist or a resident the following information will help you steer clear of any misunderstandings or trouble.
Countries Where Weed is Legal in 2025
Weed laws are changing. As of 2025, approximately half of the world's countries have legalized some form of medical weed.
Moreover, a growing number of countries are establishing legal guidelines for recreational weed use.
Approximately 22 countries have decriminalized recreational weed, and roughly a dozen have specifically legalized it.
Here is the full list of countries where weed is legalised:
1. Uruguay
It's legal to possess and use weed in Uruguay.
Indeed, it was the first country in the world to legalise recreational weed, in December 2013.
2. Georgia
The country of Georgia has legalized the consumption of weed, making it the first former member of the now-defunct Soviet Union to do so.
The Constitutional Court of Georgia delivered its decision on the unconstitutionality of universal ban on weed consumption in July 2018.
3. Canada
In October 2018, Canada legalized recreational weed use nationwide, allowing adults to possess and consume weed within certain limits.
4. Mexico
Weed is legal in Mexico, including recreational weed and medical weed.
Under the new law in June 2021, anyone over the age of 18 in Mexico will be able to purchase and possess less than 28 grams of weed.
5. Malta
Malta became the first country in the European Union to legalize weed for adult-use in December 2021.
Under the weed Reform Act, consumers are now permitted to carry up to 7g of weed in public and grow four plants at home, without risk of prosecution.
6. Luxembourg
In July 2023, Luxembourg became one of the only European countries to legalise the recreational use of weed.
The legalization of adult-use weed in Luxembourg allows for the possession, consumption, and cultivation of up to three grams.
7. Netherlands
Despite weed being illegal in the Netherlands, the country has long maintained a policy of tolerance, allowing coffee shops to operate legally, even though cultivation remains prohibited.
8. Thailand
Thailand became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalize weed in June 2022. But Recreational weed is still illegal according to Thai law.
9. Portugal
Portugal was one of the first countries to decriminalize weed in 2001, and medical weed was legalized in 2018.
However, buying and selling recreational weed remains illegal — trafficking weed in Portugal can result in a one- to five-year prison sentence.
10. Jamaica
The decriminalization of weed in Jamaica occurred in 2015, a significant milestone in the country’s weed history.
This change in legislation made it permissible to possess up to two ounces (57 grams) of weed for personal use without the risk of criminal charges.
In addition to decriminalising small amounts of weed, Jamaica has also legalized the use of weed for medical and therapeutic purposes.
11. Chile
Recreational weed remains banned in the Chile.
The country legalized medical weed in December 2015, authorized homegrown weed for personal use, and decriminalized adult-use weed.
12. Ecuador
Weed is decriminalized in Ecuador, and a regulatory framework for a medical CBD market is fully in place. Individuals can purchase low-THC medical products from pharmacies.
However, weed in Ecuador is illegal for personal recreational consumption as of November 2023.
13. Colombia
Weed in Colombia is fully legal for medicinal purposes (since 2016) and for industrial purposes (since 2021).
While weed is not strictly legal for personal use in Colombia, possession of a limited quantity of all drugs, including weed, has been decriminalized since 1994.
14. South Africa
South Africa changes its weed policy in February 2024, allowing possession and cultivation for personal use but not for sale.
Anyone 18 years or older can use weed at any place where the public doesn't have access as of right.
15. Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, weed is not legal for recreational use, but personal possession and use of small quantities of drugs has been decriminalized since January 2010 and medical weed has been legal since April 2013.
Additionally, cultivation and large-scale trafficking remain illegal.
16. Spain
In Spain, it is illegal to consume or possess weed in public places. However, it is legal to possess up to 100 grams of weed for personal and private use.
The criminal law states that the use, possession or production of weed for personal use, exclusively, does not constitute a crime.
There are more than 1600 weed clubs in spain, clubs that cultivate and allow the consumption of weed in a legal environment, exist in the country.
17. Argentina
Medical weed is legal in Argentina. The South American country has also decriminalized small quantities of weed for personal use.
Additionally, a decree was passed in 2020 authorizing home cultivation for approved medical weed patients.
18. Costa Rica
Medical weed in Costa Rica is legal as of March 2022.
Additionally, although weed is nominally illegal in Costa Rica, anyone found with it in their possession shouldn't face any criminal penalties.
19. Belize
Since November 2017, possession or use of up to 10 grams of weed in private has been decriminalized in Belize.
However, the growing of weed and trading of its products remain illegal.
20. Germany
Germany, since April 2024, has partly decriminalised weed use.
People over 18 in Germany are allowed to own and carry 25 grams (nearly 1 ounce) of weed for consumption.
What's more, hashish enthusiasts can now grow three weed plants in their own homes and store up to 50 grams of dried weed.
21. Parts of the United States
Weed is still illegal under federal law, which means you also cannot Use or possess weed on federal lands, like national parks.
However, For medical purposes, weed is legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
Furthermore, As of February 2025, recreational weed is legal in 24 states, or nearly half the country.
22. Parts of the Australia
Similar to the U.S., Australia does not allow the use at the national level, but weed can be used legally in the Australian Capital Territory, which includes the capital Canberra.
Countries With Legal Weed for Medical Use
Countries that have legalized medical use of weed include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and parts of united states.
Others have more restrictive laws that allow only the use of certain weed-derived pharmaceuticals, such as Turkey, Sativex, Marinol, or Epidiolex.
Countries With Legal Weed for recreational use
Countries that have legalized recreational use of weed are Canada, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay, plus parts of United States and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia.
Countries where weed is Totally Illegal
Some countries, especially some Asian and Middle Eastern countries, where weed remains illegal impose very strict penalties on people who travel with or consume weed within their borders.
These countries include Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Bahrain, Botswana, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Bahamas, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Comoros, Cameroon, Chad, China, Curacao, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Eswatini, Eritrea, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Jordan, Japan, Finland, France, Fiji, Guatemala, Guinea, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Greenland, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kazakhstan,Latvia, Liechtenstein, Liberia, Libya, Laos, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Myanmar, Mozambique, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Maldives, Montenegro, Macau, Iceland, Micronesia, Mongolia, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, South Sudan, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Seychelles, Samoa, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Taiwan, The Central African Republic, The Philippines, The Republic of Benin, the Republic of the Congo, Solomon Islands, The United Arab Emirates, Togo, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Tonga, Venezuela, Vietnam, Vatican City, and Yemen.
States Where Weed is legal in USA of 2025
As of February 2025 In the United States, weed is legal in 38 of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use.
The 38 states where weed is legal for medical use are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, HawaiiI, dahoIllinois, IndianaIowa, KansasKentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The 24 states where recreational weed is legal are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Recreational use, where legal, is limited to adults 21 years of age and older.
How to Consume Weed Safely & Responsibly in Different Ways
Many people report using weed to reduce anger, relax, and relieve health symptoms, as well as to generally feel better.
If it's your first time smoking weed, it can be difficult to decide which method is best for you.
Common ways to smoke weed include joints, blunts, bongs, and pipes.
Healthier alternatives to smoking weed include vaping (through dry herb vaporizers, vape pens, etc), dabbing ( through dab rigs, dab straws, dab pens, etc), edibles, and tinctures.
The most straightforward way to get into trouble with cannabis is by consuming too high a dosage of the main active ingredient, THC.
As with any medicine or drug, it is safest to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time permitted.
Conclusion
Weed's legality is a tricky subject.
The regulation of weed varies according to the nation and its conditions of use. It can be held for medical purposes, scientific purposes or even just for personal enjoyment.
It’s often illegal, but some countries take a more liberal view when it comes to recreational weed.
As such, it's crucial to verify regulations around any potential transaction on a country basis.
Stay informed of the most current legal status of weed wherever you travel, and always carry your medical weed card if you have a valid one.
We hope this article can help you.