Which Countries Have Already Legalized Medical Cannabis to Some Extent?

Global cannabis laws are constantly evolving. And this is evident in the growing number of countries that are embracing calls for legislative reform. More and more countries are either decriminalizing the use of marijuana, legalizing its use for medical purposes, or legalizing it for both medical and recreational uses.

Here is a summary of the various countries around the world that have legalized medical cannabis to some degree.

1. Argentina — Legalized medical cannabis.
2. Australia — Legalized medical cannabis at federal level, but specific provisions and qualifying conditions vary by state
3. Austria — Allows the use of cannabis-derived drugs and cultivation of the plant is allowed for medical purposes. Possession of recreational cannabis has also been decriminalized.
4. Belgium — Legalized cannabis-derived drugs.
5. Canada — Legalized medical cannabis. Soon to legalize recreational cannabis, too.
6. Chile — Legalized medical cannabis.
7. Colombia — Legalized medical cannabis. Adult-use is decriminalized.
8. Croatia — Legalized medical cannabis. Adult-use is decriminalized.
9. Cyprus — Medical cannabis is legal only for cancer patients.
10. Czech Republic — Legalized medical cannabis.
11. Denmark — Legalized medical cannabis.
12. Finland — Legalized medical cannabis, but license is required.
13. France — Allows cannabis-derived drugs for certain ailments but not smoking cannabis.
14. Georgia — Legalized medical cannabis.
15. Germany — Legalized medical cannabis for those with prescription.
16. Greece — Legalized medical cannabis.
17. Israel — Legalized medical cannabis.
18. Italy — Legalized medical cannabis.
19. Jamaica — Legalized medical cannabis.
20. Luxembourg — Legalized medical cannabis.
21. Macedonia — Legalized medical cannabis.
22. Malta — Legalized medical cannabis.
23. Mexico — Legalized medical cannabis with less than 1% of THC content.
24. Netherlands — Legalized medical cannabis.
25. New Zealand — Allows limited cannabis-derived drugs.
26. Norway — Legalized medical cannabis.
27. Peru — Legalized medical cannabis.
28. Poland — Legalized medical cannabis.
29. Romania — Legalized medical cannabis.
30. San Marino — Legalized medical cannabis.
31. Slovenia — Allows cannabis-derived drugs for certain ailments but not smoking cannabis.
32. Spain — Allows cannabis-derived drugs for certain ailments but not smoking cannabis.
33. Sri Lanka — Allows use of cannabis in some Ayurvedic medicines.
34. Switzerland — Legalized medical cannabis.
35. Turkey — Allows cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals.
36. United States — Medical cannabis has been legalized in 31 states and in District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, but is still illegal at federal level.
37. Uruguay — Legalized medical and recreational cannabis.
38. Zimbabwe — Legalized medical cannabis.

United Kingdom is not yet on the list, but according to Home Secretary Sajid Javid, cannabis-based drugs is going to be available before the end of the year.

As you can see, Europe has the most countries with progressive medical cannabis laws. This is why Europe is a key market for Canadian medical cannabis producers since many European markets have little domestic cannabis farms and therefore rely on imports.

Canada is among a very few countries, along with the Netherlands and soon Israel and Australia, that are allowed to export medical cannabis.

In Africa, only Zimbabwe has legalized medical cannabis for those with approved licenses. Lesotho, however, has started granting licenses for growing medical marijuana. The high-altitude mountainous country boasts a sunny climate and humidity that is ideal for cannabis cultivation.

In the more conservative Asia, only Israel has legalized medical cannabis.  In Turkey, cannabis-derived drugs are allowed and cultivation of the plant is also legal for medical purposes. In Sri Lanka, the drug is already used in traditional Ayurvedic medicinal practices.

In Thailand, Laos, Iran, and Myanmar, the use of cannabis is entirely illegal, but it is poorly enforced. The same goes for Pakistan, where marijuana is illegal but often unenforced, especially in tribal regions.

Cannabis is also illegal in Nepal, but it is legally permitted during Maha Shivaratri, an annual Hindu festival that is celebrated in honor of the god Shiva. In India, cannabis is illegal for both medical and recreational uses at the federal level, but recreational pot is already legal and tolerated in several states.

Of course, in North America, Canada is fully legalizing cannabis soon. While in the U.S., cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. In South America, Uruguay has fully legalized the drug.