While CBD is effective in healing many different conditions, it is still illegal in some places, since it comes from the cannabis plant, which is an illegal drug. Today I am going to guide you through the legislations around the world.
The Legal Status of CBD in the UK
In 2018, Sajid Javid, the home secretary at the time, announced that specialist doctors in the UK can legally prescribe cannabis-derived medical products. This means you can now get CBD from specialist doctors, so long as it comes from an EU approved cannabis plant.
Marijuana as a recreational drug is still illegal to grow, possess, distribute or sell as it is a Class B drug and can lead to prison sentence of up to 14 years for selling, distributing or growing, while possession can lead to up to 5 years in prison.
The Legal Status of CBD in the US
Like many things, the legal status of CBD in the US varies by state. Some states are strict on it, like Idaho, who will not allow any product with even the slightest bit of THC in. Some states, however, are more relaxed, with some even allowing you to use marijuana for recreational purposes.
Above is a map showing every state and the legalisation of CBD in each of them, from no prescription required to prohibited.
The Legal Status of CBD in the Rest of the World
Each country has different laws so they obviously would have different views on cannabis. Below is a list of all the special cases with the law.
Albania
Marijuana in all forms is illegal here, but the law is generally unenforced, with plants highly available throughout the country.
Antigua and Barbuda
Cannabis is illegal but decriminalised, so possession of 15g or less of cannabis is legal, though cannabis cannot be sold.
Argentina
Medicinal cannabis has been legal since 2017, while recreational cannabis is allowed only for private usage in small amounts.
Australia
CBD is legal in federal level in Australia and in all states. Conditions and other details about the legality vary by state. Cannabis for recreational use is allowed in the Northern Territory, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Austria
Possession of cannabis was decriminalised in 2016, meaning you can now use it for both medical reasons and personal use.
Bangladesh
The sale and distribution of cannabis is banned, but the law is often unenforced, with many shops openly selling it.
Belgium
As of 2003, up to 3g of cannabis is allowed for adults, so CBD is allowed.
Belize
Possession of cannabis is illegal, but usage is common and largely tolerated.
Bermuda
Medical marijuana is allowed and can be prescribed from a doctor. Recreational marijuana is decriminalised up to 7g.
Bhutan
Cannabis is illegal, but the plant is grown round the country and used for other reasons like feeding pigs and producing textures.
Bolivia
Medical Marijuana is unavailable, but recreational cannabis up to 50g is decriminalised.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cannabis is banned for both, but the government is looking into allowing it for medical purposes.
Brazil
While CBD isn't allowed, Sativex, a similar medicine from the cannabis plant, is. Recreational cannabis is illegal, and, as with all illegal drugs in the country, the offender is given a warning, community service and education on the effects of drugs.
Bulgaria
Cannabis is defined as a class A drug and is strictly banned, though a "personal dose" existed until 2004.
Cambodia
Cannabis is banned in Cambodia, but the law is often unenforced. Some restaurants, known as "Happy Restaurants", cook food with cannabis and serve it as a garnish.
Canada
Medical marijuana has been legal since 2001, while recreational marijuana has been legal since 2018.
Chile
Use and sale of medical marijuana is allowed under a prescription. Private personal and recreational use has been decriminalised.
Colombia
Medical usage is allowed , while personal use has been decriminalised for up to 22g or for cultivation of 20 plants.
Costa Rica
Use of cannabis is widespread throughout the country, since it has been decriminalised for personal use.
Croatia
Medical cannabis is legal for patients with illnesses like cancer or AIDS. Possession of small amounts of recreational purposes is considered a misdemeanour, which leads to a fine.
Cyprus
Medical marijuana is legal here, but recreational marijuana is not. Possession can lead to a prison sentence of 8 years maximum (or 2 years for first-time), while possession can lead to a life prison sentence.
Czech Republic
Medical marijuana is legal, while possession of recreational marijuana up to 15g or cultivation up to 6 plants is decriminalised, subject to a fine that is mostly unenforced.
Denmark
Medical marijuana is legal, but recreational cannabis is not. Offenses are subject to a fine or up to 2 years imprisonment. Freetown Christiania, a self-declared autonomous community in Copenhagen, is known for its cannabis trade.
Ecuador
Possession of up to 10g of cannabis is decriminalised and not punished.
Egypt
Cannabis is illegal in Egypt, but convictions for personal use are rare.
Estonia
In Estonia, CBD is allowed, but only with a special permit (like a prescription). Up to 7.5 g is allowed for personal use, but larger amounts can cause prison sentences of up to 5 years.
Finland
Finland allows you to have medical marijuana under a licence. The recreational version is illegal, but is generally not prosecuted against. The perpetrator is usually given a fine.
France
In France, the laws are hazy. Some medical cannabis drugs are allowed, but CBD specifically is not mentioned, since it is still a growing market. Possession of marijuana for recreational use is illegal, and can incur fines of up to 200€.
Georgia
CBD in Georgia is legal, but there is no real system for dispensing it to the customer. As per July 2018, possession and use of recreational marijuana is legal, but it is not legal to sell.
Germany
While Medical marijuana is legal in Germany, recreational use is not, though there are cases of criminal charges being dropped.
India
Cannabis is illegal, with the exception of "bhang", which is a form of cannabis commonly sold in shops.
Iran
While cannabis is illegal, the law isn't usually strictly enforced.
Ireland
In Ireland, CBD is allowed, but it may be licensed. Possession of recreational marijuana is illegal.
Israel
Possession is illegal, but is usually punished with a fine, though third offences can cause prison sentences. Possession in the privacy of one's home is not prosecuted.
Italy
Medical use of cannabis is legal. Recreational use is decriminalised, allowed for religious use and legal under 0.6% THC.
Jamaica
Cannabis pharmaceuticals are legal, with a shop first opened in 2018. Recreational cannabis is legal on Rastafari and is decriminalised up to 2oz or cultivation of 5 plants.
Laos
Cannabis in all varieties is illegal, but often not enforced.
Lebanon
While possession of cannabis is illegal, large amounts grown in the country are not a major issue, so long as it is not in public.
Lesotho
Cannabis is illegal, but is tolerated, with some people being allowed to export the product to other countries. It is also widely grown for illicit purposes.
Lithuania
A law to legalise the medical use of marijuana was passed in 2018, though CBD for recreational use is still illegal.
Luxembourg
While medical use of cannabis is legal, transportation and consumption is not, and can lead to a fine.
Malawi
While cannabis is illegal, it is still widely used and cultivated. Malawian cannabis is famed internationally for its quality.
Malaysia
Cannabis is strictly illegal, with some drug traffickers recieving the death penalty.
Malta
Medical cannabis is legal, while recreational cannabis has been decriminalised. Possession is legal, but may still warrant arrests by police looking for drug traffickers. Cultivation for personal use is also legal.
Mexico
Cannabis is legal for medical use, but only with THC content below 1%. Recreational possession of up to 5g is legal.
Morocco
Cannabis is illegal, but is tolerated, with Morocco being among the top producers of hash.
Myanmar
Cannabis is illegal but often not prosecuted against.
Nepal
Cannabis is illegal except during Maha Shivaratri, though the law is generally not enforced.
Netherlands
Medical marijuana is legal throughout the country. Recreational marijuana is tolerated in licenced coffee shops, and cultivation is generally allowed. The Caribbean Netherlands however have a zero-tolerance policy.
New Zealand
Medical use was legalised in 2018, while recreational use is still banned, though a legalisation referendum will be held in 2020.
Norway
Medical marijuana is legal, while legislation for decriminalisation of recreational cannabis is currently in process.
Pakistan
Cannabis is illegal, but is often tolerated in the North. If found with cannabis in other parts of the country, one may be sentenced to up to 6 month imprisonment.
Paraguay
Possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis is generally not prosecuted against.
Peru
Possession of up to 8 grams is not punished, though cultivation, production and sale is sentenced to 8-15 years in jail.
Philippines
Marijuana is illegal in all forms, but may be allowed with a special permit by the FDA.
Poland
Medical marijuana is legal. Recreational marijuana is generally not prosecuted against for small amounts under 0.2% of THC, though larger amounts can lead to up to 10 years imprisonment.
Portugal
Medical Marijuana is legal and recreational marijuana is decriminalised up to 25g of herb or 5g of hash.
Romania
CBD is legal with THC levels under 0.2%. Recreational cannabis is illegal and possession can bring a large fine for first offenders or 6 months to 2 years for multiple offences. Possession of large amounts or trafficking is punishable by 2-7 years in jail.
Slovakia
Cannabis is illegal, though decriminalisation is being looked into.
Slovenia
Cannabis for medical use is legal, but recreational use is not, though it has been decriminalised.
South Africa
Like in Georgia, cannabis is legal, but selling is not, so there is no dispensaries.
South Korea
As of 2018, medical use of cannabis is legal, but, due to a ruling by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the plant itself is still illegal.
Spain
Limited cannabis pharmaceuticals are available. Recreational cannabis is allowed in private areas like the Cannabis Social Clubs. Cultivation is allowed in private areas off the streets.
Sri Lanka
Medical marijuana was legalised in the 1980's and is commonly used, though recreational cannabis is still illegal.
Switzerland
Medical marijuana is legal, and possession of 10g or less of recreational cannabis is decriminalised to a fine.
Thailand
Medical use was made legal in 2018, while recreational use is still illegal, but the law is often unenforced.
Turkey
Cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals are legal, while recreational cannabis will incur prison sentences.
Uruguay
Cannabis is only legal to residents of Uruguay who are 18 or over and are registered with the authorities.
Vietnam
Cannabis is illegal, but the laws are not often enforced.
Other Countries
| Country/Territory | Medical | Recreational | Country/Territory | Medical | Recreational |
| Afghanistan | Illegal | Illegal | Maldives | Illegal | Illegal |
| Algeria | Illegal | Illegal | Mali | Illegal | Illegal |
| Andorra | Illegal | Illegal | Marshall Islands | Illegal | Illegal |
| Angola | Illegal | Illegal | Mauritania | Illegal | Illegal |
| Armenia | Illegal | Illegal | Mauritius | Illegal | Illegal |
| Azerbaijan | Illegal | Illegal | Micronesia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Bahamas | Illegal | Illegal | Moldova | Illegal | Illegal |
| Bahrain | Illegal | Illegal | Monaco | Illegal | Illegal |
| Barbados | Illegal | Illegal | Mongolia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Belarus | Illegal | Illegal | Montenegro | Illegal | Illegal |
| Benin | Illegal | Illegal | Mozambique | Illegal | Illegal |
| Botswana | Illegal | Illegal | Namibia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Brunei | Illegal | Illegal | Nicaragua | Illegal | Illegal |
| Burkina Faso | Illegal | Illegal | Niger | Illegal | Illegal |
| Burundi | Illegal | Illegal | Nigeria | Illegal | Illegal |
| Cameroon | Illegal | Illegal | North Macedonia | Legal | Illegal |
| Cape Verde | Illegal | Illegal | Oman | Illegal | Illegal |
| Central African Republic | Illegal | Illegal | Palau | Illegal | Illegal |
| Chad | Illegal | Illegal | Panama | Illegal | Illegal |
| China | Illegal | Illegal | Papua New Guinea | Illegal | Illegal |
| Comoros | Illegal | Illegal | Qatar | Illegal | Illegal |
| Cuba | Illegal | Illegal | Republic of the Congo | Illegal | Illegal |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Illegal | Illegal | Russia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Djibouti | Illegal | Illegal | Rwanda | Illegal | Illegal |
| Dominican Republic | Illegal | Illegal | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Illegal | Illegal |
| East Timor | Illegal | Illegal | Saint Lucia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Dominica | Illegal | Illegal | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Illegal | Illegal |
| El Salvador | Illegal | Illegal | Samoa | Illegal | Illegal |
| Equatorial Guinea | Illegal | Illegal | San Marino | Legal | Illegal |
| Eritrea | Illegal | Illegal | São Tomé and Príncipe | Illegal | Illegal |
| Fiji | Illegal | Illegal | Senegal | Illegal | Illegal |
| Ethiopia | Illegal | Illegal | Saudi Arabia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Gabon | Illegal | Illegal | Seychelles | Illegal | Illegal |
| Gambia | Illegal | Illegal | Serbia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Ghana | Illegal | Illegal | Sierra Leone | Illegal | Illegal |
| Greece | Legal | Illegal | Singapore | Illegal | Illegal |
| Grenada | Illegal | Illegal | Solomon Islands | Illegal | Illegal |
| Greenland(Kalaallit Nunaat) | Illegal | Illegal | Somalia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Guinea | Illegal | Illegal | South Sudan | Illegal | Illegal |
| Guinea-Bissau | Illegal | Illegal | Sudan | Illegal | Illegal |
| Guatemala | Illegal | Illegal | Swaziland | Illegal | Illegal |
| Haiti | Illegal | Illegal | Suriname | Illegal | Illegal |
| Guyana | Illegal | Illegal | Sweden | Illegal | Illegal |
| Honduras | Illegal | Illegal | Syria | Illegal | Illegal |
| Hong Kong | Illegal | Illegal | Tajikistan | Illegal | Illegal |
| Hungary | Illegal | Illegal | Tanzania | Illegal | Illegal |
| Iceland | Illegal | Illegal | Togo | Illegal | Illegal |
| Indonesia | Illegal | Illegal | Tonga | Illegal | Illegal |
| Iraq | Illegal | Illegal | Trinidad and Tobago | Illegal | Illegal |
| Ivory Coast | Illegal | Illegal | Tunisia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Jordan | Illegal | Illegal | Turkmenistan | Illegal | Illegal |
| Kazakhstan | Illegal | Illegal | Tuvalu | Illegal | Illegal |
| Kenya | Illegal | Illegal | Uganda | Illegal | Illegal |
| Kiribati | Illegal | Illegal | Ukraine | Illegal | Illegal |
| Kosovo | Illegal | Illegal | United Arab Emirates | Illegal | Illegal |
| Kuwait | Illegal | Illegal | Uzbekistan | Illegal | Illegal |
| Kyrgyzstan | Illegal | Illegal | Vanuatu | Legal | Illegal |
| Japan | Illegal | Illegal | Vatican City | Illegal | Illegal |
| Latvia | Illegal | Illegal | Venezuela | Illegal | Illegal |
| Liberia | Illegal | Illegal | Yemen | Illegal | Illegal |
| Libya | Illegal | Illegal | Zambia | Illegal | Illegal |
| Liechtenstein | Illegal | Illegal | Zimbabwe | Legal | Illegal |
| Madagascar | Illegal | Illegal |
Now you should know the laws of cannabis in different countries around the world. Have a great day!
