Cannabis laws in europe
There is currently no precedent for whether member states can legalize cannabis while complying with EU law. In the Netherlands, for example, the sale and consumption of the substance is illegal, but only "tolerated" so that it is not actually prosecuted.
The country legalized medicinal cannabis in 2018. While Luxembourg has not yet legalized adult consumption, first-time offender possession has been legalized. The country also hosted a summit with Germany, Malta and the Netherlands in July to discuss cannabis policy.
Cannabis laws in the united states
In the United States, the use and possession of marijuana for any purpose is illegal under the federal law of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970. According to the CSA, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance with a high potential for abuse and has no recognized medical use—even medical use of the drug is prohibited. Still, most states have legalized the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana.
In the United States, the use of marijuana for medical purposes is legal in 37 states, four of the five U.S. territories of permanent residence, and the District of Columbia as of February 2022. Eleven other states have stricter laws limiting THC levels with the goal of allowing access to products rich in cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive compound in marijuana. Laws governing medicinal cannabis vary significantly from state to state, including how it's manufactured and distributed, how it's consumed, and what medical conditions it can be used for.
Cannabis laws in other countries
Cannabis laws are changing. About half of the world's countries will have legalized some form of medical marijuana by 2022. Additionally, a growing number of countries are developing legal guidelines for recreational marijuana use. About 30 countries have legalized recreational marijuana, and about a dozen countries have explicitly legalized it.
Some countries have fully legalized recreational marijuana, while others have only legalized medical use. There are also countries that have legalized marijuana, a legal gray area that means personal use is illegal but does not result in harsh penalties.