Researching this article kept bringing up the same question for me.
If these countries can do it, why can’t the US?
It makes no sense for weed to be illegal federally.
Is our government really so broken that we can’t even get any common sense laws passed anymore?
Other than that, I definitely added a few countries to my wish list. And bumped others up a few spots.
Check out this list of unexpected countries that have legalized, or at least decriminalized, cannabis and see if any of them surprise you.
Unexpected Places Where Cannabis Is Legal
This list is presented in no particular order, but I will begin it with one of my absolute favorite countries in the world to visit. Mainly because of the food, but now that they have legalized weed, I want to go back even more.
Georgia
We are talking about Georgia the country, not the US state. And weed is legal here. The Constitutional Court of Georgia passed its positive ruling for the possession and consumption of weed in 2018.Unfortunately, this was a mere months after I visited. Why?
Either way, the new law made Georgia the first former Soviet country to legalize the consumption of cannabis. And given how incredibly delicious Georgian cuisine is, this is a match made in heaven.
Malta
Malta became the first cannabis-friendly country in the European Union. Its legal regulations allow possession of up to 7 grams of weed and cultivation of up to 4 cannabis plants per household for personal use.
Consumers need to join non-profit cannabis organizations where they can purchase up to 7 grams of cannabis daily and 50 grams per month. These club members can also purchase a fixed, limited number of seeds for home cultivation.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg became the second country in the European Union to legalize adult-use cannabis. Adult citizens are legally allowed to grow up to four plants and possess up to 3 grams of weed. However, it is still illegal to smoke or use weed in public places and there are hefty fines for it if caught.
Uruguay
Uruguay is the first country in the modern era to legalize recreational cannabis use. The legalization ruling was passed in 2013 under President José Mujica. But the drug was decriminalized way back in 1974. Uruguay’s law even permits the cultivation of up to six cannabis plants at home.
Croatia
Croatia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean and millions of tourists visit it annually. Since 2013, the country has decriminalized marijuana and since 2015, the Croatian Ministry of Health has officially legalized the use of high-THC marijuana products and medicines for medicinal purposes.
Pakistan
In a bid to overcome the country’s economic crisis, the Pakistani government legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes in September 2020. The nation hopes to capitalize on the booming cannabis market and increase its foreign exchange reserves.
A senior official also said in an interview with the press that the nation was very serious about this initiative and had been seeing good results. The Pakistani government has also established a legal framework regarding weed, such as providing licenses to growers, etc.
Poland
In Poland, the recreational use of weed is illegal, but medicinal use is legal. Given how conservative the government there is, this is quite a surprise.
In November 2017, the country legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. This allows physicians to prescribe marijuana as a treatment for specific medical conditions.
Poland also allows CBD products, but only if they come from hemp with less than 0.2% THC. Companies that deal with CBD or hemp products must also have proper permits from authorities. Likewise, consumers need clear information about how much CBD is in the products and how to use them correctly.
Czechia (Formerly Czech Republic)
Czechia is a stunningly beautiful country and a neighbor to many weed-friendly countries like Austria. It is illegal to use weed recreationally in Czechia, but the country decriminalized it in 2010. Also, it has been legal to use medicinal weed in Czechia since 2013.
South Africa
The Constitutional Court of South Africa decriminalized the personal and private use of cannabis in 2018. In 2024, the National Council of Provinces established strict guidelines and frameworks regarding the cultivation and possession of the drug.
The country now allows the cultivation and possession of a stipulated quantity of cannabis in private settings and the laws are stricter to protect children from misusing the drug.
Adult citizens are allowed to cultivate 4 cannabis plants (per adult) in a private setting. They can also possess up to 600 grams of dried cannabis or cannabis equivalent (per adult) in a private place.
Switzerland
In a population of over 8 million, Switzerland has around 500,000 weed users. This is even though weed is legally banned in the nation. The country only allows CBD products containing less than 1% THC.
Also, the Swiss Federal Court confirmed that possessing less than 10 grams of cannabis is not considered a punishable offense, whether you are a minor or an adult. Switzerland is very conservative, so this is pretty shocking. I actually thought it might land on my list of countries where you absolutely can not smoke weed.
Of course, Switzerland is famous for it natural beauty. That is the main reason it landed a spot on my list of the most scenic cannabis-friendly travel destinations.
Nepal
According to Nepali laws, smoking, possessing, and growing cannabis are completely prohibited and punishable by law. However, the government of Nepal does grant special licenses for cannabis growing and production to certain government agencies and supervised institutions for medical research.
Since 1976, weed has been illegal in the country. However, Nepali people have been using it for a long time, especially in the preparation of traditional Ayurvedic medicine. They also use weed to prepare special drinks and edibles to offer to the Hindu god Shiva.
Cannabis is grown all over the country. Despite this, growing cannabis is still illegal in the country.
Belize
It is illegal to buy, sell, and grow weed in Belize, but the country has decriminalized it for possession in smaller quantities. So, you could carry about 10 grams of weed or less, but if you are going as a tourist there, it is best not to.
Most private property owners also won’t let you smoke on their premises. It is best to proceed with caution if you plan on smoking weed in the country.
Paraguay
Paraguay is one of the world’s largest weed producers. Despite this, the recreational use of weed is illegal in the country. Worry not: up to 10 grams of weed possession is decriminalized.
Paraguay also hosts an annual Paraguay Marijuana Harvest Festival, which is known for drug trafficking. In 2023, farmers who attended the festival hoped that the government would make weed legal so they could start growing it for medicinal use. As of May 2024, they are still waiting for a positive ruling.
New Zealand
New Zealand has the Misuse of Drugs Act (1975), which regulates the use of weed. It is a punishable offense in the country to use, possess, grow, make, or traffic weed.
However, if you have a medical license to use it, then you may fly into the country with it, provided you carry a doctor’s letter stating so. You can also travel with CBD oil or other CBD products in New Zealand.
Italy
Italy has decriminalized the cultivation and possession of weed in small quantities for its citizens. However, tourists need to be careful. There are hefty fines and penalties if you are caught, even with small quantities of weed.
Unexpected Countries Where Weed Is Legal: Final Thoughts
I have to admit, I was quite surprised by some of these countries. But not at all by others. I still included them on the list, because some people do find it unexpected that they allow the use of cannabis. Or at least do not throw you in jail for it.
Did any of the countries surprise you? If so, which ones? Have you had the chance to visit any of these countries? Did you partake while there?
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