Author: Toni Allen | Last update: March 26, 2024
This interactive global map shows the legal status of cannabis by country. Learn which countries have legalized or decriminalized cannabis, and which countries have the strictest anti-cannabis laws.
Hover over any country for details (best viewed on desktop screens).
For more detailed information see our guide to Where is in the World is Cannabis Legal?
Hover over any country to for details.
The use of cannabis for recreational purposes is prohibited in most countries, with many opting for decriminalization to make simple possession a non-criminal offense.
Countries that have legalized recreational cannabis include Canada, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay, as well as 24 states, 3 territories, and the District of Columbia in the United States, and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia.
However, the commercial sale of recreational cannabis is legal nationwide in only 3 countries: Canada, Thailand, and Uruguay.
Some countries, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, have much harsher penalties, including imprisonment for possession of even small amounts.
For more detailed information see our guide: Where is in the World is Cannabis Legal?
