Legalization of cannabis in the rest of the world

After a look at legislation in the United States then in Europe, finish our world tour of cannabis legislation by continent.

• American continent, excluding the United States
• African continent
• Middle East
• Asian continent
• Oceanian continent
• Arctic and Antarctic

American continent, excluding USA

Uruguay December 20, 2013: Legalized the possession, cultivation and sale of cannabis and its derivatives. The cannabis market is regulated by a government agency. Individuals are allowed to grow up to six plants, while registered «cannabis clubs» can grow up to 99 plants. Purchases are also possible from pharmacies, with a ceiling of 40g per month. Foreigners are not authorized to buy or consume cannabis in Uruguay, and driving under the influence and promoting cannabis products are prohibited.

Chile Growing 6 plants is authorized, possession is legal, but sale is prohibited.

Colombia : Cultivation of 20 plants is permitted, possession is legal but recreational sale is prohibited. Colombia legalized medical cannabis on December 22, 2015 with a decree that regulates the cultivation, processing, import and export of cannabis and its derivatives for therapeutic purposes.

Argentina: Since March 2017, the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes has been authorized, but patients are not allowed to produce it themselves and must import it. Despite the fact that recreational use is widespread, Law 23.737 provides for prison sentences of 4 to 15 years for recreational cultivation, possession and sale. In practice, police rarely prosecute consumers who smoke in public, and out-of-court settlements are common.

BrazilBrazil is considered South America's leading cannabis consumer. However, the use, sale, possession and production of cannabis are still considered criminal offences, with some tolerance for the simple consumer. Nevertheless, with no legal means of differentiating between traffickers and consumers, the interpretation of the degree of offence is left to the police authorities, exacerbating conflicts between police and citizens. The minimum sentence is equivalent to community service.

Other countries navigate between decriminalization (Belize, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay) and total prohibition (Suriname, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Haiti). In the majority of countries which have decriminalized personal consumption, a certain tolerance is de rigueur for the possession of small quantities (around 8 to 10 grams), and these countries have all legalized therapeutic use.

CanadaMedicinal cannabis has been authorized since 2001, but the government has just taken a decisive step by legalizing the consumption and cultivation of cannabis for recreational use. The law will come into force on October 17.

Caribbean With the exception of Cuba, where possession is severely punished, the Caribbean islands are fairly lax. Puerto Rico has legalized the medical use of cannabis. Jamaica has decriminalized possession and authorized cultivation for personal use (5 plants and no fertilizer!).

African continent

Not all the official laws on the global treatment of cannabis are known. To sum up, possession, cultivation and sale are mostly illegal on the territory, but the laws are often unenforced, with the notorious example of the Maghreb countries, a hotbed of cannabis cultivation.

South Africa : Since March 31, 2017, the use of cannabis in a private, recreational setting has become legal following a court ruling, but no reform has followed and the situation seems to have stalled. Medical cannabis was already legal. At Lesotho, landlocked South Africa, the cultivation and processing of cannabis for therapeutic and scientific purposes is now legal.

Zimbabwe The United States has legalized the cultivation of cannabis for therapeutic and scientific purposes. Previously, it had only been authorized for use in traditional medicine.

Middle East

The Middle East is well known for its cannabis culture (in the cultural sense). Indeed, hashish probably originated in this region. Local laws, however, do not really reflect this historical heritage.

Israel the Israeli government has decriminalized cannabis use March 5, 2017. Consumption in public is now only punishable by a fine of 1,000 shekels (around €250) the first time. The fourth offence, on the other hand, will lead to legal and criminal proceedings. Israel is known for its medical cannabis research, the most advanced in the world.

Asian continent

In countries with a Hindu or Tamil culture, cannabis is used for medicinal purposes, as an infusion or inhalation. At Sri Lanka, Cannabis is still illegal in Sri Lanka, but its use is widespread. In fact, it's not uncommon to come across wild marijuana plants in the Sri Lankan countryside. Visit India, Cannabis is also illegal but tolerated in several provinces (West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa Tripura and the North-East). Likewise, whole fields of wild cannabis can be found in certain areas.

Among the Southeast Asian countries, Some are more advanced than others. While Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia prohibit cannabis (and in some cases penalize it heavily - it's not at all advisable to carry it with you), Cambodia has decriminalized cannabis use, making it a destination of choice for smokers. Some restaurants even use cannabis as a condiment or side dish.

Visit Russia, Cannabis is illegal, although possession of less than 6 grams is not a crime. This will still spell trouble for the person caught. Possession or transport of more than 6 grams, and cultivation of more than 6 feet, will lead directly to prison.

Visit China and Japan, Cannabis is illegal and punishable by 5 to 10 years' imprisonment. Although few people know it cannabis has long been cultivated in Japan.

Oceania continent

Cannabis is illegal in New Zealand but a referendum on the issue is scheduled for 2020.

L’ Australia has legalized medical cannabis under certain conditions for patients. It has not legalized recreational cannabis nationwide, but several states have done so. Use is decriminalized in Canberra, South Australia and the Northern Territories. On the other hand, it is a criminal offence in New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania. Some states, such as South Australia, allow the cultivation of one or two non-hydroponic plants for personal use.

Arctic and Antarctic

No idea, but no one will tell you!