A Guide to Medical Marijuana Legalization Around the World

As the world becomes more accepting of marijuana use for medicinal purposes, an increasing number of countries are legalizing medical marijuana. 

With several states in the US and Canada leading the charge, other nations worldwide are following suit in recognizing the therapeutic benefits that cannabis can provide. 

In this article, we’ll explore some of those countries’ laws regarding medical marijuana legalization – providing a comprehensive guide to how different governments approach this issue. 

Whether you’re a patient looking to access medical weed or someone curious about global drug policies, read on to gain insight into how various regions regulate cannabis as medicine.

Views About Cannabis Around the World

Cannabis is a plant that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. However, its legal status around the world is complex and ever-changing. 

In recent years, there has been a push for medical marijuana legalization in many countries. Here is a guide to medical marijuana legalization around the world.

In the United States, federal law prohibits the use of cannabis for any purpose. However, some states have passed their own laws legalizing medical marijuana. 

In Canada, medical marijuana was legalized nationwide in 2001. Patients must obtain a prescription from a licensed doctor in order to legally purchase and consume cannabis products.

In Europe, attitudes towards cannabis are changing. In the Netherlands, possession and consumption of small amounts of cannabis is decriminalized. 

And in Germany, patients with certain medical conditions can get prescriptions for cannabis products from their doctors.

In Asia, the situation is more complicated. In China, possession of small amounts of cannabis can result in a prison sentence. 

However, in India and Nepal, both traditional medicine and recreational use of cannabis are legal.

As public opinion continues to shift in favor of medical marijuana legalization, it is likely that more countries will change their laws in the coming years.

Countries Where Marijuana Is Completely Legal

There are currently four countries where marijuana is completely legal: Canada, Uruguay, Georgia, and South Africa. 

In Canada, marijuana was legalized for medicinal use in 2001 and for recreational use in 2018. 

Uruguay was the first country to fully legalize marijuana, doing so in 2013. 

Georgia decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana in 2017, and South Africa followed suit in 2018.

Countries with Medical Marijuana Programs

According to a report by the World Health Organization, there are currently more than 100 countries with medical marijuana programs. 

The report found that the number of countries with medical marijuana programs has nearly doubled in the past decade.

The report found that the majority of medical marijuana programs are in developed countries, with the United States leading the way. 

Canada and Israel also have well-established medical marijuana programs. A number of European countries, including Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, have also legalized medical marijuana.

In recent years, a number of developing countries have also legalized medical marijuana, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay. 

The WHO report found that many of these programs are still in their early stages and need to be further developed.

Countries That Have Decriminalized Marijuana

There are a growing number of countries that have decriminalized marijuana, either for medical or recreational purposes. 

Here is a list of some of the most notable countries that have taken this step:

• United States: A growing number of states in the US have decriminalized marijuana, with some also legalizing it for recreational use. This trend is expected to continue as more states debate the issue.
• Canada: Canada legalized medical marijuana in 2001, and recently became the second country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis use.
• Uruguay: Uruguay was the first country to fully legalize marijuana, doing so back in 2013. The country has seen positive results from this decision, with crime rates falling and tourism increasing.
• Spain: Spain has long had a tolerant attitude towards cannabis, and it was officially decriminalized for personal use in 2015. Public smoking of cannabis is still not allowed however.
• Netherlands: The Netherlands has had a famously relaxed attitude towards marijuana for many years, and it was decriminalized in 1976. However, possession and sale of small amounts is still technically illegal.
• Portugal: Portugal took an innovative approach to drug policy in 2001 when it decriminalized all drugs, including marijuana. This decision was based on the belief that addiction should be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that medical marijuana is legal in a growing number of countries and states around the world. 

While the laws governing medical marijuana vary from place to place, the trend is towards greater legalization and acceptance of its use for medicinal purposes. 

If you are considering using medical marijuana, be sure to check the laws in your country or state to ensure that you are doing so legally.

Resources:

• https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/medical-marijuana-faq
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cannabis
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6358421/