We all know most people have mixed feelings when it comes to the herbs. What most of us consider a gift of nature, many consider a harmful drug. For a large part of modern society, people have debated, appealed and protested the legality of herbs. As a result, different countries have taken different stances on this controversial plant. But before we discuss that further, let’s refresh some terms used while discussing legality.
Decriminalization: When an illegal action is stripped from its criminal penalties. This means, in these countries, you’d at most get a fine for smoking herbs in certain areas, but no imprisonment or heavy punishment.
Recreational: This refers to casual usage of herbs for non-medicinal purposes.
Unenforced: Laws which are unenforced, often go unpunished by law enforcement. Smoking herbs might be illegal in theory here, but in practice it often goes unpunished.
COUNTRIES WHICH ALLOW RECREATIONAL USAGE
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Canada:
In response to popular opinion, Canada passed the Cannabis Act on 17th October 2018. This formally legalized the cultivation, possession, acquisition and consumption of the herb and its by-products, making it the first G7 and G20 nation to do so. In January 2019, Canada also opened up to online sales of god’s green herbs for recreational use.
But this doesn’t mean that they’re slacking in regulation by any means. There’s taxation and stronger punishments for people convicted of supplying to minors or of impairment while driving a vehicle.
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Uruguay:
Believe it or not, Uruguay was the first country in the modern era to legalize recreational use back in! In August 2014, Uruguay legalized growing up to 6 plants at home, as well as the formation of Social Clubs for the herbs and a state-controlled dispensary regime.
In 2017, the government authorized 16 pharmacies to become cannabis distributors, allowed to sell only to 5000 consumers registered with the government. The percentage of THC and CBD in the strains sold to the public gradually increased, as the low potency initially offered was not well received by consumers, with strains up to 20% THC being sold by the end of 2024.
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Thailand:
Possibly one of the most popular examples of a recreational usage country is Thailand. Licensed sales began on 9 June 2022. However, extracts and products are officially limited to 0.2% THC content.
On paper, only medicinal usage is legal, but in practice there is wide recreational usage. Legalisation has been proposed which provides fines for non-permitted uses and fines and jail time for unauthorized sale. Cannabis smoke is considered a public nuisance and thus prohibited in public areas.
Other Countries where Recreational Usage is allowed:
Georgia, South Africa, Mexico, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany
COUNTRIES WHICH ALLOW MEDICINAL USAGE
The lines get more blurry when we get to medicinal usage countries. While some countries like the USA and Australia have varying laws depending on internal states, others like Ireland are more unified with their nationwide illegality of recreational usage. But there’s an odd country you wouldn’t expect to be here!
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USA:
39 out of the 50 states of the USA have legalized medicinal usage of cannabis. There is significant variation in laws between states, with the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis being California in 1996.
Medicinal usage was popularized in the west by Irish physician William Brooke O’Shaughnessy who was introduced to the drug in the 1830s while living abroad in India!
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Ireland:
In Ireland, medicinal usage is highly regulated on a case-to-case basis by the Minister of Health. The 1998 regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 made cannabis a Schedule 1 drug, with licence granted to only one pharmaceutical company.
The first licence for medicinal use of cannabis oil was issued in December 2016 to a two year old boy with Dravet Syndrome for his treatment which began in Colorado, USA.
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Australia:
In November 2016, the Australian Federal Government legalised growing of herbs for medicinal and scientific purposes, effectively. They soon followed with issuing the first Cannabis Research licence under the medicinal cannabis provisions of the Narcotics Drugs Act 1967.
Australia has taken consistent strides with regulating medicinal usage from making CBD preparations a pharmacist only medicine from a prescription medicine.
Other countries that fall under Medicinal Usage:
Albania, Argentina, Austria, Barbados, Bermuda, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Malawi, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Vanuatu, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
COUNTRIES WITH STRICT REGULATION AROUND CANNABIS:
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India:
Cannabis in India has been known to be used at least as early as 2000 BCE. Historically, bhanga was used to treat catarrh, phlegm and diarrhea. Hemp was commonly traded by the Portuguese and British India. Drinks like Bhang Lassi and Thandai are the most common legal uses in modern day.
In November 2015, Uttarakhand legalized the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes. Both Madhya Pradesh and Manipur have considered legalising cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial purposes as well.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act banned the production and sale of cannabis resin and flowers, but permitted the use of the leaves and seeds under state regulation. The NDPS Act doesn’t mention anything about smoking paraphernalia like rolling papers, smoking pipes etc.
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Nepal:
Cannabis has been illegal in Nepal since 1976, but the country has a long history of use of cannabis for Ayurvedic medicine. In the 1960s, the Hippie Trail began to route young Western adventurers through Nepal. The stable cannabis economy was rocked by an influx of demand.
Under pressure from the United States, Nepal cancelled the licenses of all cannabis shops, dealers, and farmers in 1973, leading to a loss of $100,000 in government revenues.
PLACES YOU LEAST EXPECT IT TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE MASSES
North Korea:
Yes! Widely debated due to the lack of information from the country but there might be something to go by here. According to sources at NK News and Reddit, Vice News reported in 2013 that cannabis was widely used and tolerated in North Korea by the lower classes to relax after a day of labour.
Many countries have had their ups and downs when it comes to legalization. But on a large scale, opinions are trending more positive. Be that as it may, it's important to be safe and have a great time!
Tags: 420 community, 420 lifestyle, Bhang, Hemp, Industry, Jb fam, Learn with JB
