List of top Countries Legalized Weed and their Guidelines

Planning a holiday and want to be able to smoke? We don’t blame you! And here’s where to go.

The world is slowly but steadily waking up to the fact that marijuana isn’t a demon, after all. It’s taking longer than it should, but we are getting there. With more and more stoners out there every day, it is becoming imperative that we find countries to visit (or emigrate to) where the weed we smoke isn’t illegal.

Here are some of our top favorite countries for buying weed in, and a reflection over their guidelines.

The Top Countries that Legalized Weed

Before you book that holiday, maybe convince the family to go to one of these awesome locations, instead.

1 – Canada

The best weed marketplace in Canada is arguably online, although there are plenty of dispensaries that will help you out in person. Canada passed a federal Cannabis Act in October of 2018 which formally legalized cultivation and possession of cannabis. Medical cannabis had already been in use for some time.

You cannot provide cannabis to minors or use it and then drive. The Provinces of Canada have the power to regulate use, although it is no longer a criminal offence. You can carry up to 30 grams^[1] of cannabis bud or its equivalent without fear of repercussions. You can learn more about Canada’s cannabis laws, here.

2 – The Netherlands

This is a huge misconception, so we thought we would add it in. Amsterdam and the rest of The Netherlands have a hard stance on drugs. All of them are illegal. Cannabis use is tolerated under exacting circumstances which need to be obeyed to the letter if a premises is to provide weed to customers.

For example, the Amsterdam coffeeshops are not allowed to advertise weed ^[2]and cannot give access to those under 18. The drugs must be used indoors and not outdoors, and they must be used without tobacco to comply with tobacco smoking laws.

3 – (some of) The USA

While the USA is trying its best to progress with a national cannabis law, it is far from legal. Some states have decided to legalize it with differing laws between them. The states where Cannabis is legal, and their brief guidelines are as follows:

• Alaska – legal for recreational use since 2015.
• Arizona – up to one ounce if you are over 21.
• California – 28.5 legal grams per adult aged 21+
• Colorado – you must be over 21 and have ID.
• Connecticut – legal to possess 42.5 grams of marijuana.
• Guam – which isn’t a state but a territory. You can have one ounce or six plants.
• Illinois – recreationally legal in small amounts.
• Maine – 2.5 ounces is legal for adults over 21.
• Massachusetts – 1 ounce of weed or five grams of marijuana.
• Michigan – you can have 2.5 ounces here.
• Montana – you can carry up to an ounce if you are over 21.
• Nevada – Recreational marijuana is legal up to once ounce.
• New Jersey – you can carry 6 ounces or less
• New Mexico – legalized in June 2021 up to two ounces if you are over 21.
• New York – New Yorkers can have 3 ounces on them without being arrested.
• Oregon – the first state to decriminalized small amounts for personal use, recreation is legal here.
• South Dakota – Cannabis is legal for medical and recreational use.
• Vermont – Possession of up to one ounce is no longer illegal since July 2018.
• Virginia – You can possess weed if you are over 21 but without a medical prescription there’s nowhere to buy it.
• Washington – in Washington and DC adults over 21 can by one ounce of bud.
• Washington D.C.^[3]

4 – Uruguay

Uruguay were world leaders in the legalization of cannabis, where pharmacies have been selling recreational cannabis for years. The country legalized weed in 2013 but doesn’t have a lot of growers. Medical hemp and cannabis processing have since become big markets in Uruguay, giving them the commercial boost, much needed from marijuana sales.

Rounding Up

While other countries are in varying stages of deregulation, these are the world leaders who are pioneering the path we will all later walk. Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait long.

1. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/canadians.html ↑
2. https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/information/general/dutch-drug-policy.htm ↑
3. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-marijuana-legalization ↑