Where is medical cannabis legal? It's a good question and one this blog will answer. By now, the world and its pet goldfish know that most of the USA has legalised and is on the way to freeing the herb on a federal level. And most people know that you can get high in a handful of countries without the night ending in cuffs. But what if you use cannabis as a medicine? Depending on where you live, you might be able to get cannabis from a doctor, and some of the places you can get cannabis on prescription might surprise you. Join us as we take a tour of the legal cannabis landscape.
Where is medical cannabis legal?
By the last count, there are 18 countries spread across five continents where you can get some form of cannabis prescription. No two countries share the same policy; in the US, it differs from state to state. It's important to learn about the differences, and that's why The ASC has compiled this handy list of countries where medical cannabis is legal.
Let's go!
North America: Leading the way on medical cannabis
What was once an underground movement has grown into a billion-dollar industry, and the USA is leading the way in legal medical cannabis. Here's a breakdown of the USA medical cannabis scene:
United States
Cannabis is still illegal federally, but it is anticipated that the US will pass federal legalisation in 2025. but medical cannabis is legal in 38 states. Conditions for eligibility vary, but chronic pain, epilepsy, and PTSD are common qualifying conditions.
Canada
Canada fully legalised medical cannabis in 2018, and now it seems a lifetime ago. Medical cannabis is widely available, and patients can even grow their own plants.
Europe: Late to the party
Germany
2024 saw the birth of legal green in Germany. Home to one of Europe's most progressive cannabis policies, patients in Germany with severe conditions can access medical cannabis, reimbursed by health insurance.
United Kingdom
Did you know medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018. However, access is still restricted, limited to private suppliers, and only patients with long-term and chronic conditions are eligible.
Netherlands
Famous for its coffee shops and the 5-gram limit, The Netherlands has legal medical cannabis, but it is strictly regulated, and patients often have to obtain prescriptions through private means.
Italy, Spain & Portugal
Italy has a legal medical cannabis program, but if you live in Italy, you might get quickly frustrated. While prescriptions are technically available, access is tightly controlled, and supply issues often leave patients decriminalised to get their medicine. The government oversees production, but most cannabis is imported. Like fixing the roads in Italy, it is expensive and bureaucratic.
Spain sits in a legal grey area when it comes to medical cannabis. There's no formal government-backed program, but private cannabis clubs and personal cultivation are tolerated, and they have one of the largest cannabis expos in the world in Spannabis.
Portugal is always held up as the ultimate drug policy, but it is often misunderstood. In 2001, all drugs were decriminalised, shifting the focus from prison time to public health, but that doesn't mean getting legal medical cannabis in Portugal is easy. Like many other European countries, medical cannabis is legal, but regulations are strict, and access to medicine is limited. However, despite this limited policy on medical cannabis, Portugal has several companies producing cannabis for export.
Latin America: Pioneers in Medical Cannabis
The Daya Foundation, a nonprofit in Chile, was the first legal cannabis grown in Latin America. Our very own Paradise Seeds supplied the genetics and thousands of cannabis seeds to help it (in 2015) become the most significant legal grower in South America.
Argentina and Colombia legalised and embraced medical cannabis, with government-backed programs making cannabis-based treatments more accessible. Colombia, in particular, is becoming a global cannabis export hub thanks to its ideal climate and government-supported industry. They grow nearly as much cannabis as they do avocados.
Uruguay took things even further, becoming the first country in the world to fully legalise cannabis. Medical users can access cannabis easily through pharmacies or even grow their own plants, making Uruguay one of the most progressive cannabis-friendly nations on the planet.
Oceania & Asia: Limited Medical Cannabis
Australia made medical cannabis legal in 2016, but getting it is hard work. Patients need special approval, and prescriptions aren't easy to come by, but demand is growing fast. Despite the barriers, Australia's cannabis industry is expanding, with more patients turning to the plant for chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Of course, anyone with an eye on booking a beach holiday will know that in 2018, Thailand made history as the first Asian country to legalise medical cannabis. It started as a trickle and is fast becoming a booming industry, with the most prominent players in cannabis flocking to Thailand to get a taste of the legal cannabis scene.
Medical Cannabis Seeds Online at Amsterdam Seed Center
If growing medical cannabis at home is your only option, Amsterdam Seed Center has got your chronically bad back. Why not use our seed finder and find the best medical cannabis seed for you. From potent THC hybrids to high CBD indicas, ASC has pretty much got something for everyone. You can check out the full list of where medical cannabis is legal here.