The European continent is currently leading the way in national adult-use cannabis legalization, with four countries having adopted such measures. In comparison, the South American continent has one country (Uruguay), North America has one (Canada), and Africa has one (South Africa). This demonstrates the significant progress that Europe has made in terms of cannabis policy reform.
Malta was the first European country to adopt a national, adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2021, making it the third country globally to do so, following Uruguay and Canada. While many expected other European countries to be the first to legalize, Malta ultimately took the lead. Luxembourg followed suit in 2023, but their adult-use legalization model is considered inferior to Malta’s in various ways.
In 2024, Germany made history by approving its own legalization measure, known as the CanG law. This is widely seen as the most significant cannabis policy modernization victory in Europe to date, and it has ushered in a new era for the continent’s emerging cannabis industry and reform movement. Germany’s model includes provisions for personal cultivation (three plants) and possession (50 grams), as well as cultivation associations and pilot trials. In comparison, Malta’s model includes cultivation associations but not pilot trials, and Luxembourg’s model includes neither.
The Czech Republic became the most recent European nation to legalize cannabis for adult use when lawmakers approved a measure earlier this year. Their model allows adults to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences and possess up to 100 grams of cannabis. This possession limit is the highest in Europe, but unfortunately, the Czech model does not include cultivation associations or pilot trials. Recreational legalization will take effect in the Czech Republic on January 1, 2026.
Looking ahead, Slovenia and Switzerland are predicted to be the next European countries to legalize cannabis for adult use. Lawmakers in Slovenia introduced an adult-use legalization measure in July, just days after the country’s National Assembly approved a landmark medical cannabis legalization measure. Some of the proposed components of Slovenia’s adult-use legalization law include allowing four plants per adult or six plants per multi-adult residences. However, it is important to note that just because a measure is proposed, it does not guarantee its approval. The political reality is that some proposals have a better chance of being approved than others.
In conclusion, Europe is leading the way in national adult-use cannabis legalization, with four countries having already adopted such measures. While other continents have also made progress, Europe’s efforts in cannabis policy reform are commendable and set an example for the rest of the world.
