Legality of Cannabis

Cannabis has been in use for thousands of years. Especially in countries like India and Nepal where Cannabis has long been used in religious rituals at the same time, it is illegal but rarely are the laws enforced.

Cannabis was widely used in the 18th century for medical and recreational purposes. In most countries, it was sold over the counter. In 1925, a change of the International Opium Convention banned the exportation of Indian hemp to countries that have prohibited its use. Importing countries were required to issue certificates approving the importation, stating that the shipment was to be used "exclusively for medical or scientific purposes".

Legalised:

Netherlands:Decriminalised for possession of up to five grams (in case of a police control it is still confiscated), for public use and for use in 'coffeeshops'

South Africa: Illegal since 1922. Prohibitions against the private cultivation and use of the plant were declared unconstitutional and invalid in 2017

Uruguay: First country to legalise cannabis. Govt. grows cannabis and sells it. Legit Business.

Spain: Legal (Private areas only, illegal in public areas (decriminalised), offenders receive an administrative fine.) Possession of more than 70/100gr. (depending on the autonomous community) is considered as possession with the intention of trafficking

Austria: Possession and purchase of up to five grams for personal use is decriminalised and offenders will not be punished, given that they cooperate with the health authority and undergo a therapy.

Columbia:Legal for up to 22 grams for personal use. No limit for medical or scientific purpose, and if licensed by the "National Anti-narcotics Council"

Germany:Legal for medicinal purposes. Recreational consumption is legal on the basis of it being considered self-harm.

India:Illegal at the federal level. Legal or tolerated in several states such as West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar, Odisha and the North East. Govt. permits legalised Bhang shop in most northern cities. At most times authorities turn a blind eye.

United States: Illegal at the federal level (but legal at the state level in Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington and in Washington, D.C.; decriminalised in eighteen states, medicinal legal in 25 states and Guam. All Indian Reservations are allowed to regulate cannabis laws; laws vary by reservation.)

Legalised for medical Usage:

Australia:Legal for medicinal and scientific purposes. Decriminalised for personal use in the Northern Territory, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Mexico:Legal for medicinal and scientific purposes. Decriminalized for personal use.

Israel:Illegal for recreational use, but limited medical uses have been permitted since the 1990s. In early 2017, Gilad Erdan, the nation's Public Security Minister, announced that Israel planned to decriminalise the possession of cannabis for personal use.

Philippines:Illegal (Provision for medicinal use as per Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Pending Government approval)

Croatia: Illegal (decriminalized) medical use only

Italy: Illegal (legal for medicinal use only)

Poland: Illegal (legal for medicinal use only)

Macedonia: Illegal (legal for medicinal use only)

Canada: Legal with government issued licence for medical or industrial purposes. On April 20, 2016, Health Minister Jane Philpott announced that new legislation would be introduced in spring 2017 to legalise and regulate cannabis in Canada

Turkey: The cultivation of marijuana is legal in nineteen provinces in Turkey for medicinal and scientific purposes. However, with permission this can also be conducted in other provinces too