More and more places have legalized marijuana in recent years, although the precise legalities differ from one place to another.

Let’s explore just 12 countries and 24 US states where the prohibition of cannabis is over.

24 States in the USA Where Cannabis Is Legal

More and more states in the USA have gradually been decriminalizing or legalizing the use of medical and recreational marijuana in recent years, and more look set to follow. For instance, Ohio is expected to pass a marijuana legalization bill this year.

And with more and more cannabis products coming onto the market, from delicious delta 8 THC edibles to THC and CBD concentrates, customers now have a wide choice in how they consume cannabis.

At present, the 24 states in the USA where legal recreational cannabis has been approved are:

 

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Guam
• Illinois
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

12 Countries Where Cannabis Is Legal

While cannabis remains illegal in many countries, many other countries have started decriminalizing and legalizing cannabis in recent years. And in some countries, marijuana hasn’t been prohibited for a long time.

Here are 12 of the most significant countries where it is legal to use cannabis.

1. The Netherlands

While most people know that you can buy marijuana products in the Netherlands’ famous coffee shops, it might surprise you to learn that cannabis is technically illegal in the country.

However, it has been widely sold and consumed since 1976. And due to its decriminalized nature, residents of the Netherlands are able to carry less than five grams of cannabis or cultivate less than five plants legally.

2. Canada

The Cannabis Act of 2018 made cannabis legal in Canada for both medicinal and recreational use.

In fact, the medicinal use of marijuana has been legal in the country since 2001.

3. Germany

Medicinal cannabis became legal in Germany in 2016. However, the recreational use of marijuana is still highly illegal.

4. Thailand

Medicinal marijuana has been legal in Thailand since 2018 and recreational cannabis has been legal since June 2022.

5. Argentina

In 2020, the personal use and cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes became legal. However, recreational use remains prohibited.

6. Mexico

Many countries in South America and Latin America have started legalizing cannabis besides Argentina.

In Mexico, medicinal marijuana has been legal since 2016 and personal use of recreational marijuana has been decriminalized since 2021, though a permit is required.

7. Belize

Belize decriminalized the possession and personal consumption of small amounts of dried marijuana in 2017.

8. Colombia

In Columbia, medicinal marijuana has been permitted since 2015.

Plus, the cultivation of recreational cannabis has been decriminalized since 2015, as long as no more than 20 plants are cultivated.

9. Ecuador

While recreational cannabis use is still illegal in Ecuador, possession of up to 10 grams has been decriminalized. Medicinal marijuana has been legal in the country since 2019.

10. Peru

Medicinal marijuana is also legal in Peru. It has been legal since 2021.

Also, people can carry up to eight grams of cannabis for personal use without being penalized.

11. Uruguay

Did you know that Uruguay was the very first country in the world to fully legalize cannabis? It did so in 2013.

Both medicinal and recreational marijuana can now be used by residents of the country.

12. Jamaica

While cannabis has long been associated with the Rastafarian culture of Jamaica, recreational marijuana is still actually illegal in the country.

However, in 2015, an amendment was passed to decriminalize cannabis for personal use.