We use clear language and transitional words such as on the other hand<\/em>, in addition<\/em>, however<\/em> y in conclusion<\/em> to make it easier to read for both users and search engines. We also link to articles from official sources and reports from recognised bodies when citing legal or medical data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The European cannabis context is varied. Some states have legalised recreational use or implemented pilot programmes for controlled self-cultivation; others restrict use to medical use, and several still have very restrictive policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Germany<\/strong> became in April 2024 the European country with the largest population to legalise recreational use. The Cannabis Act<\/strong><\/a> (CanG)<\/strong> allows the possession of up to 25 grams in public spaces and up to 50 grams at home, as well as the cultivation of three plants per adult. It also establishes non-profit associations for cultivation and distribution among members, with limits and quality controls. This makes Germany a benchmark on the continent and has prompted debates on road safety: the government has set a maximum limit of 3.5 \u03bcg of THC per litre of blood in drivers to balance risks and freedoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malta<\/strong> was the first EU country to approve home cultivation and private possession of cannabis. According to the European Drug Report 2025<\/a><\/strong>, In December 2021, the cultivation of up to four plants per household and the possession of small amounts for consumption in private spaces were legislated; non-commercial cultivation clubs are also authorised. This reform seeks to separate the illicit market from the recreational market and allows adults to grow and consume marijuana for personal purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luxembourg<\/strong> legalised in July 2023 the cultivation of up to four plants per household and the possession of three grams of cannabis outside the home. Commercial sales remain unregulated, but the law<\/a> is a significant step forward and a hybrid model between decriminalisation and domestic legalisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Czechia (Czech Republic)<\/strong> plans a Cannabis Management Act<\/strong> <\/a>which would allow adult use under state controls. Although the bill has been delayed, the expectation is that it will be passed in 2025. In the meantime, possession and recreational use remain prohibited and only CBD products with less than 0.3 % THC are allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Netherlands<\/strong> are famous for their coffee shops<\/em>, where the sale of cannabis has been tolerated since 1976. However, cultivation and production remain illegal; therefore, the government has initiated a Closed Chain Experiment<\/strong> in 10 municipalities<\/a>. Since April 2025, these establishments can only sell cannabis produced in a regulated manner in order to study its impact on the black market and public health. This is an intermediate step between tolerance and regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Switzerland<\/strong>, The EU, although not a member of the EU, authorised in May 2021 pilot trials<\/strong> to supply regulated cannabis to adults for non-medical purposes. Article 8a of its Narcotic Drugs Act<\/a> allows these experiments for ten years, providing legal cannabis to controlled groups. This measure aims to generate scientific data for future policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portugal<\/strong> decriminalised the use of all drugs in 2001 and regulated medical cannabis in 2018 for patients with diseases where conventional treatments fail. The products of CBD<\/strong> and oils of hemp<\/strong> can be marketed if they contain less than 0.2 % THC. Although there are discussions about legalising recreational use, no law has been passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poland<\/strong> legalised medical cannabis in 2017, but recreational use remains prohibited. CBD products are legal if the THC content does not exceed 0.2 % (0.3 % from 2022). Public opinion and the political climate do not favour legalisation of adult use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Greece<\/strong> has allowed the prescription of medical cannabis since 2017 for conditions such as epilepsy or chronic pain. Recreational use is not allowed, although CBD is legal at less than 0.2 % THC. Dispensing of domestically produced medical products started in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium<\/strong> medical cannabis is administered through a state agency that has a monopoly on distribution. Only licensed drugs such as Sativex\u00ae or Epidyolex\u00ae are marketed - although their availability is limited. Recreational use remains prohibited and supplements with THC below 0.2 % are subject to strict regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n France<\/strong> maintains restrictive policies. A clinical trial with some 2,000 patients evaluates the efficacy of medical cannabis, but its continuation is in doubt. Recreational use is illegal and CBD products with less than 0.3 % THC are in a grey area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italy<\/strong> medical cannabis is allowed, but by 2025 the Decree-Law 48\/2025<\/strong> <\/a>classified industrial hemp flowers as controlled substances and banned their sale, cultivation and possession. The new regulation restricts the use of CBD<\/strong> for prescription pharmaceutical purposes. This tightening contrasts with the liberalising trend in other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Denmark<\/strong> implemented a medical cannabis pilot programme in 2018 and, in April 2025, the Parliament adopted the Law L135<\/strong><\/a>, which makes medical access permanent. The legislation establishes that all doctors can prescribe cannabis for any illness if they deem it appropriate and clarifies licences for cultivation, manufacture and distribution. In addition, guidelines for prescribers are updated and driving restrictions are revised. Thus, Denmark ensures sustainable access for patients and stability for the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium<\/strong>, France<\/strong> e Italy<\/strong> have already been mentioned for their limitations on recreational use and their strict control of medical cannabis. They are joined by countries such as Sweden<\/strong>, Finland<\/strong> y Hungary<\/strong>, where both recreational and medicinal use are highly regulated and possession can carry severe penalties. At Sweden<\/strong> y Hungary<\/strong> there is no official medical programme; in Finland<\/strong>, Only a small number of patients receive imported medical cannabis. Most of these countries do not allow CBD products with more than 0.2 % THC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The World Health Organisation (WHO)<\/strong> is a key player in the international scheduling of substances and has reviewed cannabis and CBD on several occasions. At the session of the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD)<\/a><\/strong> 2017, it was concluded that the pure cannabidiol (CBD) has no potential for abuse or harm<\/strong>, The report noted that there is no evidence of dependence and left it to national legislators to regulate it. The report noted that there is no evidence of dependence and left it to national legislators to regulate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Q&A document of August 2018<\/a>, The WHO recommended that CBD preparations \u201cshould not be subject to international control\u201d because they lack psychoactive properties and do not present a risk of abuse or dependence. However, it clarified that this recommendation does not imply promoting its medical use; it is about adjusting its classification in international treaties. In addition, the WHO acknowledged preliminary evidence of CBD's efficacy in certain forms of epilepsy and stressed the need for further clinical trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2019, the WHO director general sent recommendations to the United Nations to update the classification of cannabis and its derivatives, highlighting their emerging therapeutic value but insisting on preventing diversion and abuse. These proposals have encouraged several European countries to revise their laws, although each state retains autonomy to regulate according to its context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Spain, recreational cannabis use remains illegal. The sale of CBD<\/strong> is legal if THC does not exceed 0.2 %, but there is a regulatory gap for food supplements and cosmetics. The country has taken an important step with the Royal Decree 903\/2025<\/strong><\/a>, approved by the Council of Ministers on 7 October 2025. This regulation establishes a legal framework for the medicinal use of cannabis by means of magistral formulae<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOverview of legality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Countries with legalisation or experimentation for recreational use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/iguanasmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mapa_ilustrado_de_Europa_en_es_Nano_Banana_Pro_12191-1024x765.webp\")
Yellow: Intermediate regulation or medical cannabis
Red: Restrictive legislation on cannabis and marijuana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCountries with medical cannabis programmes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Countries with very restrictive policies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The WHO's view on cannabis and CBD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"World](\"https:\/\/iguanasmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Imagen_institucional_y_sobria__Nano_Banana_Pro_42140-1024x765.webp\")
Spain: current situation and new regulations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keys to Royal Decree 903\/2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n