Countries Where Weed is Legal

Legalizing weed is one of the most typical topics that is discussed in many forums and societies. Many countries have joined the bandwagon of being WOKE and have liberalized the use of weed, while some are still stringent. 

There are around 26 countries across the globe that have legalized or decriminalized the use of weed. Among these many have clearly and fully legalized recreational and medical marijuana and some have partially legalized them keeping a limit on the amount of weed that can be possessed. 

Countries Where Weed Is Legal?

Not many, but there are a few countries where using marijuana has been legalized and decriminalized. Though there are still many who are trying to go the same way, some have taken this decision to regulate the usage and production and also to reduce the criminal activities related to it. There are usually two major types of marijuana usage, recreational form and medical form. Below is the list of countries which have made marijuana legal:

1. 1. 1. Canada (fully legalized in October 2018)
      2. Mexico (decriminalized- private or personal possession of only 5 gms or lesser than that)
      3. United States of America (some parts have legalized and some have not)
      4. Costa Rica (one can smoke in public beaches, but not in private)
      5. Belize (decriminalized up to 10 grams of usage and possession)
      6. Argentina (legalized both medical and recreational usage)
      7. Jamaica (decriminalized in 2015)
      8. Colombia (decriminalized up to 20 grams of weed)
      9. Peru (legal only if you smoke privately, but cannot grow or sell)
      10. Ecuador (decriminalized up to 10 grams of weed)
      11. Uruguay (legalized completely for age 18 and above)
      12.  Belgium (decriminalized up to 3 grams, but smoke privately)
      13. Netherlands (partially legalized, that is free to smoke but cannot grow)
      14. Italy (legalized, but cannot sell or grow)
      15. Portugal (decriminalized up to 25 grams since 2001)
      16. Switzerland (decriminalized, and one can grow as well)
      17. Spain (legalized since 2017)
      18. Croatia (decriminalized personal use)
      19. Russia (decriminalized up to 6 grams)
      20. The Czech Republic (decriminalized up to 15 grams)
      21. Australia (medical marijuana is legalized and recreational marijuana is decriminalized)
      22. Ukraine (decriminalized up to 5 grams)

Difference between decriminalized and legal weed

With marijuana being a major legal topic to discuss on many forums, the word legalization and decriminalization pop up often. It is seen that many countries have made marijuana legal and some have some have decriminalized. However, it is seen that these two terms are used interchangeably when it comes to weed. However, this is not the case, both the terms define weed and its legality in different ways.

• Weed legalization: weed legalization is a process in which weed is made legal and thus using weed is not legally wrong or punishable. One will not be prosecuted or charged if found using marijuana under legalization. However, everything related to weed and its regulations will be under government, which means there will be rules like age barring, usage restrictions, taxes, etc. Also the production, processing and distribution is regulated by the government.
• Weed decriminalization: according to the government, decriminalization is not similar to legalization. In decriminalization, using marijuana is still not legal and one can get charged for it. Using or possessing small amounts will not pose as a problem and one can get off after a fine or a civil case. However, possessing larger amounts can lead to criminal charges and prosecution. Also in decriminalization, the government cannot tax the production and distribution of the weed, which can lead to bigger illegal problems like cartels. 

Therefore, it is quite clear that; legalizing the use of weed can have many benefits. Not only it will help the users in attaining recreational or medical marijuana, but it will also help the government in keeping a stern eye on the production and distribution.

Recreational and medical cannabis

As many countries have already legalized the use of recreational marijuana and many are on the way to it, many questions are to be answered about the same. The major question that is asked most is; what is the difference between medical and recreational cannabis?

• About medical marijuana: Medical marijuana is the form of cannabis extract which contains a large amount of cannabidiol. It is useful in alleviating certain health-related issues. Today, for many health issues like joint pain, allergies, sleep apnea and even cancer, medical marijuana is used. Many chemicals are found in the cannabis plant, but two of the most crucial one are Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that is psychoactive means it gives the high, while the CBD is healing and does not have any psychoactive characteristics. In medical marijuana extracts, CBD has the highest concentration while THC is present in a negligible amount. If you are planning to get medical marijuana, then there is a need for a recommendation and also the recommendation needs to be renewed with time. One also should be more than 18 years of age to buy medical marijuana from any dispensary.
• About recreational marijuana: For many years, people have been using marijuana as a psychoactive substance for getting high. Recreational kind of marijuana is usually used for getting high, as it has a higher concentration of THC in it. Many types of marijuana can be found and its recreational value varies from one type to another. Also, the buyer does not require any kind of recommendation for getting recreational marijuana.  However, it is important to make sure that the buyer is more than the age of 21 years for getting recreational marijuana. In countries and places where weed is legal, one can easily get them from dispensary or can also grow it if they are above age 21.

Forms of marijuana

There are many ways marijuana is referred to as, like pot, weed or hash. This is because marijuana comes in many forms. Generally, flower of the cannabis plant is the most highly used part, but lately many other forms are also coming into the scene. The seeds, the flowers, the leaves and even the stems are used to generate cannabis products. There are edibles, topical and concentrates that are found in the market, which can be used in varied recreational and medical ways. There are three major strains of marijuana, that is, cannabis ruderalis, cannabis Sativa and cannabis indica. Cannabis sativa and cannabis indica are the two most highly used types. Depending on the type, usage, objective and potency one wants, there are different forms of weed to choose from. 

Some of the common forms in which marijuana is found are:

• • • Traditional type: in this one can find powdered marijuana flower, which can be smoked, eaten or vapored using certain devices. This is the most common recreational form that is found and is certainly the most highly preferred form.
    • Hash: hash or hashish is a refined form of cannabis. The resin is created from the plant extracts and is also stronger than the traditional powdered form. They come in the form of blocks, sheets or balls. These are mixed with food or swallowed directly or can be smoked too.  
    • Concentrates: concentrates of marijuana are a very potent form of cannabis. In this, the THC concentration is way too high, as it is extracted using various methods like the CO2 method, solvent or butane method. Concentrates are extracted in the form of oil which can be vaped or smoked or can be dabbed. Common concentrate types used are:

• • • Shatter: This is a hard resin form of weed contrite.
    • Oil: which is in oil form and is vaped or smoked.
    • Wax: this type of concentrate in waxy form also called budder.

• • • Edibles: these are a form of cannabis, which can be eaten, are usually mixed with food type which can be eaten directly. In the legal countries finding an edible form of marijuana has become quite easier. Also, it is seen that the effect of this type is delayed a bit, but the effect stays for longer periods. Some of the common edible forms are: 

• • • Candy bars
    • Gummies
    • Jelly
    • Shots
    • Cereals
    • Cookies
    • Popsicles etc.

• • • Topicals: In many health conditions like rashes, spasms, arthritis, pains and aches, marijuana topical are used. Some of the common types of topical that are found are:

• • • Patches
    • Creams
    • Balms
    • Lotions
    • Sprays

Why is weed legal in varied places?

The legalization of weed has always been a very hot topic among society, lawmakers and businesses. Many say against it and many want it to be legal in every country possible. The quips and statements against the legalization of weed have always been borderline weak in the argument. As there are certain reasons which state why marijuana being legal will pose as any problem like:

• • • Marijuana is safer than many: there are many legalized drugs in the market which are much more harmful than marijuana. Also, as cigarettes and alcohol are legal which are equally harmful, then weed should be legal too.
    • Lower chances of overdose: the cases of marijuana overdoses are quite less as compared to other drugs. Also, there have been no cases where there has been any kind of death due to overdosing on marijuana ever since the beginning of its usage.
    • Lower chances of addiction: many medical researches have presented that only 9-10% of weed users get addicted. The rate of addiction is lower than any other addictive drugs and substances.
    • Medical relief: marijuana has many benefits when it comes to lessening medical stress. It can relieve a patient of nausea, chronic pain, muscle spasm, insomnia and can even increase their appetite.

Thus, one can argue that the legalization of marijuana can decrease many stigmas related to it and can also educate people on their benefits. Many countries have legalized it and many still need to do it, but one thing is quite clear, regardless of all the social stigma marijuana can be counted as useful and beneficial.