Politics
Now that four European countries have legalized cannabis for recreational use, the obvious question is ‘which country will be next?’ Some European countries are currently considering legalizing adult use of cannabis. However, some measures seem to be more likely to pass than others.
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The European continent has the highest number of countries which have legalized adult cannabis use. South America only has one country (Uruguay), North America one (Canada), and Africa one (South Africa). Comparatively speaking, four European nations now have national legalization of adult-use marijuana.
Malta, the first European state to pass a legalization law for cannabis use by adults, did so in 2021. Malta is now the third nation worldwide to achieve this, after Uruguay and Canada. Malta was the first European country to legally legalize cannabis, despite many others expecting to do so. Luxembourg followed Malta in adopting its legalization of recreational cannabis law 2023. Luxembourg’s legalization of cannabis for adult use is inferior to Malta in several ways.
Germany passed its landmark legalization law in 2024. CanG, the German cannabis law passed in 2024 is considered by many to be Europe’s most important cannabis policy reform victory to date. It has also ushered a new age for Europe’s growing cannabis industry. Germany’s cannabis legalization model contains provisions regarding personal cultivation (three plant) and possession of 50 grams, as well as for cultivation associations and trial trials. Malta’s cannabis legalization models includes pilot tests, but does not include cultivation associations. Luxembourg’s model also excludes these components.
In early this year, the Czech Republic’s lawmakers passed a bill that legalized cannabis for adults. The Czech Republic’s legalization of cannabis will allow adults to grow up to 3 plants at their homes and to possess 100 grams. Czechia will have the largest adult cannabis possession limit in Europe. However, there will unfortunately be no pilot tests or cultivation associations included as part of the Czech model. In the Czech Republic, recreational legalization is set to take place on January 1, 2026.
Slovenia and Switzerland are predicted to legalize next
Now that four European countries have legalized cannabis for recreational use, the obvious question is ‘which country will be next?’ Legislators in a number of European countries are examining adult-use cannabis legalization. However, some measures seem to be more likely to pass than others. Politicians know that just because something is being proposed doesn’t mean it will pass.
Slovenia, a country in Europe that has been ranked as the most likely to legalize cannabis by many policy analysts is a top contender. Slovenian lawmakers introduced an adult-use measure for legalization in July. This was just days after Slovenia’s National Assembly had approved the landmark legalization of medical cannabis. Slovenia’s adult-use law is reported to include the following components:
- Four plants per adult, or six plants per multi-adult residences
- Possession in public of up to seven grams cannabis
- Possession of no more than 150 grams of marijuana in a private residence or 300 grams for multi-adult households
- Legal to gift cannabis to an adult
- It would be illegal for employers to test their employees’ cannabis usage
Slovenian voters approved both the medical cannabis measure as well as the adult use measure in the referendum last year. Slovenian voters voted in favor of the adult-use referendum measure by 51.57%. Although the vote in the referendum is not legally binding, the message it sends to Slovenia’s legislators that most of the voters support a modernized cannabis law was clear.
Switzerland has also been a target of attention from cannabis policy experts, since it legalized adult use earlier this summer. Switzerland’s Social Security and Health Committee of National Council approved the measure in preliminary form on February. The following are the components that Switzerland is considering:
- Three per adult
- The sales would be subject to taxation and a state-monopoly
- Vertical advertising and integration would be banned
- Increased penalties would apply to “people who avoid the legal marketplace”
The proposed Swiss legalization model allows adults to have a small amount of marijuana for personal use. However, no specific limit on cannabis possession has been set. In a press release issued by the Social Security and Health Committee of Switzerland’s National Council in 2016, “maximum amounts for private and publicly owned cannabis apply,” however, quantities weren’t specified.
In Switzerland, regional cannabis commerce pilot trial trials for adults are currently underway. After two years, the Swiss pilot program has not been plagued by major problems. Data and information gathered through the regional trials can be used to support the legalization of cannabis in Switzerland.
Europe is the world leader in cannabis industry and policy. The International Cannabis Business Conference will take place in Berlin, Germany on April 15th. The largest B2B cannabis event in Europe is taking place. Attendees will include leading policymakers and experts in the industry from Slovenia, Switzerland and other European top markets. Many of these experts will provide the most current information regarding Europe’s new cannabis laws through panel discussions and keynote presentations.