BackGreen spring for the legalisation of cannabis in Europe

From the Balkans to Scandinavia, passing through the heart of the continent, cannabis is going through a true legislative spring in Europe, with many countries rethinking their policies on the plant, whether for medical or recreational use. In this context, cannabis emerges as a barometer of social and political transformations, leading a green revolution that combines medical innovation, economic pragmatism, and a slow but constant cultural change. Let’s take a closer look at the most relevant processes that are currently taking place.

 

 

On 30th May, the Czech Parliament passed a comprehensive reform of the Criminal Code which decriminalises limited home cultivation of cannabis, marking a before and after in the country’s drug policy. The new law will enter into force on 1st January 2026, subject to approval by the Senate. It will allow adults over 21 to grow up to three cannabis plants per person, and to possess up to 100 grams of dry cannabis at home, with a limit of 25 grams in public spaces. This initiative, promoted by the Czech government and with broad parliamentary support, introduces a graduated scale of consequences: growing between four and five plants will be considered an administrative offence, while exceeding these limits will remain a criminal offence. The reform also includes the legalisation of the therapeutic use of psilocybin, equating it to medical cannabis, which has already been allowed in the country since 2013. This puts the Czech Republic at the forefront of the regulation of psychedelic substances in Europe.

 

Slovenia also made a qualitative leap in the regulation of medical cannabis last April, with the introduction of a law considered by international experts as "the most progressive in Europe". The bill, driven by the Movement for Freedom and the Left, aims to legalise cultivation, production, distribution, and use for medical and scientific purposes under an open and regulated system. This new framework removes cannabis and THC from the list of banned substances for medical and scientific use; and allows any company or individual who meets the requirements to apply for a licence, thereby avoiding monopolies and encouraging innovation. The law is the result of a clear public mandate: In 2024, 66.7% of voters in a consultative referendum supported the legalisation of home cultivation for medicinal purposes. The project opens the door to a market expected to exceed 55 million euros per year by 2029, and positions Slovenia as a future export and innovation centre in the sector.

 

Denmark has also taken the final step to legalise medical cannabis after a seven-year pilot programme, which has treated around 1,800 patients and issued more than 20,000 prescriptions since 2018. The Medical Cannabis Law (L135), announced in November 2024 and officially approved on 9th May, makes the experimental programme a permanent policy within the national health system. The decision has been described as "a victory for patients", although the business sector has criticised imbalances in the reimbursement system and other regulatory obstacles that hinder the viability of domestic companies. The authorities remain hopeful that improvements will be made before the official entry into force on 1st January 2026.

 

Albania, a country historically associated with organised crime, is undergoing an unprecedented transition by regulating the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, with the issue of licences covering 138 municipalities. This measure has been hailed by officials as a boost to the economy, but has also been harshly criticised by the opposition and experts as a potential gateway to a takeover of the State by international drug trafficking networks. However, although detailed information on the regulatory framework is still scarce, this represents a turning point in Albanian drug policy, aligning itself with the European trend to focus on regulation and state control to help exploit the economic potential of the medical industry and reduce the influence of the black market.

 

In the UK, the London Drugs Commission (LDC) has recommended decriminalising personal possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis ― a proposal which has received public support from the mayor and is supported by 56% of Londoners. The initiative seeks to reduce the criminalisation of consumers, improve police efficiency, and allocate resources to preventing more serious addictions. At the same time, a recent survey reveals that most of the British population (53% of the country) supports the decriminalisation of cannabis, reflecting a change in social mentality that is pressuring lawmakers to move forward on law reform. Although the central government maintains a cautious stance, the momentum from London and the public opinion are placing the country at a historic crossroads regarding the regulation of marijuana.

 

 

After years of debate and political reluctance, France has taken a key step towards the legalisation of medical marijuana by announcing details of its medical programme in March 2025, which includes measures to facilitate access to cannabis-based treatments for patients with serious conditions ― although the regulatory framework remains very restrictive (it only applies to five pathologies) and is subject to strict medical controls. Nonetheless, the French advance is highly significant in a country with one of the toughest legislations in Europe. Meanwhile, the legalisation of recreational cannabis remains a taboo subject for most political parties, who only prioritise the medical and scientific approach.

 

Italy is experiencing a paradoxical situation. On the one hand, a court has challenged the measures of Giorgia Meloni's government against hemp, ratifying European legislation and protecting the industrial hemp sector. On the other hand, lawmakers have approved the prohibition of " light cannabis", closing a legal route that had allowed the sale of products with low THC content, leaving 1,500 producers and 30,000 direct jobs in limbo. This duality reflects the country’s intense debate between those who advocate for a more flexible regulation and those who are committed to tougher laws. The result is a confusing and fragmented legal framework, which hampers the development of a national cannabis industry and creates uncertainty among consumers and entrepreneurs.

 

The European Green Spring of cannabis is, above all, a story of gradual progress. No country has made the definitive leap towards regulated legalisation of recreational use, with a few exceptions such as Germany and, to some extent, the Czech Republic. However, legislative changes taking place in Slovenia, Denmark, Albania, and the UK show a clear trend: decriminalisation and medical regulation are gaining ground.

 

Each advance, however small it may seem, contributes to breaking down the social stigma surrounding cannabis. The benefits for public health, the reduction of the black market, the creation of jobs, and scientific innovation are increasingly difficult to ignore. And the experience of these countries shows that, even if the road is slow, the direction is clear: this is a journey towards a more open and fairer Europe in its relationship with cannabis.