Cannabis Laws in Latvia

Latvia maintains a conservative approach to cannabis policy while allowing limited medical access to cannabis-based pharmaceuticals. Sativex is approved for use in certain medical conditions, and other cannabis-based medicines can be accessed through special authorization from the State Agency of Medicines on a case-by-case basis. However, practical access remains limited, with few patients benefiting from these provisions and limited physician familiarity with cannabis-based treatments. The medical framework is far more restrictive than those in neighboring EU countries with comprehensive programs.

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Latvia, with possession treated as an administrative offense for small amounts (punishable by fines) and a criminal offense for larger quantities. Latvia's drug policy has been relatively static, with little political momentum for reform. The CBD market is developing slowly, with products containing less than 0.2% THC available through some retailers, though the market remains small compared to Western European countries. Latvia's position in the Baltic region, between the similarly conservative Estonia and the slightly more liberal Lithuania, places it in a middle ground that is unlikely to see significant policy changes without broader regional or EU-level developments.