Cannabis in Portugal

Portugal is globally recognized as a pioneer in drug decriminalization, having decriminalized the personal use and possession of all drugs, including cannabis, in 2001. Under this policy, possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis plant material or 5 grams of hashish is treated as an administrative offense rather than a criminal one. Individuals found with personal quantities are referred to a Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction rather than the criminal justice system.

Portugal's decriminalization model, often cited as a public health success story, focused on treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal one. The policy has been associated with reductions in drug-related deaths, HIV infections among drug users, and incarceration rates, while not leading to significant increases in drug use rates. The Portuguese model has influenced drug policy discussions worldwide.

Medical cannabis was legalized in Portugal in 2018, with the country establishing a regulatory framework for the cultivation and export of medical cannabis products. Portugal's favorable climate has attracted significant investment in cannabis cultivation facilities, with several large-scale operations established to produce medical cannabis for export to other European markets, particularly Germany. The cultivation sector has become one of the more notable aspects of Portugal's cannabis economy.

Despite decriminalization, recreational cannabis remains technically illegal for commercial sale or production. There is no licensed retail market for recreational cannabis, and the social acceptance that exists for personal use has not translated into a push for full commercial legalization. Portugal's role in the global cannabis industry is primarily as a cultivation and production hub for the European medical market.