Cannabis Around the World is a multi-part series exploring cannabis’ journey around the globe – from its beginning in ancient cultures Before the Common Era, its spread and integration into new societies in the Common Era, and its current global status in modern cannabis policies.
Africa
Although cannabis is not indigenous to Africa, trade routes established Before the Common Era and during the Common Era made the plant popular in many African countries. Cannabis is now illegal throughout most of Africa, but the continent has a large black-market industry for the plant. In many of the most populous countries of Africa, all uses of cannabis are prohibited. Despite the ban on cannabis, it is widely cultivated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although the death penalty is still a possible punishment for distributing cannabis, harvesting and selling the plant remains a popular source of income for many locals.
Similarly, cannabis is illegal, yet common, in Kenya and possession punishments vary from on-the-spot fines to a decade or more in prison. Although current laws may seem harsh, the country has signaled its intention to introduce a medical cannabis program in the future and petitions are increasing for the decriminalization of recreational cannabis.
Although Angola has a long history of cannabis trade, under modern cannabis policies all uses of the plant are currently illegal. Despite this, cannabis is cultivated throughout the country and is often trafficked to other African countries and up into Europe. Possession arrests are rare and punishments typically involve “fines” or bribes, however the country has recently begun to crack down on cannabis trafficking by initiating lengthy prison terms.
All uses of cannabis are currently illegal in Mozambique and the country has established some relatively harsh sentences for those in violation of the law. Trafficking punishments include prison sentences extending to 30 years and possession charges often result in hefty fines or bribes. Despite this, personal cannabis use and trafficking are common throughout Mozambique.
In Egypt, punishments can be even more severe. Medical and recreational cannabis are prohibited in the country and penalties can include fines, prison time, or the death penalty. Even though the country has strict laws in place, they are often unenforced and cannabis use is widespread. The laws may also be changing – recently there has been a push in the Egyptian government to decriminalize all uses of cannabis.
Despite harsh penalties for recreational use and possession of cannabis, Zambia established a medical use program in 2018. Medical use programs took off to a slow start, but currently over 30 cultivation licenses have been approved. However, recreational use is still illegal and strictly enforced and infractions can result in fines and up to a decade in prison.
In contrast to many other African countries, South Africa has relatively lax modern cannabis policies and legalized medical cannabis in 2017 as well as decriminalized private consumption in 2018. Although public consumption is still illegal, current legislation is vague and constantly in flux and a commercial market for cannabis may be established in the future. The current laws are unclear on what constitutes a “private” environment for the personal cultivation of cannabis and Parliament has yet to establish possession quantities for personal use cannabis. Although decriminalized, some may still receive punishment if caught with large amounts of cannabis – even if it was intended for personal use.
Uganda also has relatively relaxed laws compared to the rest of the continent. The country recently legalized medical cannabis, and in 2019, medical cannabis trade with the European Union was established. While the country continues to expand its medical cannabis exports, recreational use is still prohibited, yet often unenforced.
Although Nigeria is considered one of the top cannabis-consuming countries with over 10% of its population estimated to consume cannabis, all uses of cannabis are currently illegal. The country has become a major supplier of cannabis to West Africa as the plant thrives in the climate of Nigeria and grows wildly throughout the country. There has been a recent movement in the government desiring to legalize medical use, but widespread corruption has stalled progress and no laws have been approved.
Zambia is another top consumer of cannabis, despite having some of the toughest laws on recreational use and cultivation with punishments of fines and decades in prison. Due to an underfunded police force, these harsh penalties typically go unenforced and cannabis cultivation and use is common. Although medical cannabis has been legal since 1993, the country has issued no cultivation licenses and politicians are divided on the future of the plant.
South America
Medical cannabis is legal throughout most of South America, and although recreational cannabis is still illegal in some countries, many have also decriminalized the plant. In Argentina, medical cannabis use is legal for patients with specific conditions and the government provides the cannabis free of charge. Recreational cannabis use has also been decriminalized for up to 5 grams, but public consumption can result in a stop by police.
In Brazil, medical cannabis is also legalized, but only for patients who are either terminally ill or all other treatment options have been exhausted and only specific cannabis-based medicines have been approved. Recreational cannabis is prohibited in the country, though the government seems divided on whether to implement decriminalization like many other countries in the continent.
Chile also has medical cannabis for chronic conditions and treat the plant’s medical use like any other prescription drug. Chile also decriminalized recreational cannabis in 2015 and allow possession up to 10 grams. Before cannabis was decriminalized, in one year alone almost 20,000 people were detained for possession charges, far exceeding the global average incarceration rate.
Medical cannabis is legal in Columbia since 2015 and is easily accessible to patients with prescriptions. The country has also decriminalized possession of recreational cannabis up to 20 grams and allow for the personal cultivation of up to 20 plants. Columbia is also considered one of the top producers in cannabis and export cannabis throughout North and South America. Cannabis thrives in Columbia due to the long days, fertile soil, and expansive agricultural land.
In 2017, Peru legalized medical use cannabis, but structured regulations or a clear program has yet to be established. While patients currently have a difficult time staying within the unclear guidelines, there is hope for change in the future as the country continues to work on their legislation. Peru has also decriminalized up to 8 grams of recreational cannabis, however, cultivation still remains illegal and infractions can result in fines or prison time. Other South American countries like Panama and Venezuela may also follow suit and legalize medical cannabis, but the future of the plant in the continent is yet to be seen.
North America
Most modern cannabis policies of North American countries have some form of cannabis legalization or decriminalization. In 2018, Canada became one of the first countries in the world to legalize recreational cannabis and currently allow the possession of up to 30 grams or the personal cultivation of up to 4 plants per residence. Canada also legalized medical cannabis early, and since 2001 Canadian patients have had access to the plant. While recreational cannabis in Canada is regulated similarly to alcohol, medical cannabis is treated more like any other prescription drug and patients are allowed to possess up to 150 grams, or a thirty-day supply, in addition to the 30 grams of recreational cannabis they can possess at one time.
Although many associate Jamaica with cannabis use, the plant was only recently decriminalized. In 2015, the government decriminalized possession of recreational cannabis up to 2 ounces and the personal cultivation of up to 5 plants per residence. Medical cannabis use has also been legalized and the country recently opened their first medical cannabis dispensaries. Laws differ for those who practice Rastafari, a common religion in Jamaica. Rastafarians are allowed to cultivate and transport cannabis freely but are instructed to consume only in their place of worship.
Unlike most North American countries, all uses of cannabis are illegal in Cuba. With a reputation for being one of the worst countries for cannabis, Cuban society still holds that cannabis is one of the most dangerous narcotics. The country punishes cannabis crimes harshly and even small possession charges often result in prison time. Although some locals still consume cannabis, the plant can be difficult to find and the quality is often lacking. While some might hope for change, it is unlikely in the near future.
Mexico legalized medical cannabis in 2017, and although it appeared that recreational cannabis would be legalized as well, the plant is still technically prohibited. In 2018, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that laws outlawing the possession and use of cannabis were unconstitutional, thereby allowing the lawful use of recreational cannabis. Although deemed lawful, recreational cannabis use was not yet legal and Mexican lawmakers were given time to rework legislation to fit the ruling. After the Supreme Court granted a time extension, Mexican legislators now have until April 30, 2020 to decide the future of cannabis in the country.
The United States of America is divided on cannabis and laws regarding medical and recreational use of the plant vary by state. So far, 33 states have legalized medical cannabis and another 11 states have legalized recreational cannabis as well. While many politicians are currently pushing for federal cannabis laws to be established, the future of cannabis in the United States is unclear. Its possible the upcoming 2020 elections could decide the fate of cannabis in the country.
Worldwide support for recreational and medical cannabis is increasing, and more and more countries are establishing modern cannabis policies and expanding programs to regulate the plant. Although countries may always differentiate on how they control cannabis within their borders, the world is becoming a much friendlier place for cannabis users.