Over the past decade, medical marijuana has exploded in popularity (and legality) in the United States. Millions of patients all across the nation are now seeing a massive improvement in their quality of life thanks to MMJ treatment. Medical marijuana is being used in the US to treat a wide variety of illnesses, such as chronic pain, glaucoma, migraine, muscle spasms, insomnia, arthritis, PTSD, and epilepsy.
The MMJ revolution began in traditionally liberal states such as Washington and Colorado and has ultimately been embraced by a large majority of states, including traditionally more conservative states such as Oklahoma. The facts don’t lie, and there is now copious proof that a well-run medical marijuana program is great not only for the wellbeing of a state’s citizens, but also for its economy.
But while the US has embraced medical marijuana and is now reaping the benefits, not every country in the world is as forward-thinking. The medical marijuana revolution is sweeping the world, but it is moving more slowly in many regions of the globe than it is in the US. Sadly, the citizens of many of the world’s nations are still not able to enjoy the benefits of a well-run MMJ program.
However, the direction of change is only moving in one direction. And while the revolution is sometimes slow, it is undoubtedly happening. More and more countries are legalizing MMJ all the time. So let’s take a look at which countries have legalized MMJ in 2021.
How Many Countries Is MMJ Legal In?
Forty-three countries currently have some form of legal medical marijuana. Some of these countries have full, open medical marijuana programs that make a wide variety of MMJ products available to patients. Others have restrictive programs that only allow treatment with marijuana-derived pharmaceuticals, such as Sativex and Epidiolex, and only for the treatment of a small range of illnesses.
Which Countries Have Legalized Medical Marijuana in 2021?
The countries that have legalized medical marijuana in 2021 are:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malawi
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Sri Lanka
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Which Are The Most Recent Legal MMJ Countries?
Some of the most recent legal MMJ countries also have the most restrictive programs. This is because they are unfolding their MMJ programs tentatively, and often in the face of political opposition. Things often move more slowly at a national level, as we can see from the fact that the United States has still not managed to lift the federal prohibition on MMJ.
Some of the newest MMJ countries are Ireland and the UK. In these countries, it is very difficult to qualify for MMJ treatment, and often all that is available are marijuana-derived pharmaceuticals, such as Sativex and Epidiolex.
Will Medical Marijuana Be Legalized In More Countries In 2021 And Beyond?
It seems certain that MMJ will be legalized in more countries in 2021 and beyond. However, it is difficult to predict which countries are set to legalize MMJ in 2021. However, France is one country to keep an eye on, because they are trialing MMJ treatments at the moment and there is strong public support for MMJ legalization in the country.
What Are The Countries With Legal Marijuana?
Some countries have fully legalized recreational marijuana. In most of these countries, marijuana is available to anybody over the age of 18 or 21. If you travel to these countries you can purchase marijuana products without having a medical marijuana card.
The countries that have fully legalized recreational marijuana are:
- Australia (Australian Capital Territory only)
- Canada
- Georgia
- South Africa
- Uruguay
What Countries Allow CBD?
CBD derived from hemp is legal in most countries, but marijuana-derived CBD is illegal in most countries in which marijuana is illegal. This is because, in these countries, the cultivation of marijuana itself is illegal.
Can You Travel Between Countries With Medical Marijuana?
You cannot leave or enter the United States with medical marijuana. This is because, despite being legal in most US states, medical marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.
How Do You Get An MMJ Card In The US?
The best way to get a medical marijuana card in the US is to arrange a telemedicine consultation with a licensed MMJ doctor through the MMJRecs online clinic. Once your medical condition has been diagnosed by the examining MMJ doctor, and they have established that MMJ treatment is suitable for you, they will email you a legal medical marijuana physician certification form. It is a quick and easy process.
Featured image by Brett Zeck on Unsplash