Cannabis in Portugal - Facts, Laws & Developments

Cannabis in Portugal - What is the country's position?

Portugal is known worldwide for its progressive drug policy - a country that decriminalised all drugs in 2001.Drogen introduced. But what does this mean for cannabis in concrete terms? Is consumption permitted? What can tourists or locals expect if they want to buy or use cannabis?

This blog takes a close look at the legal situation, the development of the regulations and what you should know if you are interested in cannabis in Portugal. Whether for recreational use or medicinal purposes, here you can find out where the limits lie and what opportunities a possible legalisation could offer.

Is cannabis legal in Portugal - and can you buy it?

Portugal is considered a pioneer in drug policy, mainly due to the decriminalisation of all drugs in 2001. However, entkriminalisiert does not mean that cannabis is legal. Although possession of small quantities for personal use is not prosecuted, it is still an administrative offence. Anyone caught will face fines or mandatory counselling sessions at a so-called Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention count. This regulation applies to quantities that are considered personal use, i.e. a maximum of 25 grams of cannabis flowers or 5 grams of hashish.

The purchase and sale of cannabis remains illegal. This means that there are no legal sales outlets or coffee shops in Portugal as there are in the Netherlands. The street trade, which is common in tourist areas such as Lisbon or Porto, is not only illegal, but also harbours additional risks such as poor product quality or fraud.

Can you buy cannabis in Portugal?
The answer is: officially no. There is no legal way to obtain cannabis for recreational use. Even medicinal cannabis is only available from specialised pharmacies and under strict conditions. Anyone who buys cannabis anyway is operating in a grey area and risks legal consequences.

The evolution of cannabis laws in Portugal

Portugal made a name for itself internationally when it became the first country in the world to decriminalise all drugs in 2001. The aim was to promote public health and curb the black market instead of criminalising users. But how have the laws developed specifically for cannabis?

Important milestones in cannabis legislation in Portugal:

• 2001: Decriminalisation of all drugs
  Possession of small quantities is classified as an administrative offence and is not prosecuted. Instead, Portugal favours prevention and rehabilitation.
• 2018: Approval of medicinal cannabis
  Since then, patients can be prescribed cannabis-based medicines under strict conditions. However, access is limited and strictly regulated.
• To date: No complete legalisation
  Despite numerous discussions, Portugal has not yet legalised the recreational use of cannabis. The government is sticking to decriminalisation and is avoiding a step towards a free market.

Why has cannabis not been fully legalised?

The Portuguese government argues that decriminalisation has already been successful in reducing drug-related offences. At the same time, full legalisation is viewed critically as it could potentially bring new risks, such as an increase in consumption among young people.

Practical tips: What tourists and locals should know

Although Portugal is considered a pioneer of liberal drug policies, tourists and locals should be aware that cannabis remains a legal grey area in practice. The consumption of small amounts may be decriminalised, but public smoking or possession of more than the permitted amount can quickly lead to consequences.

For tourists, street dealing in popular areas such as Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve is a particular risk. Dealers openly advertise cannabis, but the purchase remains illegal and is often of inferior quality or laced with other substances. If you want to be on the safe side, you should never take advantage of such offers.

Another important point is that consumption in public can also attract attention. Although Portugal is often perceived as relaxed, the police and security forces are not squeamish about obvious offences. A responsible approach to the law is therefore crucial in order to avoid legal problems.

Cannabis in the medical sector in Portugal

In contrast to recreational use, cannabis has been legal for medical purposes in Portugal since 2018. Patients can be prescribed cannabis-based products, but only under strict conditions and for specific conditions. These include chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and some types of cancer. The drugs may only be dispensed on prescription in authorised pharmacies.

Access to medicinal cannabis however, is not as easy as it sounds. There are only a few authorised products on the market and doctors are often reluctant to prescribe them. In addition, the cost of medical cannabis is high, making it difficult for many patients to finance treatment in the long term.

There is a clear restriction for travellers: prescriptions from other countries are not recognised in Portugal. Anyone who is dependent on medicinal cannabis should obtain detailed information before travelling and consider possible alternatives. Overall, it is clear that although Portugal is taking steps towards wider acceptance of cannabis, access remains heavily regulated.

Cannabis clubs and shops: Do they exist in Portugal?

In contrast to countries such as Spain, where cannabis Social Clubs are widespread, Portugal remains cautious in this respect. There are no officially recognised Cannabis-Clubs or coffee shops that provide access to cannabis for recreational use. Nevertheless, there are always reports of unofficial clubs or private groups whose status is legally uncertain.

What you should know about cannabis clubs and shops in Portugal:

• No official cannabis clubs: Unlike in Spain, there is no legal basis for social clubs in Portugal. Unofficial groups can exist, but they operate in a grey area.
• No coffee shops like in the Netherlands: Sale and consumption in such establishments remain prohibited in Portugal.
• Medicinal cannabis only available in pharmacies: Patients with a valid prescription can only purchase authorised cannabis products in licensed pharmacies.
• Avoid street vendors: The quality is unreliable and the purchase remains illegal.

Anyone looking for legal access to cannabis must limit themselves to the medical sector. Recreational users, on the other hand, should be aware that the sale and use of cannabis remains highly regulated in Portugal.

Conclusion: What you should know about cannabis in Portugal

Portugal's drug policy follows a globally recognised approach that focuses on prevention and health. The decriminalisation of possession of small quantities is an important step towards not criminalising users, but the recreational use of cannabis remains illegal. For purchase and consumption, this means that Portugal is not a paradise for cannabis users, despite its progressive stance. Those who are not familiar with the local laws risk legal consequences - especially when buying on the black market.

For those who would like to find out more about cannabis products and their use, we provide further information. Find out more on our Startseite more about the topic or discover high-quality Cannabisblüten and the matching Cannabis-Zubehör in our shop.

Developments in Portugal remain exciting. Discussions about full legalisation are ongoing and public opinion could favour changes in the future. Whether for recreational or medical use, Portugal remains an example of how drug policy can focus on people rather than punishment.