Cannabis which is also known as marijuana or weed is a substance that’s derived from a plant called cannabis sativa. This substance can be used for several purposes, including health, recreational and economical, thanks to its unique characteristics and effects. Weed is a psychotropic substance that offers advantages and disadvantages in equal measure. It offers health, economic and life-improving benefits as well as setbacks in equal parts.
For a very long time, the society has focused on marijuana disadvantages alone as opposed to everything. It has notably ignored the advantages of this psychotropic substance until just recently. Due to the negative publicity, marijuana use has been banned in many countries around the world for decades. However, going by the recent developments, it seems that many countries are beginning to have a positive attitude towards cannabis. The following countries have recently legalized weed;
1. Canada
Although in Canada cannabis usage is legal for medicinal purposes only, the nation could soon allow its citizens and residents to use weed for purposes other than this. There is currently a bill in parliament seeking to decriminalize weed usage for none medicinal purposes. The bill is at an advanced stage, and sources indicate that its likely to pass.
2. Some US States
Although marijuana usage remains an illegal activity except for medicinal and research purposes in many US states, there a few states that have completely legalized it no matter the purpose. The states where weed usage is completely legal are Alaska, Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washing and Washington DC. It is highly likely that other states could soon follow suit.
3. Argentina
In Argentina, weed is partially legal, depending on the purpose. While it is legal to use weed for medicinal purposes here, you could be put behind bars for using the substance for purposes other than this.The sentence for illegal weed usage is often between 1 and six years.
4. North Korea
Did you know that you can do weed in North Korea without getting arrested? Despite being a totalitarian state with strict laws and harsh sentences, North Korea has a very positive attitude towards cannabis. It is completely legal to do weed in this jurisdiction.
5. Australia
In Australia, marijuana is legal for medicinal and scientific purposes. However, some parts of Australia such as Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and South Australia have gone a step further to decriminalize cannabis for personal use.
6. Austria
Austria is one of the few countries that have recently changed their laws regarding cannabis usage. The Eastern European country decriminalized marijuana for personal use two years ago. It’s still illegal to grow marijuana or sell marijuana within the jurisdiction though.
Conclusion
These are some of the countries where cannabis usage is entirely or partially legal. Places where marijuana use is entirely legal to include North Korea, the US states above, the Australian territories above, and Austria. The rest allow weed usage for medicinal and research purposes only. Many other countries could also soon review and change their laws regarding marijuana.
