The European continent is currently home to the most countries that have adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. The South American continent has one (Uruguay); North America has one (Canada); and Africa has one (South Africa); Comparatively, four European nations have adopted national recreational legalization measures.

Malta became the first European country to adopt a national, adult-use cannabis legalization measure back in 2021, making Malta the third country to do so globally, only behind Uruguay and Canada. While many other European countries were expected to be the first to legalize, Malta ultimately holds that title. Malta was then followed by Luxembourg, which adopted its recreational cannabis legalization law in 2023. Luxembourg’s adult-use legalization model is inferior to Malta’s in various ways.

Germany approved its historic legalization measure in 2024. The German CanG law is widely considered to be the most significant cannabis policy modernization victory in Europe to date and ushered in a new era for the continent’s emerging cannabis industry and reform movement. Germany’s legalization model includes provisions for personal cultivation (three plants) and possession (50 grams), as well as cultivation associations and pilot trials. Malta’s model includes cultivation associations, but not pilot trials, and Luxembourg’s model includes neither cannabis legalization model components.

The Czech Republic became the most recent European nation to legalize cannabis for adult use when lawmakers approved a measure earlier this year. Czechia’s cannabis legalization model will permit adults to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences and possess up to 100 grams of cannabis. Czechia’s adult-use cannabis possession limit will be the greatest in Europe, although the Czech legalization model will not include cultivation associations or pilot trials, unfortunately. Recreational legalization will take effect in the Czech Republic on January 1, 2026.

Slovenia and Switzerland Predicted to Legalize Next

Now that four European countries have legalized cannabis for recreational use, the obvious question is ‘which country will be next?’ Lawmakers in several European nations are considering adult-use legalization measures, yet some proposals seem to have a better chance of being approved compared to others. The political reality is that just because a measure is proposed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be approved.

One European country that is at the top of most policy observers’ legalization list is Slovenia. Lawmakers in Slovenia introduced an adult-use legalization measure in July, mere days after the country’s National Assembly approved a landmark medical cannabis legalization measure. Some of the reported components of Slovenia’s proposed adult-use legalization law include:

• Four plants per adult, or six plants per multi-adult residences
• Possession of up to seven grams of cannabis in public
• Possession of up to 150 grams of cannabis in private residences, or 300 grams in multi-adult residences
• Gifting cannabis to other adults would be legal
• Employers would be prohibited from testing their employees for cannabis use

Last year, Slovenia’s voters approved both a medical cannabis referendum measure and an adult-use referendum measure. The vote on the adult-use measure received 51.57% approval from Slovenian voters. While the referendum vote was not legally binding, it did send a clear message to Slovenia’s lawmakers that a majority of Slovenia’s voters want a modernized approach to the nation’s cannabis laws.

Another European nation being watched closely by cannabis policy observers is Switzerland, where an adult-use legalization measure was introduced earlier this year. The measure received preliminary approval by Switzerland’s Social Security and Health Committee of the National Council in February. Below are components of what is being considered in Switzerland:

• Three plants per adult
• Sales would be taxed and subject to a state monopoly
• Vertical integration and advertising would be prohibited
• Penalties would be increased for “people who evade the legal market”

Switzerland’s proposed legalization model would permit adults to possess a personal amount of cannabis; however, a specific possession limit hasn’t been identified yet. According to a previous press release from Switzerland’s Social Security and Health Committee of the National Council, “maximum quantities for private and public possession apply,” but quantities were ultimately not specified.

A major factor working in Switzerland’s favor is that regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are already operating in the European country. Over two years after the first pilot trial launched in Switzerland, no major issues have been reported. Lawmakers in Switzerland can now use the data and insight gathered from the regional pilot trials to help them advocate for national legalization.

Europe remains the most exciting place on the planet for cannabis policy and industry. People who want to get in on the action are encouraged to attend the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Germany in April. It’s Europe’s largest and longest-running B2B cannabis conference. Leading policy and industry experts from both Slovenia and Switzerland will be in attendance, along with leaders from other top European markets. Many of them will be presenting the most-current information about Europe’s emerging cannabis laws and regulations through keynote presentations and panel discussions.

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Cannabis policy modernization efforts have gained steam in recent years in Slovenia, thanks to the hard work of local activists. A great example of increasing cannabis reform momentum in Slovenia can be found in the recent introduction of an adult-use cannabis legalization measure.

The recreational measure, which was introduced last month, would allow adults to cultivate and possess cannabis. The bill’s introduction came on the heels of lawmakers in the European nation approving a historic medical cannabis measure. Both measures were introduced by lawmakers after voters in Slovenia approved referendum measures in 2024.

On June 9, 2024, as part of the European Parliamentary election, voters in Slovenia decided on two cannabis-based referendum questions. The first measure asked voters, “Should the Republic of Slovenia allow the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes on its territory?”

Slovenian voters overwhelmingly approved the measure, with the referendum question receiving 66.71% approval. Every jurisdiction in Slovenia approved the measure, and the only other time a measure received approval in every jurisdiction in the European country was the vote for Slovenia’s independence in 1991.

As part of the June 9, 2024, vote in Slovenia, voters were also asked, “Should the Republic of Slovenia allow the cultivation and possession of cannabis for limited personal use on its territory?” The measure received majority support (51.57%) from voters.

The Most Progressive Cannabis Law in Europe

Lawmakers in Slovenia listened to the overwhelming majority of voters by adopting what is widely considered to be the most progressive medical cannabis law in Europe. The bill was approved in mid-July 2025 and legalizes the cultivation, production, distribution and use of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes.

Additionally, Slovenia’s medical cannabis law introduces a non-restrictive licensing system, tasks lawmakers with removing cannabis from the nation’s narcotics list within 90 days of the measure’s approval, and permits doctors to prescribe cannabis for any condition that the doctor deems appropriate.

New Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Measure Introduced

Within days of lawmakers approving the medical cannabis measure, Slovenian lawmakers also introduced an adult-use cannabis legalization measure. The measure, if approved, would permit adults in Slovenia to cultivate up to four plants in their private residences, possess up to 7 grams of cannabis when away from their homes, and possess up to 150 grams of cannabis in their homes. The private residence possession limit, if approved, would be the largest legal cannabis possession limit in Europe.

According to the measure, selling cannabis, driving under the influence and public consumption would all remain prohibited. The legislation would also prohibit employers in the European nation from testing their employees for cannabis. Adults gifting each other cannabis would be legal in Slovenia in certain circumstances, according to the proposal.

According to cannabis usage data from the European Union Drugs Agency’s 2025 report, an estimated 2.8% of adults in Slovenia have consumed cannabis within the last month; 5.4% have consumed cannabis at least once within the last year; and 22% of adults in Slovenia report having consumed cannabis at least once in their lifetime.

European Union Countries Updating Cannabis Policies

Slovenia is one of the growing number of European Union countries modernizing their cannabis policies and regulations. Malta became the first EU nation to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2021. Adults in Malta can cultivate up to four cannabis plants in their private residences and possess up to 50 grams of cannabis.

Luxembourg became the second country in the European Union to legalize recreational cannabis for adults nationwide in 2023. Luxembourg’s model is the least progressive of the current legal countries in Europe, with adults being able to possess up to 3 grams of cannabis despite being permitted to cultivate up to 4 plants in their private residences.

In April 2024, Germany adopted what is, by many measures, the most significant national legalization measure not only in Europe, but also throughout the world. Germany’s model allows adults to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences and possess up to 50 grams of cannabis.

Lastly, Czechia’s national government approved recreational cannabis legalization earlier this year. Starting on January 1, 2026, Czech adults will be allowed to cultivate up to three plants in their homes and possess up to 100 grams of cannabis.

Europe is currently the most exciting place on the planet for cannabis policy and industry, and if/when Slovenia adopts its version of adult-use legalization, it will further add to the continent’s momentum. You can learn more about European cannabis policy and industry at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin from April 14-15, 2026. 

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