Can I use or grow cannabis in Cyprus?
No — recreational cannabis remains illegal in Cyprus. Cannabis is a Class B controlled drug under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law (29/1977); use, possession, supply and cultivation are all criminal offences. A 2003 amendment set thresholds of 30 grams or 3 plants: below these the case is treated as personal-use possession (not supply) — but it remains an offence. Medical cannabis was legalised in 2019 but is dispensed only by licence/prescription. CBD is legal only if THC is at or below 0.2%. In short: no for recreational use.
📋 The rules
- Cannabis = Class B controlled drug
- Use, possession, cultivation: criminal offences
- Threshold 30 g or 3 plants = personal use (not supply)
- Medical cannabis: only by licence/prescription (since 2019)
- CBD legal only at/below 0.2% THC
🔓 Exceptions
- First-time offenders under 25: maximum 1 year imprisonment
- Licensed medical-cannabis patients / industrial-hemp growers
- CBD from abroad above 0.2% THC stays illegal
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Possession of a Class B drug carries a maximum of 8 years' imprisonment (rarely applied to small amounts, but it signals the seriousness). First offenders under 25 are capped at 1 year for personal-use possession. The quantity (30 g / 3-plant threshold) decides whether it's personal use or trafficking. Beware a myth: "Cyprus has decriminalised small amounts like some EU countries" is false — there's no decriminalised allowance; possession of any quantity remains an offence, and the 30 g / 3-plant figure only changes how the charge is categorised, not whether it's a crime.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Is cannabis legal in Cyprus?
No for recreational use. Cannabis is a Class B controlled drug, and use, possession, supply and cultivation are criminal offences. Only medical cannabis with a licence or prescription, and CBD products with THC at or below 0.2%, are legal.
What about small amounts?
A 2003 amendment set thresholds of 30 grams or 3 plants. Below these, the case is treated as personal-use possession rather than supply, but it remains a criminal offence. There is no decriminalisation as in some other countries.
Is medical cannabis allowed?
Yes, it was legalised in 2019 under a state-controlled framework. It's dispensed only by licence or prescription, not through open dispensaries. Licensed patients and industrial-hemp growers operate legally under separate state licences.
Is CBD legal?
CBD is legal only where the THC content is at or below 0.2%. Above that limit the product is illegal. Note: CBD bought abroad can be illegal in Cyprus if the THC exceeds 0.2%, regardless of its legality elsewhere.
What penalty do I risk for possession?
Possession of a Class B drug carries a maximum of 8 years' imprisonment, though for small amounts it rarely reaches that. First offenders under 25 are capped at 1 year for personal-use possession. The quantity decides whether the charge is personal use or trafficking.
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