Am I allowed to use cannabis in Norway?
No — using, possessing, selling and growing cannabis are illegal in Norway. Cannabis is a listed narcotic. Use and minor possession are punished under the Medicines Act and bring a fine or up to 6 months prison. All dealing, production and import fall under Penal Code §231 (up to 2 years), and serious cases under §232 (up to 10 years). CBD extracted from the cannabis plant counts as a narcotic regardless of THC content — Norway does not apply the EU 0.2% threshold. CBD is lawful only as a prescription medicine. A proposed decriminalisation was rejected in parliament in 2021.
📋 The rules
- Cannabis is a narcotic — use, possession and sale are illegal
- Use/minor possession: fine or up to 6 months prison
- Sale, production, import: Penal Code §231, up to 2 years
- Serious drug offence (§232): up to 10 years
- CBD from the plant = narcotic regardless of THC content
🔓 Exceptions
- Medical cannabis (Sativex, Epidyolex) can be prescribed
- Supreme Court 2022: heavily drug-dependent people are not punished for minor user doses
- The 2021 decriminalisation reform was rejected in parliament
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Ordinary users get a fine, which is recorded. Sale and smuggling are punished under Penal Code §231 (up to 2 years) up to §232 (up to 10 years, very large amounts up to 15). A 2025 reform on a no-record charge is not yet in force.
📎 Official sources
- Medicines Act §31 · Lovdata →
- Penal Code §231 · Lovdata →
- Medical Products Agency · CBD and the rules →
❓ Frequently asked
Is it punishable just to have used cannabis?
Yes. Use and minor possession are punished with a fine or up to 6 months prison.
Is CBD legal in Norway?
Only as a prescription medicine. CBD extracted from the cannabis plant counts as a narcotic regardless of THC content.
What is the penalty for a small amount?
Usually a fine, but up to 6 months prison is possible. Heavily drug-dependent people are generally not punished for user doses.
Is medical cannabis allowed?
Only on prescription. Sativex and Epidyolex can be prescribed by a doctor; other products need a special exemption.
Was cannabis decriminalised in Norway?
No. The drug reform proposing decriminalisation was rejected in parliament in 2021.
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