Can I use cannabis in Portugal?
No: recreational cannabis is decriminalized, but not legal. Law 30/2000 decriminalized possession and use of drugs for personal use — it became an administrative offence (handled by the CDT, the drug-deterrence commission), not a crime. But selling, growing for sale or trafficking remains a crime (Decree-Law 15/93). The "personal use" limit is a 10-day supply: about 25 g of flower, 5 g of hashish, 2.5 g of oil — above that it can be reclassified as a crime. Medical cannabis is legal (Law 33/2018) but only by prescription, dispensed in pharmacies. CBD is in a grey zone (EU Novel Food rules). In short: decriminalized isn't legalized.
📋 The rules
- Personal-use possession: administrative offence (CDT), not a crime
- Selling/growing/trafficking: still a crime (DL 15/93)
- Personal-use limit: a 10-day supply (~25 g flower)
- Medical cannabis: legal only by prescription (Law 33/2018)
- CBD: grey zone (Novel Food)
🔓 Exceptions
- Medical cannabis by prescription, dispensed in pharmacies
- Hemp <0.2% THC: tolerated but grey
- Above the 10-day supply: can be treated as a crime
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Personal use within the limit leads to modest administrative measures by the CDT: a reduced fine or non-pecuniary measures (warning, ban from places, community service); dependents are steered to treatment. Above the 10-day supply or for selling/growing/trafficking, it becomes a crime, with prison. Beware a myth: "cannabis is legal in Portugal" — false; it's only decriminalized for personal use. Don't confuse it with Spain's cannabis clubs, which don't exist in Portugal. To stay compliant: the only legal route is medical cannabis by prescription from a pharmacy; recreational use is never "allowed", just not a crime within strict limits.
📎 Official sources
- Law 30/2000 — decriminalization →
- INFARMED — medical cannabis (Law 33/2018) →
- SICAD — addictive behaviours →
❓ Frequently asked
Is cannabis legal in Portugal?
No. It's decriminalized, not legalized. Possession and use for personal use are an administrative offence handled by the CDT, not a crime, but selling, growing for sale or trafficking remain a crime. It's a common myth that "cannabis is legal in Portugal".
How much can I have for personal use?
The personal-use limit is a 10-day supply: about 25 g of flower, 5 g of hashish or 2.5 g of oil. Within this limit it's treated as an administrative offence. Above it, it can be reclassified as a crime of trafficking or possession for sale.
What happens if I'm caught using?
You're referred to the drug-deterrence commission (CDT), which applies administrative measures: a reduced fine or non-pecuniary measures, such as a warning or community service. If there's dependency, the focus is treatment, not punishment.
Is medical cannabis allowed?
Yes, but only by prescription. Law 33/2018 and Decree-Law 8/2019 regulate cannabis for medical purposes, under INFARMED, dispensed only in pharmacies. There's no free over-the-counter route for recreational purposes.
Can I buy CBD products freely?
It's a grey zone. INFARMED tends to treat CBD as a medicinal substance, and EU Novel Food rules make it hard to sell as a food. Hemp products under 0.2% THC are tolerated, but the legal framework isn't clear.
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