In January 2018, two political parties (Bloco de Esquerada and PAN) submitted a draft law to parliament. This wasn`t just advocating the use of prescription medical cannabis; It has also been suggested to legalize the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, provided that the THC content is minimal. Due to its decriminalization, Portuguese laws allow cannabis users to possess and consume marijuana, provided that the amount does not exceed the need for their personal consumption for a period of about ten days. In other words, if you only transport small quantities, you have no legal consequences. In quantitative terms, anyone found with less than 25 grams of cannabis flowers or 5 grams of hashish will not face criminal penalties. Hopefully, Portugal can follow in North America`s footsteps and legalize cannabis cultivation for patients who want to grow their own. Cannabis has been shown to have several healing properties, ranging from pain relief, to stress reduction, according to High Times and Unilad, to supporting Alzheimer`s disease, epilepsy and other nervous disorders, explained MoGreenway Magazine and the National Institutes of Health. Cannabis is not lethal with few side effects for adults, meaning that the legalisation of medical and recreational cannabis in the EU is a matter of `when`, not `if`. With the adoption of recreational cannabis, Portugal will continue to prove that it has what it takes to be the epicentre of cannabis in Europe, a leading company that other countries will follow and be home to the EU`s largest and most innovative producers. No, it`s not legal here. It`s decriminalized, which means you won`t go to jail or get into serious trouble for it. No, drugs (like cannabis) are decriminalized in Portugal, but that doesn`t mean they`re legal. In practice, this means you`re unlikely to go to jail for possession, but it doesn`t mean you can legally buy drugs.
There are no pharmacies anywhere in Portugal. It is decriminalized, not legalized. This aspect of the law was not passed and, to this day, cannabis cultivation remains illegal. The sale of cultivation tools and equipment is also prohibited; However, the production and sale of industrial hemp products is legal with a license. Thank you for your question. That`s right, even Cannabis Social Clubs are still technically illegal. In a previous article, I looked into whether weed is legal in Portugal. Long story short: this is not the case. It is decriminalized, which is not the same as being legal. I am Portuguese and you did not mention any important points concerning the decriminalisation of drugs.
It is not intended to help consumption in any way, on the contrary. Addicts were simply no longer seen as criminals, but as sick people who need help, because addiction is a disease and it would be unfair to punish someone who cannot control their own body. This has actually done much to reduce illicit drug trafficking, disease transmission (because nurses and health professionals have begun to give addicts controlled doses of the drugs they depend on to help control their addiction), and the number of addicts is increasingly decreasing. It is actually one of the lowest in Europe. With their liberal and progressive stance on cannabis use, there is great hope that full legality may be on the country`s horizon. As we know, personal cannabis use is no longer a crime, and as more parts of the country become familiar with the idea of using marijuana for medical purposes, Portugal is expected to follow the lead of countries like Canada and Uruguay, where the plant has been fully legalized. With an almost ideal climate for cannabis cultivation, the potential for the country to legalize and significantly promote its economy will certainly prove attractive to the Portuguese government in the coming years. Cannabis is decriminalized in Portugal following the decriminalization of all drugs in Portugal in 2001.
The medical use of cannabis was legalized in 2018. The decriminalization of the cultivation of cannabis for personal use was mentioned when the Drug Act was ratified. Nevertheless, the idea was abandoned. Cultivation therefore remains illegal, as does the sale of tools and other accessories. However, it is possible to obtain a license to have the right to sell products made from industrial hemp. Today, if the person is caught in possession or using a small amount of drugs for personal use, they are assessed by the local Drug Deterrence Board. It consists of three civil servants – one a lawyer, the other two doctors, psychologists, social workers or sociologists. The aim is to check whether treatment is needed to combat drug addiction. However, despite its decriminalization for recreational users, it remains illegal to grow, sell, possess or consume cannabis in Portugal, except for medical purposes. Nevertheless, anyone in possession of recreational marijuana will not be prosecuted unless the amount exceeds 25 g.
In addition, medical cannabis was legalized in Portugal in 2018. However, only those with cannabis licenses can obtain medical marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries and dispensaries. CBD is in a gray area from a legal perspective. In fact, in Portugal, the marketing of CBD is classified as a prohibited activity by the authorities, as CBD must be treated as a controlled substance as a substance extracted from the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant (and not from the stems and seeds). Therefore, the plant can only be used in accordance with the rules on the cultivation and placing on the market of controlled substances (i.e. mainly for medical purposes). The Portuguese legal framework is defined by Law No 33/2018 of 18 July 2018 and Legislative Decree No 8/2019 of 15 January on the use of medicinal products, preparations and substances based on the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes, the establishment of their principles and objectives, as well as the regulation and monitoring of activities related to the use of the cannabis plant for medical purposes.