27/01/2026
Global Cannabis Market Development: A Comprehensive Overview
How Cannabis a Helping Herb, Helping Millions Live Healthier and Happier Lives.
List of Countries Around The World that Has Legalize Cannabis
The global cannabis market is experiencing unprecedented growth and diversification, with countries at vastly different stages of regulatory development.
Based on current market data, here’s an analysis of distribution channel maturity worldwide.
Market Leaders: Established Markets
Canada 🇨🇦 stands as the gold standard for cannabis legalization, with both medical and recreational programs fully operational.
Exporting over 229,623 kg annually, with domestic production at 2.2M kg, Canada demonstrates a mature 5-year CAGR of 12%. The country supports all distribution channels: medical, recreational, pharmaceutical, and domestic production.
United States maintains the world’s largest cannabis market at $4.581 billion, with over 200,000 producers. Despite federal prohibition, state-level programs show 0% 5-year CAGR, indicating market stabilization.
The U.S. 🇺🇸 operates robust medical, recreational, and pharmaceutical channels.
Portugal 🇵🇹 has developed a significant import market (17,230 kg) alongside domestic production of 34,400 kg, with an impressive 18% 5-year CAGR, reflecting rapid expansion in its medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Israel, 🇮🇱 a pioneer in medical cannabis research, imports 24,500 kg while producing 51,750 kg domestically. With a 19% 5-year CAGR, Israel maintains strong medical, pharmaceutical, and domestic production channels.
Germany 🇩🇪 represents Europe’s largest import market at 160,000 kg, with a production quota of 2,660 kg. The 18% 5-year CAGR reflects Germany’s expanding medical market dominance across medical, pharmaceutical, and import channels.
Australia 🇦🇺 imports 77,408 kg with domestic production of 41,128 kg and total production capacity of 43,168 kg. An 18% 5-year CAGR indicates robust growth in medical, pharmaceutical, and domestic markets.
Maturing Markets: Significant Growth Potential
Poland shows strong import activity (11,000 kg) with a 20% 5-year CAGR, focusing on medical and pharmaceutical distribution.
New Zealand 🇳🇿 offers 312 product types with a 30% 5-year CAGR, representing one of the fastest-growing medical markets globally.
Thailand hosts 69 producers with a 25% 5-year CAGR, having recently liberalized its cannabis policies for medical and traditional medicine use.
United Kingdom 🇬🇧 imports 23,312 kg with a modest 20% 5-year CAGR, maintaining strict medical-only access through pharmaceutical channels.
Colombia 🇨🇴 exports 6,774 kg with a 30% 5-year CAGR, positioning itself as a major supplier for international pharmaceutical markets.
Switzerland has 140,116 CBD patients with a 20% 5-year CAGR, focusing heavily on medical and pharmaceutical distribution with emerging cannabis market allowances.
Czech Republic 🇨🇿 imports 1,340 kg with a 25% 5-year CAGR in its established medical program.
South Africa 🇿🇦 produces domestically with 1.4M kg output and a 25% 5-year CAGR, having decriminalized personal use while developing commercial frameworks.
Emerging Markets: Early Development
Countries like France, North Macedonia, Netherlands, Ukraine, Greece, Brazil, Argentina, Denmark, Spain, and Lesotho have initiated medical cannabis programs with varying degrees of regulatory development.
These markets show limited but growing distribution channels, primarily focused on medical and pharmaceutical access.
Limited Markets: Nascent Programs
The “Limited” category includes Luxembourg, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Uruguay, Lebanon, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Receso.
These nations have established basic regulatory frameworks, typically allowing limited medical access, imports, or domestic production on a restricted basis.
Countries with Full Cannabis Legalization
Recreational + Medical (Full Legalization):
1. Canada - Full recreational and medical since 2018
2. Uruguay - First country to fully legalize in 2013
3. Malta - Full legalization in 2021
4. Luxembourg - Legalized adult-use cultivation and possession in 2023
5. Germany - Full legalization implemented April 2024
Medical Legalization Only (Comprehensive Programs):
∙ United States (38 states + DC - state level)
∙ Australia 🇦🇺
∙ Israel
∙ Netherlands (de facto tolerance)
∙ Portugal (decriminalized all drugs, medical program)
∙ Switzerland
∙ United Kingdom
∙ Poland
∙ Czech Republic
∙ Denmark
∙ Italy
∙ Greece
∙ Thailand 🇹🇭
∙ South Africa (personal use decriminalized)
∙ Colombia
∙ Brazil
∙ Argentina
∙ Mexico
∙ Chile
∙ New Zealand
∙ France (limited medical)
∙ Spain (private clubs tolerated)
∙ Jamaica
∙ Lebanon
∙ Cyprus
∙ Ecuador
∙ North Macedonia
Key Market Insights
The cannabis industry shows clear geographic concentration, with North America and Europe leading in market maturity.
The 5-year CAGR figures reveal that emerging markets (20-30% growth) are expanding faster than established ones (12-18%), suggesting a global shift toward normalization.
Medical markets dominate globally, but recreational legalization remains limited to a handful of progressive nations.
The pharmaceutical channel is becoming increasingly important, with standardized cannabis medicines gaining acceptance even in conservative markets.
The distinction between import-dependent markets (Germany, UK, Poland) and export-oriented producers (Canada, Colombia, Lesotho) highlights emerging international trade dynamics that will shape the industry’s future.
This market landscape continues evolving rapidly, with regulatory changes expected across multiple jurisdictions in 2025 and beyond.
Disclaimer: All shared content is for Awareness, Academic, and Discussion Purposes Only.
This page does not provide Medical Advice, Endorse Specific Treatments and/or Substances.
Most Up to Date News - Scientific Summaries on Beneficial Botanicals : Fungi For People and Planet
Viewers Discretion is Advised
Join Growing Community Raising Awareness, Increase Educational Capacity, and High iQ-uality Discussions Here ⬇️
Green Culture Labs co., Ltd
Green Culture Labs co., Ltd
——————————————————
Truong M Nguyen
Truong M Nguyen