Many people ask, ‘Is cannabis legal in Argentina?’ or ‘Is weed legal in Argentina?’ The answer is yes, but only partially. The country has made notable strides in cannabis regulation, particularly in the medical and industrial sectors.
Argentina is now a regional leader in cannabis regulation, maintaining progressive medical and industrial policies alongside severe restrictions on recreational consumption.
By 2025, the country’s scheme will emphasize scientific research, economic development, and patient access while preserving distinct legal lines.
Legal Status of Cannabis in Argentina (2025)
Argentina’s cannabis laws in 2025 reflect a nuanced approach, balancing medical accessibility, industrial innovation, and strict recreational controls. Below is a breakdown of the current legal framework:
1. Recreational Use
Recreational cannabis is still illegal in Argentina. Under Law 23.737, possession of amounts intended for personal use is decriminalized, though public use, distribution, and unlicensed sale can lead to fines or criminal charges.
True to international drug control treaties, the government maintains that cautious position.
Argentina has no legal recreational marijuana. Law 23.737 decriminalizes possession of small amounts for personal use, but public consumption and other distribution or sales by unlicensed vendors can lead to fines or criminal charges.
The government maintains a cautious stance, aligning with international drug control treaties.
2. Medicinal Use
Cannabis for medical purposes is legal under Law 27.350 (2017) and expanded by Law 27.669 (2022). In Argentina, the production, distribution, and investigation are supervised by the Regulatory Agency for the Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis Industry (ARICCAME).
Patients prescribed cannabis oils, capsules, and other non-smokable forms can also be accessed through pharmacies even though domestic production is still ramping up. ARICCAME was granted the power to import cannabis in use in 2025 to make adequate supply available to patients nationally.
3. Industrial Use
Industrial hemp (defined as cannabis with ≤1% THC) is fully legal for textiles, biofuels, construction materials, and cosmetics.
The 2023 Decree 405 solidified this framework, positioning Argentina as a potential agricultural powerhouse.
Over 13 R&D projects across six provinces received $106 million in government funding to innovate hemp applications, from eco-friendly plastics to animal feed.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Argentina
Cannabis usage in Argentina spans recreational, medical, and industrial domains, each with distinct societal implications:
1. Recreational Drug Use
Despite decriminalization, recreational use remains stigmatized. Illicit markets persist, particularly in urban areas, but arrests have declined as enforcement shifts toward large-scale trafficking.
Public health campaigns emphasize the risks of unregulated products, linking high-THC cannabis to mental health issues like anxiety and psychosis.
2. Mental Health Concerns
There has been limited research into the effects of cannabis on mental health, however, the government also requires warning labels on medical products. ARICCAME works with the Health Ministry to track adverse effects, and the packaging of such products now sports QR codes so that they can be reported in real-time.
3. Industrial Cannabis Use
Hemp is reinvigorating rural economies. In 2024, Cannabis Conicet, a state-owned tech company, initiated pilot programs where tobacco in northern provinces was swapped out for hemp.
Its high yield (up to 10 tons per hectare) and low water consumption make it ideal for Argentina’s climate. Experts predict hemp exports could generate $500 million annually by 2030.
Cannabis Cultivation in Argentina
Licensed cultivation is tightly controlled. ARICCAME issues permits for:
- Medical/Research Growers: Pharma companies and universities.
- Industrial Hemp Farmers: Prioritizing small-to-medium farms with ≥50% female/trans leadership.
- Seed Producers: Certified by the National Seed Institute (INASE) to ensure THC compliance.
Unauthorized growing can lead to crop destruction, fines up to $50,000, and criminal charges.
Law and Control of Cannabis in Argentina
1. Enforcement Practices
ARICCAME collaborates with the National Gendarmerie, AFIP (tax authority), and ANMAT (health regulator) to inspect licensed facilities and track products via a blockchain-based traceability system. In 2024, 15 unlicensed farms were shut down, and 2,400 kg of illicit cannabis were seized.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
Black-market sales account for ~30% of cannabis consumption, driven by high medical product costs (e.g., a 30ml CBD oil bottle costs $120). Authorities counter this with subsidies for low-income patients and stricter penalties for traffickers.
Cannabis Penalties in Argentina
- Personal Use: Decriminalized for ≤5 grams. Larger amounts may incur fines or rehab mandates.
- Trafficking: 4–15 years imprisonment, depending on quantity.
- Unauthorized Cultivation: Fines up to $100,000 and license revocation.
In 2024, ARICCAME resolved 84% of violations through warnings, reserving harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Argentina
The government aims to:
- Expand medical access to include smokable cannabis for chronic pain by 2026.
- Boost hemp exports by joining the Mercosur hemp trade agreement.
- Invest $200 million in cannabis research by 2030, focusing on pediatric epilepsy and cancer.
Public opinion polls show that 58% support full recreational legalization, but lawmakers prioritize industrial and medical growth first.
In 5 years, Argentina’s cannabis landscape: a $1 billion+ industry in harmony with public health. As ARICCAME builds capacity for regulation and enforcement, the country has the potential to be a hemp powerhouse on the world stage, but recreational users face a moving gauntlet of restrictions.
To stay updated on questions like “Is weed legal in Argentina?” check ARICCAME’s official portal or the Ministry of Health for the latest regulations.
