Is Cannabis Legal In Latvia in 2025?
Cannabis is illegal in Latvia for recreational use, but medical cannabis is legal under strict conditions. Industrial hemp cultivation is permitted under regulated frameworks. Latvia enforces strict drug laws, with penalties for possession, use, trafficking, and cultivation of cannabis.
Recreational Use
- Prohibited or Decriminalized?: Recreational cannabis is fully prohibited in Latvia. Possession of cannabis is considered a criminal offense, though small-scale possession may result in reduced penalties.
- Penalties:
- Possession of small amounts (up to 1 gram) for personal use typically results in fines or warnings, especially for first-time offenders.
- Possession of larger quantities, trafficking, or cultivation can lead to imprisonment for up to 15 years, depending on the severity.
- Enforcement: Law enforcement is strict, particularly for trafficking and large-scale possession. However, minor offenses often result in administrative penalties rather than imprisonment.
Medical Use
- Legality: Medical cannabis has been legal in Latvia since 2018 under strict regulations.
- Access:
- Medical cannabis products containing THC and CBD are available through pharmacies but require a prescription from a licensed physician.
- Access is limited to patients with specific medical conditions, such as chronic pain or epilepsy, and the process is heavily regulated.
Industrial Hemp
- Permitted or Banned: Industrial hemp cultivation is legal in Latvia.
- Regulations:
- Hemp must contain less than 0.2% THC, in line with European Union regulations.
- Farmers must comply with licensing requirements and follow strict guidelines for cultivation and processing.
Cultural Attitudes
Cannabis use is stigmatized in Latvia, where it is often associated with criminal behavior. However, public opinion is gradually shifting, with increasing awareness of the medical benefits of cannabis. Advocacy for decriminalization and expanded medical access is slowly gaining traction.
Penalties and Enforcement
- Possession:
- Small-scale possession (up to 1 gram) typically results in fines or warnings, but repeat offenses or larger amounts can lead to criminal charges.
- Larger-scale possession or trafficking is treated as a serious offense, with harsh penalties, including imprisonment.
- Trafficking: Cannabis trafficking is a major crime, punishable by long-term imprisonment and heavy fines.
- Cultivation: Unauthorized cultivation of cannabis is illegal, with significant penalties. Licensed cultivation is restricted to industrial hemp.
Future Outlook
Latvia has made progress in medical cannabis legalization and industrial hemp regulation, but recreational cannabis legalization or decriminalization faces resistance from lawmakers and conservative societal norms. However, discussions around decriminalizing small-scale possession and expanding medical access are ongoing.
Key Takeaways
- Recreational Cannabis: Fully prohibited, with fines or warnings for small-scale possession and harsh penalties for trafficking or cultivation.
- Medical Cannabis: Legal, with access limited to patients with qualifying conditions and requiring strict medical supervision.
- Industrial Hemp: Legal, with regulations aligning with EU standards and licensing requirements.
- Penalties: Harsh penalties for trafficking and unauthorized cultivation; administrative fines for small-scale possession.
- Future Potential: Likely expansion of medical cannabis access and discussions on decriminalization, but recreational legalization remains unlikely in the short term.
