Is Weed Legal in Sweden? (April 2024)

Cannabis is legal in Sweden, but restricted to medical use. For the longest time, Sweden has maintained  very restrictive cannabis laws compared to the rest of Europe. However, things seem to be taking a different turn as last year, the Nordic country held the very first the Stockholm Medical Cannabis Conference (SMCC 2022) which was hosted at the Clarion Hotel on May 27th.

About Sweden

Sweden, just like Norway, is a Scandinavian country in northern Europe and is the largest country in the nordic region. It is known for its numerous forests, inland lakes, and coastal islands. It has a developed economy and has diplomatic relationships with almost all countries in the world, as a net exporter. Fun fact about Sweden; it imports waste from its neighbor Norway!

Medical Cannabis in Sweden

Medical cannabis was legalized in Sweden but the program did not quite take off. It took five years for the first two patients to receive medical cannabis from Dutch medical cannabis providers Bedrocan. Medical cannabis is available in Sweden in the form of Sativex and Dronabinol. Consumption of cannabis flower medicinally can only be approved by the Swedish Medical Products Agency. However, the program is still very restrictive and most patients find it difficult to access medical cannabis prescriptions.

Is Cannabis Decriminalized in Sweden?

No, Sweden has not decriminalized the use of cannabis. Possession of small amounts for personal consumption will attract a fine or imprisonment of up to six months. Possession of larger amounts of cannabis is considered to be a narcotic drug offense and is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years.

Is Hemp Legal in Sweden?

Yes, hemp is legal in Sweden. Industrial hemp, defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC according to the revised EU standards, is exempted from the narcotic control laws.

Is CBD Legal in Sweden?

Yes, hemp-derived CBD is legal in Sweden. In Sweden, CBD products should have zero THC to be considered as legal. In June 2019, Sweden’s Supreme Court ruled on a case involving the possession of ‘hemp- derived CBD oil. The THC concentration in this oil was not determined and hence the court ruled that it contained a narcotic (THC). The accused was therefore charged with the possession of a controlled substance. 

Can I Grow Cannabis in Sweden?

It is illegal to cultivate cannabis in Sweden. However, personal cultivation for medical use is considered to be a minor drug offense. 

Will Sweden Legalize Recreational Cannabis?

Despite Sweden’s strict cannabis laws, the Nordic country has a large illicit market for cannabis. According to a 2014 report the number of cannabis consumers in Sweden is higher than that in Portugal which decriminalized cannabis in 2001. Another study which was published in 2021 found that the conversation around legalizing cannabis has peaked in the last few years. It appears that Sweden legalizing cannabis is a matter of when and not if.