We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Strains & products
  • Industry
  • Growing
  • Health
  • Science & tech
  • Leafly USA
  • Podcasts
  • Learn
Politics

Europe Update: The Latest Cannabis News From the Continent

Lukas HurtPublished on July 9, 2016 · Last updated July 28, 2020

Czech Republic

The Czech Patient Association for Cannabis Treatment (KOPAC) organized the first-ever educational cannabis seminars for medical professionals, patients, and the general public. The aim of the event, which took place last month, was to spread knowledge about the medical potential of cannabis the plant among doctors, nurses, and patients who may benefit from its use. The central European country legalized medical cannabis on paper more than three years ago, but as a practical matter it’s still widely unavailable to patients. The seminars took place in the city of Olomouc and in the Czech capital Prague, with lectures by a government adviser, a patient, and a manager of one of the handful of pharmacies that dispense cannabis to patients. Currently fewer than 20 pharmacies across the country offer medical cannabis.

Poland

Cannabis activists managed to attract the attention of new deputy Minister of Health Krzystof Łandą, meeting with him at the end of June to discuss the possible benefits of medical cannabis for Polish patients. According to Jakub Gajewski, director of Polish legalization group Wolne Konopie, the new conservative government is doing a number of things that cannabis activists don’t agree with, although the deputy minister does seem to be more open to easing cannabis restrictions than his predecessor. It’s even possible Poland could begin cultivation cannabis for export to other countries. A new drug policy project demanding a parliamentary discussion about medical cannabis was launched last month. If the aim of at least 100,000 signatures is reached, parliament will be forced to debate the subject.

Which Country Leads Europe in Cannabis Consumption?

Hungary

An inaugural medical cannabis conference took place in the Hungarian capital of Budapest on June 1, demonstrating the growing interest in the therapeutic use of the plant among central European countries. Experts from the U.S., the Czech Republic, and Israel shared their experiences with the audience and discussed possible ways of folding cannabis treatments into mainstream medicine.

Croatia

Croatia made world news at the beginning of June with the announcement of the first-ever import from North America to the European Union of cannabis extracts containing THC and other cannabinoids. Medical experts welcomed the agreement between Canadian company Tilray and the Croatian government. Still, some activists and patients have called the groundbreaking deal unnecessary, pointing out that Croatians are perfectly capable of growing their own cannabis for medicinal purposes and don’t need to import extracts from overseas. [Editor’s note: Tilray and Leafly are both owned by Privateer Holdings.]

Croatia Makes Medical Cannabis History. How Did It Happen?

Serbia

June saw a number of patient and activist demonstrations as more and more people in the Balkan countries discover the therapeutic effects of the plant, especially of cannabis oil made according to the Rick Simpson method. https://www.leafly.ca/learn/consume/smoke

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries

Macedonia

Health Minister Nikola Todorov announced June 13 that pharmacies can now sell cannabis extracts without prescription. But there’s a catch: Extracts may not contain over 0.2 percent THC. The change will nevertheless ease restrictions on high-CBD concentrates.

Greece

Thirty-six members of Parliament from the Syriza government party have officially asked Health Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis to revise current laws in order to allow the legalization of medical cannabis products that contain THC.

Why Cannabis-Growing Techniques Differ So Much Between the U.S. and Europe

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
cbdcroatiaczech republicEuropeGreeceHungarylegalizationmacedoniaPolandserbiaTHC
Lukas Hurt
Lukas Hurt
Lukas Hurt is Leafly’s central and eastern Europe correspondent. Originally from a small town outside Prague, he studied history and English at university. After a stint as a bartender in Ireland, he returned to his home country in 2010, where he now works as a translator, journalist, and editor focusing on cannabis issues. He has advocated for patients and recreational consumers, publishing articles and translating books and scientific studies. He is one of the main contributors to the highly popular Czech cannabis magazine Legalizace.
View Lukas Hurt's articles

The latest in Politics

  • How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products image
    How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products
    Leafly Staff
  • Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers image
    Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers
    David Downs
  • Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025 image
    Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025
    David Downs
  • Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0 image
    Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0
    David Downs
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.