Medical cannabis has been legal since 2018, allowing doctors to prescribe it for specific conditions. While cannabis was classified as a narcotic in 1951, and its possession became a crime in 1997, Poland rejected proposals to legalize it for either medical or recreational use in 2016.
Czech Republic: This country has a more progressive stance on medical marijuana use. In the Czech Republic, cannabis is legal for medical use but not recreational use. Medical cannabis has been legal since April 1, 2013, and a doctor can prescribe up to 180 grams (6 ounces) per month. While the law still prohibits recreational use, it decriminalized personal possession on January 1, 2010.
Hungary: Hungary has a strong prohibition stance when it comes to cannabis. Hungary treats cannabis as illegal, including for medical use, and classifies it the same as heroin under the law. This means using cannabis has the same legal consequences as using heroin.
The law prohibits both the use and distribution of cannabis, with harsher penalties for distribution than for personal use. Cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Single Convention treaty, meaning their government considers it highly addictive and at serious risk for abuse. While countries can allow medical use of Schedule I drugs, Hungary does not permit cannabis for any purpose.
Italy: Medical cannabis is legal in Italy, but regulations are complex. In Italy, doctors may prescribe approved cannabis-based medicines, but the government heavily regulates medical cannabis use. While the law decriminalizes recreational use, authorities treat small personal possession as a civil infraction. If another country authorizes a cannabis-based medicine not approved in Italy, doctors must request special permission to import it.
Although recreational cannabis isn’t available for sale, some companies sell low-THC cannabis products under industrial cannabis laws. These products are marketed with a “not for human use” warning and cannot be smoked, as they are intended for industrial purposes only.
Portugal: In Portugal, cannabis is legal for medical use. Medical cannabis became legal in July 2018 and is available at pharmacies. Portugal decriminalized cannabis in 2001, so possessing enough for personal use isn’t considered a crime. However, exceeding that limit could lead to fines or other charges.
Portugal’s climate and lower labor costs have made it a popular spot for cannabis cultivation, and many growers obtain licenses to take advantage of this. Despite decriminalization, cannabis use has been rising, and the country typically has more moderate to heavy cannabis users than other European nations.
The country has implemented an electronic prescription system to make it easier for patients to access their medication, though options remain limited. Right now, most medical cannabis products are in flower form, with tinctures being harder to find.
Of course, there are different types of cannabis with various uses, and each of these different types and uses can be legally regulated in unique ways. We’ll break down everything that you need to know about cannabis in Ireland, including recreational and medicinal cannabis.
In one sentence, recreational cannabis is not legal in Ireland. Ireland’s National Police and Security Service website explains, “It is an offense to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply and possess cannabis except [following] a Ministerial Licence.”
The National Police and Security Service website carves out this difference: “CBD is derived from cannabis. However, since it is not psychoactive, it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, and does not require a Ministerial Licence.” This means that you may be able to access non-psychoactive CBD products recreationally in Ireland.
As is the case in many nations, there is more flexibility with medical cannabis. However, it is still quite limited. While there has not been an all-encompassing legalization of medical cannabis, the use of medical cannabis can be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Minister of Health.
In 2016, two-year-old toddler Tristan Forde was granted permission to be treated with cannabis oil for his epilepsy. Remarkably, his seizures “virtually stopped” since he began treatment with the cannabis oil. Tristan was also the first person in the country to receive this treatment license!
A very recent article from February 2025 also points to more medical cannabis prescriptions. Specifically, the Irish Examiner summarizes, “Neurologists in Ireland have revealed they are prescribing cannabis-based medicines for symptoms such as pain and spasticity in their patients.”
Sophia Gibson, a seven-year-old girl, was given a long-term license to utilize cannabis oil for her epilepsy treatment. Specifically, she was suffering from Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that led to “frequent and dangerous fits.” According to her mother, the cannabis oil dramatically reduced the number of epileptic fits that Sophia was experiencing.
Sophia’s mother also spoke about how difficult the process was to obtain this license. Her journey included first going to the Netherlands to try and receive treatment. She said, “This decision is a life-changer and a life-saver for Sophia. But no family should have to fight this hard for this long to achieve something that obviously has a benefit. The fight has been exhausting, but the relief is immense.”
The amount of work and time that Sophia and her family had to put in to receive this approval, as well as the severity of Sophia’s condition, both demonstrate how difficult and strict the licensing for medical cannabis is in Ireland.
The government’s official statement is that recreational cannabis will not be legalized. The National Police and Security Service website made this clear by stating that, “The Government has no plans to legalize cannabis.” For this reason, it is reasonable to assume that there will not be many major changes soon.
Best Weed DispensaryOn the other hand, there are also signs pointing to an expansion of cannabis usage in Ireland. In 2023, for example, Northern Ireland’sfirst legal cannabis vaping lounge opened. However, this is entirely medical cannabis only, not recreational. As political changes take place, so too might changes in cannabis policy.
Although recreational cannabis is not legal in Ireland, some medical cannabis is, with more cases and opportunities being approved in recent years. Ultimately, there is very little to suggest that recreational cannabis will be made legal soon, but there is a promising change for medical cannabis.
Cannabis is an indulgence that has piqued the curiosity of millions of people worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that there are 147 million global consumers. However, Statista researchers pin the number of global weed consumers at 219 million! As legalization continues to paint the world map green, more people are introducing marijuana as a staple ingredient in their daily routines. This means that there are a lot of people out there looking high.
A cannabis “high” is the term used to describe the mind-altering journey that people venture on after indulging in psychotropic compounds, aka “cannabinoids.” One such example is tetrahydrocannabinol THC, which can be detected as a metabolite in the system for some time after getting high (i.e. THC-COOH). While it’s not necessary to slip into a state of bliss to reap the plant’s benefits, cannabis’s psychoactive element, THC, sure does present consumers with some therapeutic enjoyment.
Although many people seek the feeling of getting high when choosing a weed strain, looking high is not always ideal. Not to worry, because we’ve compiled a list of hacks on how to hide your high to help you maintain a fresh face ahead of a family gathering or social outing.
Once THC enters the bloodstream, passes the blood-brain barrier, and binds to CB1 receptors, the high kicks in. Remember that the rate at which a high kicks in depends on the method of consumption. Activation can emerge seconds after dabbing concentrates, minutes after inhaling smoke from a joint, or one hour or more after indulging in a cannabis-infused edible.
A typical weed consumer will be overcome by red eyes or “stoned eyes” and dry mouth (“cotton mouth”), so if you see someone with their lips stuck to their gums and a pair of bloodshot peepers, they may be experiencing the aftermath of a spliff session!
The American Dental Association claims that there is a link between using cannabis and oral dryness. The scientific basis for this is the fact that THC activates CB1 receptors on salivary glands, too, reducing saliva production and potentially causing complications associated with dry mouth (e.g. caries, periodontal disease, etc.) if not addressed properly.
It’s not just the physical signs that suggest someone might be under the influence of cannabis. Certain actions or behaviors can also indicate a cannabis high, such as feasting on more food than usual, falling into a fit of giggles, or, in some cases, forgetfulness. THC can also cause anxiety or tension. This can be especially intense when “greening out,” which is when you consume too much cannabis within a short time.
Want to hide your high? There are a handful of preventative measures that will aid you in your quest to look less stoned. For example, guzzling plenty of water within recommended limits will hydrate you, give you a burst of energy, boost overall health, and help form saliva to keep those cotton-mouth situations at bay!
For chronic dry mouth, use alcohol-free mouthwash products and toothpaste containing xylitol (a sugar substitute, present in Biotene mouthwash and zero-alcohol mouthwash), as well as sports drinks, acidic drinks, or candies (e.g., fruit juices, lemonade, sour hard candy) can also help stimulate salivary receptors directly. Just be sure not to overdo it on the ingestible.
Learning how to get rid of the smell of cannabis is also imperative for someone who doesn’t want to offend people in public, at work, while traveling, or be exposed to their weed pastimes. Instead of scurrying to find a solution post-smoke, make sure you’ve got your smell-eliminating supplies at the ready beforehand. You might also want to prepare a change of clothes and a safe spot to smoke or take a refreshing nap before a social gathering.
Furthermore, anecdotal evidence and research indicate that the pinene in pine nuts, limonene in lemon peel, and the caryophyllene in black peppercorns may help to sober up and reduce the effects of a cannabis high. A dose of cannabidiol (CBD) may also counteract the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is ideal if you’re trying to stop looking high.
How long does marijuana usually last? According to Healthline and the WHO, a cannabis high can linger for up to 24 hours, depending on how much you ingest, your chosen method of consumption, the THC percentage and terpene composition, your body weight and metabolism, and your tolerance. Your high may also be affected by how much food you’ve eaten that day.
To get “clear-headed,” or sober up from weed, try eating. The perfect way to satisfy a case of “the munchies” is to use food that can help to ease a cannabis high. This was suggested in an article published by the British Journal of Pharmacology, which reveals that certain terpenoids can act as an antidote for a cannabis high. However, you may want to avoid foods renowned for amplifying a cannabis high, such as mango, nuts, and broccoli.
If you want to look less high instantly, getting rid of stoned eyes will help, and to do so, you can opt for a cold shower. For centuries, humans have been practicing water therapy (otherwise known as hydrotherapy), which can enhance the immune system, increase blood circulation, and improve relaxation. Increased alertness is one of the main benefits of taking a shower with cold water, as well as increased energy levels and mental clarity.
