Perugia, Italy

Since February 2025, Italy has had a complex legal framework governing cannabis use. Recreational cannabis remains illegal; however, possession of small amounts for personal use has been decriminalized since the 1990s and generally results in administrative penalties such as fines or the suspension of personal documents. The unauthorized sale or cultivation of cannabis is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment.

In 2016, Italy legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) with a THC content below 0,2%, leading to the emergence of the "cannabis light" industry, which offers products with low THC levels. However, at the end of 2024, the government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed a law banning products made from hemp flowers, citing public safety concerns. This move threatens the burgeoning "cannabis light" sector, which had achieved annual sales of around €500 million.

Italian regulations regarding cannabidiol (CBD) products have evolved. Since September 2023, the Ministry of Health has classified orally administered CBD products as narcotics and requires them to be dispensed only with a doctor's prescription from pharmacies. This reclassification has significant implications for the CBD market, affecting the availability and distribution of CBD oils and related products.

In the medical field, Italy legalized cannabis for therapeutic purposes in 2007. Patients with certain conditions, such as chronic pain or multiple sclerosis, can access medical cannabis through the national health system, provided they present a valid prescription. The military pharmaceutical factory in Florence is authorized to cultivate cannabis for medical purposes to ensure a controlled supply for patients.