Snow Sports and Winter Landscapes: Even in the winter, you can still experience the combination of cannabis and nature! Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, or just enjoying the winter landscape, cannabis can amplify these activities. A sativa-dominant strain can provide an energizing boost during snow sports, and the enhanced focus and awareness can also improve your enjoyment of the beautiful snowy surroundings.
Kayaking or Canoeing: Cannabis can help enhance the tranquility of kayaking or canoeing. A hybrid or Indica strain is perfect for this, as both promote relaxation and help you connect with the peacefulness of being on the water. Cannabis may also heighten your appreciation for the other natural sights and sounds around you.
Open Flames: Be mindful of open flames. Whether it’s a lighter or a burning joint, in dry areas, these can easily start a fire or cause injury. Consider opting for non-flame consumption methods, like vaporizers, tinctures, and edibles, especially in very dry regions with high risks of fires.
Hydrating and Snacking: Hydration is key during any nature outing—but especially when consuming cannabis. Cannabis can lead to dry mouth, so bring plenty of water, electrolytes, or a water filtration device for longer trips. If you plan to be out in nature for a while, consider packing snacks like trail mix to keep your energy up and for when the munchies hit!
Choose Your Nature Experience Wisely: When choosing a trail to hike, a body of water to enjoy, or whatever natural environment you plan to explore, be sure that the activity matches your experience level. It’s also vital to know how long or complex the activity is, such as a long challenging hiking trail versus an easy one that loops around, and have a plan before consuming cannabis. Having a map or GPS handy is also a good idea in case something goes wrong, you get lost, or you “flew a little higher” than you anticipated. It might also be helpful to explore nature with someone else, especially if you’re consuming cannabis, for safety and assistance in case of emergencies. For added safety, bring a buddy or, when venturing out alone, be sure to tell someone else about your trip, timeframe, and intended route so they can check in later to see you made it home safely.
Respect Others and Nature: Be sure to respect the people around you wherever you decide to go—some people may not appreciate the smell of cannabis, so avoid smoking in areas where it could disturb others. If it’s a new nature experience, do a little research and have a plan of where to smoke; that should be your method of consumption. Always follow the “Leave No Trace” rule—pick up all waste, including cannabis remnants like roaches or edible wrappers, to keep nature the way you found it.
Just be sure to respect both your surroundings and others while enjoying these experiences, and have a plan to stay safe and prepared. Whether you’re with friends or solo, incorporating cannabis into your outdoor activities is a surefire way to elevate anything you do outdoors.
The European Union (EU) consists of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe, and while the EU doesn’t set specific cannabis laws, it helps member countries work together on drug policies. This leads to varying cannabis laws across Europe, with some countries decriminalizing or partially legalizing cannabis and others strictly prohibiting it.
Germany: Germany’s cannabis laws have been complex over the years. While laws mostly banned possession and cultivation, lawmakers legalized medical cannabis in 2017 for patients with severe illnesses. Despite recreational cannabis being illegal, enforcement varied. Some regions, like Berlin, were more lenient with small amounts of cannabis. This inconsistency and confusion in enforcement ultimately led Germany to reconsider its policies and remove cannabis from the list of narcotic substances. Germany legalized recreational cannabis on April 1, 2024. Under the new law, adults (18+) can now possess up to 50g of cannabis at home, 25g in public, and cultivate up to three plants for personal use. People can consume cannabis in public, except within 100 meters of schools, playgrounds, and sports grounds. Additionally, medical cannabis rules have changed—patients no longer need narcotic prescriptions.
Unlike the U.S. dispensary model, Germany began introducing non-profit cannabis clubs starting July 1, 2024. These clubs, limited to 500 members, will allow adults to cultivate and distribute cannabis among themselves, with strict regulations. Members must participate in the cultivation and processing of cannabis, but they cannot consume it on-site.
Netherlands: The Netherlandsis often associated with a relaxed approach to cannabis, but its laws remain more complex than they appear. While the country has decriminalized the possession of small amounts for personal use, strict regulations still govern the sale, production, and transportation of cannabis.
Individuals can possess up to 5 grams of cannabis for personal use without facing criminal charges. However, police still have the authority to confiscate cannabis. Cannabis is legally available only in designated coffee shops, which operate under strict regulations. Any other form of sale or transportation of cannabis outside these shops remains illegal.
Authorities tolerate small-scale possession, but they strictly prohibit producing, transporting, and possessing cannabis in bulk outside regulated retail spaces. This means that while consumers can buy cannabis in coffee shops, the suppliers growing and transporting it operate in a legal gray area.
The Dutch government follows a harm-reduction approach, limiting the enforcement of certain cannabis-related offenses while keeping anti-drug laws in place. This policy aims to minimize social harm and regulate cannabis use while still complying with international drug control treaties.
France: Cannabis has been illegal in France since 1953, and the country has strict laws against its sale, production, transportation, and importation. France is also a part of the 1961 international agreement that controls narcotics, which reinforces its stance on cannabis. It banned cannabis as a medical treatment in 1953 but allowed limited use of cannabis-based health products in 1999 through temporary authorizations.
France also launched a medical cannabis pilot program in March 2021, permitting a limited number of registered patients to use cannabis under strict guidelines. Medical cannabis in France is available either as an oral cannabis oil or in dried flower form, which can only be used in a vaporizer. While France has a limited medical cannabis pilot program, the government has not yet fully legalized medical cannabis.
Spain: In Spain, personal use of cannabis is decriminalized, meaning it’s legal to possess and consume up to 100 grams (about 3.5 oz) of cannabis in private. You can also grow up to 10 cannabis plants for personal use. Many people use cannabis through cannabis clubs, which are private groups that operate in a legally gray area. This allows members to consume cannabis in a controlled setting. However, selling or trading cannabis remains illegal.
Spain decriminalized the cultivation of cannabis for personal use back in 2015, but commercial use is still prohibited. While the personal use laws offer some flexibility, any form of cannabis trade or sales remains outside the law.
Denmark: In Denmark, cannabis is illegal for recreational use, but it’s allowed for medical purposes through a pilot program that started in 2018 and was extended for another four years. Despite the law, the local community in Freetown Christiania tolerates cannabis and continues to allow its trade.
How To Buy CannabisAlthough cannabis use is not technically illegal, the laws around it are inconsistent. Possessing or selling cannabis is illegal under the Danish Narcotic Substances Act, and using it for personal use has been technically a violation since 2016. However, possession of small amounts usually results in a warning or a minor fine. A 2021 law allows only licensed entities to cultivate and produce medical cannabis legally.
Finland: Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Finland but is allowed for medical purposes with a special license. The Finnish Criminal Code bans all activities related to cannabis, including production, sale, and possession. While the law is strict, recreational use is sometimes overlooked.
Cannabis became legal for medical use in 2008 in Finland, but its use remains highly restricted. Patients must obtain a prescription from a qualified doctor, and it is usually approved only as a last resort after other treatments fail, with multiple sclerosis patients being the most common recipients. Only around 500 people in Finland can access medical cannabis, and they have limited options such as Sativex or Bedrocan.
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.
