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Medical: legal
Recreational: illegal
North Macedonia legalized medical marijuana in 2016, and hemp products that contain less than 0.2% THC can be purchased over the counter in the country. Recreational marijuana remains illegal, but the country has considered legalizing adult-use.
Possible penalties
Recreational cannabis is not yet legal in North Macedonia. Consuming, growing, and selling the plant carries jail sentences from six months to 10 years.
Medical marijuana in North Macedonia
North Macedonia legalized medical marijuana in 2016, becoming the second Balkan country to do so, after Croatia. The law allows certain doctors, including neurologists, radiologists, infectious diseases specialists, and oncologists, to prescribe cannabis oil to patients with qualifying conditions.
These include:
- Malignant diseases
- Epilepsy
- HIV
- Multiple sclerosis
- Others at the discretion of the practitioner
Patients can access cannabis oil and tinctures (above 0.2% THC) at pharmacies with a prescription. Whether cannabis flower is legal for medical purposes is unclear.
Expansion of the medical program has been slow. As of 2021, only one company produced a domestic product, and it was reported to be expensive, weak, and hard to find. There are 64 companies currently licensed to grow medical cannabis, but much of the cannabis grown in North Macedonia is exported.
CBD regulations
Medical hemp and CBD are legal in North Macedonia. Cannabis oil with less than 0.2% THC is available over the counter, throughout the country for anyone who needs it. Other CBD products can be found online and in certain shops. Industrial hemp cultivation, however, is not yet legal.
Can you grow your own weed?
No, you cannot grow cannabis in Macedonia, even for medical purposes. Only companies with a government-issued license are allowed to do so for medical and scientific purposes.
Visiting North Macedonia – can you buy or bring marijuana products?
Although North Macedonia has a medical program, the challenges and cost of obtaining legal medicine mean the country has a thriving black market. While you may be able to obtain cannabis during your visit, do so at your own risk. These products are untested, unregulated, and still illegal.
Do not cross international borders with cannabis products, as this can be considered drug trafficking.
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