In Sweden, recreational marijuana is illegal and medical marijuana is legal.
Many European countries are tolerant of cannabis, but Sweden has penalties for recreational cannabis. In many European countries, marijuana may be decriminalized, but in Sweden, possession of even a small amount of marijuana can result in a prison sentence of up to three years. While many countries make a distinction between marijuana and other drugs, in Sweden marijuana and other drugs are classified in the same category.
The maximum sentence is likely to apply if the offense is serious, such as the use of marijuana or the transfer of drugs, and even less serious offenses carry a maximum sentence of up to six months in prison.
Driving under the influence of drugs, including alcohol, carries a fine or up to six months’ imprisonment, and up to two years for aggravated offenses.
Medical cannabis in Sweden
Medical cannabis is legal in Sweden.
If you wish to use medical cannabis in Sweden, you must obtain a permit in advance. If you wish to use cannabis for medical purposes, your doctor must submit a written request to the Medicines Agency.
Medical marijuana is not available to everyone, and can be used when other treatment methods other than medical marijuana have been exhausted, or when a doctor has determined that there is no suitable treatment.
The medicines approved in Sweden are Sativex, Marinol and Epidiolex, which are used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis, AIDS and epilepsy.
Treatment with medical marijuana is increasing in Sweden, with 395 people using Sativex, 11 people using Marinol, and several people using Epidiolex, according to a 2018 survey.
CBD is legal
CBD is legal in Sweden.
CBD extracted from industrial hemp is legal, while CBD extracted from cannabis is illegal.
In 2019, the Swedish Supreme Court ruled that CBD oil and other CBD products are not legal if they contain THC.
This ruling means that even trace amounts of THC will be treated as a drug.
While other European countries often regulate THC at 0.2%, Sweden has a strict regulation of 0%.
However, as of 2023, it is said that it is difficult to sell CBD products in Sweden even if they do not contain THC, indicating a very strict stance even in Europe, where the CBD market is booming.
Home Growing is illegal
In Sweden, it is illegal to grow marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes.
Cultivation of marijuana is punishable by a fine and up to 6 months imprisonment. In the case of more serious offenses, the penalties can be even more severe.
What you should know before going to Sweden
In Sweden, recreational marijuana is illegal and there are strict regulations regarding CBD products.
In many European countries, recreational marijuana is decriminalized and CBD products are allowed to contain up to 0.2% THC. In Sweden, however, both are illegal.
If you travel to Europe and buy CBD products you cannot bring them into Sweden. Furthermore, you will likely face heavy penalties.
Conclusion
This has been an introduction to the cannabis situation in Sweden.
In Sweden, recreational marijuana is illegal and medical marijuana is legal.
CBD products with 0% THC are legal, but in reality there are only a few stores that sell them and they are not readily available.
Sweden has stricter regulations on marijuana than other European countries, so visitors to Sweden should be careful.