Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has been a highly debated topic around the world in recent years. With changing attitudes towards the drug, many countries have reconsidered their laws surrounding its use and possession. As a result, the legal status of cannabis varies greatly from one country to another.

In some countries, cannabis is completely legal for both medical and recreational use. For example, Canada legalized the recreational use of cannabis in 2018, becoming one of the first major countries to do so. In Uruguay, cannabis has been legal for both medical and recreational use since 2013. These countries have taken a progressive approach to cannabis legalization and have seen positive outcomes from their decision.

On the other hand, there are still many countries where cannabis remains illegal in all forms. In countries like Japan and South Korea, possessing even small amounts of cannabis can lead to strict penalties including imprisonment. These countries have maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards cannabis despite changing attitudes globally.

Many other countries fall somewhere in between these two extremes. In some places, cannabis is legal for medical use but still illegal for recreational purposes. This is the case in Germany, where patients can access medical marijuana with a prescription but recreational use is prohibited.

Additionally, there are several countries that have decriminalized cannabis possession, meaning that while it is still technically illegal, individuals caught with small amounts of the drug may only face minor fines rather than criminal charges. Portugal was one of the first countries to decriminalize all drugs in 2001 and has seen success in reducing drug-related harm as a result.

Overall, the legal status of cannabis continues to evolve around the world as attitudes towards the drug shift. While some countries have embraced full legalization, others remain staunchly opposed to any form of cannabis use. It will be interesting to see how these laws continue to change in the future as more research is conducted on the potential benefits and risks associated with cannabis consumption.