Denmark
Europe
#41 of 196 worldwide
#15 of 45 in Europe
Possession is punished with fines. The medical cannabis pilot programme was made permanent, and Denmark hosts licensed producers. Christiania's open market was shut down in 2024.
Score breakdown ▏world average
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Possession · 25%2/10adds 5.0 of 25 points
Possession of any amount is an offence. For small amounts for personal use the standard outcome is a fine that rises with repeat offences; larger amounts or signs of dealing bring prison. Fines are doubled in designated zones such as around Christiania.
Personal cultivation · 25%1/10adds 2.5 of 25 points
Growing cannabis for its THC is illegal and prosecuted; penalties scale with the number of plants.
Punishment & enforcement · 20%4/10adds 8.0 of 20 points
Fines for users; prison for cultivation and dealing, with long sentences for organised trade.
Sharing & gifting · 10%1/10adds 1.0 of 10 points
Supply is a crime, with prison for anything beyond trivial amounts.
Consumption · 10%1/10adds 1.0 of 10 points
Use is not itself named as an offence, but possession is, so users are fined when caught.
Legal access · 10%2/10adds 2.0 of 10 points
No legal adult-use source. Copenhagen's open hash market on Christiania's Pusher Street was dug up and closed in 2024. Medical cannabis is dispensed by pharmacies on prescription.
More context not part of the score
Denmark licenses cultivation and manufacture of medical cannabis and hosts several export-oriented producers.
Prescription flower and oils under the medical scheme; low-THC products up to 0.2%.
A pilot programme that began in 2018 let any doctor prescribe cannabis products not otherwise approved as medicines. Parliament made it permanent from 1 January 2026, with partial reimbursement.
Fines for possession can appear on a criminal record for a period. Driving has a very low THC blood limit with licence suspension.
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