Cannabis remains federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, but states have enacted wide-ranging laws from full adult-use legalization to complete prohibition.
Canada legalized adult-use cannabis federally under the Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) in October 2018. Each province and territory independently regulates distribution, retail, and possession limits.
Mexico's Supreme Court (SCJN) declared cannabis prohibition unconstitutional in 2021. Federal regulations are overseen by COFEPRIS. Regulations around personal use, medical, and cultivation continue to evolve by state.
Puerto Rico operates a robust medical cannabis program under the Compassionate Use Act. As a U.S. territory, federal law applies and adult-use cannabis remains prohibited.
🚫 Cannabis Fully Prohibited
Cuba maintains strict prohibition on cannabis for recreational and most medical uses. Penalties are severe. This page provides a single comprehensive overview of Cuban cannabis law.
🌏 Jurisdiction Comparison Overview
| Jurisdiction | Adult-Use | Medical | Possession Limit | Min. Legal Age | Federal Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States (Federal) | Illegal | Illegal | N/A (federal) | N/A | Schedule I CSA |
| 🇺🇸 US — Legal States (avg.) | Legal | Legal | ~1 oz (28g) | 21 | State law varies |
| 🇨🇦 Canada (Federal) | Legal | Legal | 30g in public | 18–21 (by province) | Cannabis Act 2018 |
| 🇲🇸 Mexico (Federal) | Decrim / Evolving | Legal | 5g personal use | 18 | SCJN ruling 2021 |
| 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico | Illegal | Legal | Medical only | 21 (medical) | U.S. Federal applies |
| 🇨🇺 Cuba | Illegal | Illegal | 0g | N/A | Full prohibition |
⚠️ Important Warnings — Adult-Use Cannabis
- Do not drive under the influence of cannabis. Impaired driving is illegal everywhere and carries serious criminal penalties.
- Do not cross borders with cannabis — including between U.S. states or from Canada into the U.S. This is a federal crime regardless of state or provincial legality.
- Federal employment drug testing still applies even in legal states. Cannabis use can affect security clearances and federal contracts.
- Age restrictions apply — purchasing or providing cannabis to minors is a criminal offense in all jurisdictions covered here.
- Public use is restricted or prohibited in most jurisdictions even where adult-use is legal.
- Landlords and employers may still restrict cannabis use on their premises regardless of local legality.
📋 Legal Disclaimer
This website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently; always verify current regulations through official government sources before making any legal, business, medical, or personal decisions relating to cannabis. Cannbus.org assumes no liability for actions taken based on information presented here.
📚 Key References & Sources
- U.S. DEA — Controlled Substances Act: dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
- NORML — State Laws: norml.org/laws
- NCSL — State Cannabis Laws: ncsl.org
- Government of Canada — Cannabis Act: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
- COFEPRIS Mexico: gob.mx/cofepris
- Puerto Rico Compassionate Use Act (Law 42-2017): estado.pr.gov
- MJBizDaily: mjbizdaily.com