Europe and Latin America are redefining the global cannabis industry in 2025, rolling out new medical frameworks, decriminalization rulings, and highly regulated adult-use pilots. The cannabis story, long centered on North America since Canada and Uruguay legalized more than a decade ago, has now shifted to these regions. Governments there are moving faster than at any point since legalization began.

For cannabis retailers, producers, regulators, and technology providers, this transformation matters. These reforms will influence supply chains, export markets, patient access, and the long-term structure of the global cannabis economy.

This breakdown covers the countries leading the change and what their momentum means for the industry in 2025–2026.

Colombia Approves Medical Cannabis Flower for Pharmacies

Colombia took one of the most significant global steps in 2025 with Decree 1138, marking a breakthrough for patient access:

Colombia Decree 1138 changes patient access rules

• Pharmacies and drugstores can now sell medical cannabis flower under prescription

   

• Micro, small, and medium growers get exclusive supply rights for the first two years

   

• Veterinarians can prescribe cannabis flower for animals under strict regulation

   

This shift moves Colombia beyond extracts and oils toward a patient-centered medical ecosystem. This shift also reinforces Colombia’s position as a major global exporter — especially to fast-growing European markets like Germany.

 

Germany Builds Europe’s Largest Legal Cannabis Market

Germany remains the most influential cannabis market in Europe.

Pillar 1 expands cannabis access since April 2024

• Adults (18+) may possess up to 25 g and grow up to 3 plants

   

• Non-profit cannabis social clubs are operating nationwide

   

• Germany removed cannabis from narcotics law, boosting medical prescribing

   

Over 400+ social club applications were submitted by early 2025, with dozens distributing early harvests.

Pillar 2 launches cannabis retail pilot stores in 2025

• Germany is preparing for scientifically monitored adult-use retail pilots

• Pilot shops will operate in selected cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hanover

   

• German regulators expect national approvals and ethics reviews into early 2026

   

If pilots proceed as expected, Germany will effectively become Europe’s first structured adult-use retail ecosystem, combining:

• a mature medical market

   

• hundreds of social clubs

   

• licensed pilot dispensaries

   

• a nationwide CBD/hemp retail sector

   

By 2026, Germany could become the most important cannabis market outside North America.

 

Spain Approves a National Medical Cannabis Framework

Spain, long known for its cannabis social clubs, has now taken a major step toward formalization.

Royal Decree 903/2025 introduces cannabis medical rules

• A national medical cannabis framework

   

• Prescriptions through hospital pharmacies

   

• Standardized medical preparations (oils, capsules, extracts)

   

Spain’s new regulated medical channel provides legitimacy and consistency for patients, while social clubs continue to operate. Tighter rules on youth protection and advertising are expected across regions.

Spain may not be fully legal yet, but 2025 is the year it moves from a grey-area club system toward a national medical architecture.

 

Brazil Expands Medical Cannabis and Decriminalizes Adult Use

Brazil is quickly emerging as a global cannabis heavyweight.

Brazil expands medical cannabis through pharmacies

• Since 2019, ANVISA has allowed prescription cannabis products

   

• Dozens of cannabis medicines are now available in pharmacies

   

• Tens of thousands of Brazilians use medical cannabis products

   

Brazil decriminalizes adult cannabis use in 2024

In June 2024, Brazil’s Supreme Court decriminalized:

• possession of up to 40 g

• cultivation of up to 6 plants for personal use

   

Although full legalization is not yet in place, Brazil now has a combination of:

• a rapidly growing medical system

   

• a decriminalized personal-use regime

   

This combination typically precedes more structured adult-use regulation.

 

Mexico Decriminalizes Cannabis But Lacks Adult-Use Retail

Mexico’s cannabis journey shows progress, but also political gridlock.

Mexico legalizes medical cannabis and personal use

• Mexico has regulated medical cannabis since 2021

   

• The Supreme Court ruled that banning personal use is unconstitutional

   

• Adults can obtain personal-use permits

   

Mexico still lacks adult-use cannabis retail law

• Congress has not passed the Cannabis General Law

   

• No formal adult-use retail market exists yet

   

Mexico is in a holding pattern — but the moment lawmakers act, it could become one of the world’s largest cannabis markets.

 

Slovenia Leads a Growing European Cannabis Reform Wave

Several smaller European countries made key cannabis reform progress in 2025:

• Slovenia overwhelmingly approved a medical cannabis referendum, paving the way for one of Europe’s most forward-thinking medical policies

   

• Malta and Luxembourg allow limited adult-use possession and home cultivation

   

• Switzerland and the Netherlands are running data-driven adult-use pilot projects

   

According to Prohibition Partners, more than 20 European nations now support some form of medical cannabis.

 

A Global Cannabis Pattern Emerges: Medical First, Then Retail

Across all regions, a consistent model is emerging:

Step 1: Countries build medical cannabis frameworks first

Countries start with medical frameworks to establish safety, supply chains, and prescribing guidelines.

Step 2: Social clubs bridge cannabis to legal markets

Social clubs, homegrow, and decriminalization often act as a bridge to legal markets.

Step 3: Pilot stores test controlled cannabis retail

Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands are leading with pilot stores before national rollouts.

Step 4: Cannabis policies prioritize public health goals

Colombia prioritizes small growers; Germany emphasizes scientific data; Spain requires medical standardization.

Step 5: Legal cannabis market grows to US$110.1B by 2030

The legal cannabis market is projected to grow from US$33.8B in 2024 to US$110.1B by 2030 — a 21.8% CAGR.

 

What This Means for the Global Cannabis Industry

2025–2026 will be the most transformative years since legalization began globally. Europe and Latin America are aligning around consistent, regulated, health-focused cannabis models.

For retailers, regulators, producers, and cannabis retail point-of-sale technology platforms like TechPOS, this shift signals:

• standardized cannabis ecommerce retail environments

   

• greater focus on data compliance integrations for cannabis retailers

   

• higher patient/adult-use consumer expectations

   

• increased cross-border supply opportunities

   

• and a fast-expanding global customer base

   

The global cannabis map is being redrawn — and the new center of gravity extends far beyond North America.