Is Cannabis / THC legal in Italy?

Legal status

Recreational illegal (DPR 309/1990) — personal possession an administrative sanction; home cultivation for strictly personal use decriminalised (Cassation 12348/2020); medical cannabis legal since 2007

Consequences if caught

In Italy, drug USE itself is not an offence; personal possession is an administrative matter under Art 75 of DPR 309/1990 — suspension of driving licence, passport, ID or firearms permit for 1–12 months (1–3 months for less-dangerous Schedule II/IV substances, 2–12 months for more-dangerous Schedule I/III), with no criminal record; a first offence is often just a formal warning from the Prefect. Recreational cannabis is illegal under DPR 309/1990; small-scale home cultivation for strictly personal use was decriminalised by Court of Cassation ruling 12348/2020. Trafficking under Art 73 is a crime: 'heavy' drugs (e.g. cocaine, heroin) 6–20 years plus a €26,000–260,000 fine, 'light' drugs (e.g. cannabis) 2–6 years plus a fine. The line between personal use and dealing is not fixed by grams but assessed case-by-case (quantity, THC content, packaging, scales, cash). 'Cannabis light' (low-THC) remains in a persistent legal grey area.

If prescribed or medical

Medical cannabis has been legal since 2007 (state-produced); for personal patient travel within Schengen carry a Schengen Article 75 certificate plus the prescription.

Documentation

For personal patient travel within Schengen, carry a Schengen Article 75 certificate for medical cannabis or narcotics, plus the prescription; keep medicines in original packaging.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Italy’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.