Not yet medically reviewed, information on this site is in preparation and has not been verified by a medical reviewer.
Legality · Cannabis / THC

Is Cannabis / THC legal in North Macedonia?

Confirmed against a primary sourceVerified June 27, 2026
Legal status
Cannabis controlled under the Criminal Code (Art 215) — unauthorised production/release for trade 3–10 years; no fixed statutory cannabis quantity ([reported] non-statutory ~5 g intent-to-sell cut-off); NO separate personal-possession offence (personal use often charged under Art 215); no death penalty (Council of Europe)
Consequences if caught
Cannabis is controlled in North Macedonia under the Criminal Code (Art 215), with no fixed statutory cannabis quantity. In North Macedonia (Council of Europe member; no death penalty), drug offences fall under the Criminal Code (Chapter 21), principally Art 215 — unauthorised production and release for trade of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors — which carries 3–10 years; a lesser-quantity paragraph added in September 2009 carries 6 months–3 years. Art 216 covers facilitating or enabling the use of drugs, and Art 217 covers causing severe bodily injury or health damage through the Art 215/216 offences. 'Small' versus 'large' quantity is NOT defined in the Code — the Public Prosecutor's internal guidelines set non-statutory cut-offs; reported working thresholds are around 2 g of cocaine, 2 g of heroin and 5 g of cannabis, above which intent to sell is presumed (reported prosecutorial practice, NOT statutory). There is NO separate personal-possession offence in the Code — personal use is often charged under Art 215, so even minimal quantities carry 3–10-year exposure, and leniency depends on prosecutorial discretion rather than a statutory carve-out.
If prescribed or medical
Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.
Documentation
In North Macedonia (Council of Europe member; no death penalty), drug offences fall under the Criminal Code (Chapter 21), principally Art 215 — unauthorised production and release for trade of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors — which carries 3–10 years; a lesser-quantity paragraph added in September 2009 carries 6 months–3 years. Art 216 covers facilitating or enabling the use of drugs, and Art 217 covers causing severe bodily injury or health damage through the Art 215/216 offences. 'Small' versus 'large' quantity is NOT defined in the Code — the Public Prosecutor's internal guidelines set non-statutory cut-offs; reported working thresholds are around 2 g of cocaine, 2 g of heroin and 5 g of cannabis, above which intent to sell is presumed (reported prosecutorial practice, NOT statutory). There is NO separate personal-possession offence in the Code — personal use is often charged under Art 215, so even minimal quantities carry 3–10-year exposure, and leniency depends on prosecutorial discretion rather than a statutory carve-out. Cannabis is controlled under the same Art 215 framework, with no fixed statutory cannabis quantity. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.
Primary sources
  • Criminal Code (1996, consolidated through the September 2009 amendment), Arts 215/216/217 (Chapter 21)
  • non-statutory quantity cut-offs per Public Prosecutor's internal guidelines
  • unodc.org