Is Weed Legal in Albania?

Last reviewed: August 6, 2026

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Albania. The Criminal Code (Law No. 7895/1995, as amended) treats cannabis as a controlled narcotic, and Article 283 criminalizes production, sale, transport, and possession with intent. The Albanian State Police, supported by the Italian-led IADSA operation and the EU's enforcement assistance through EUROPOL, has spent the past decade dismantling large outdoor cultivation networks that once made Albania one of Europe's largest illicit cannabis suppliers.

Personal possession of small quantities may be charged as an administrative offense under Article 121 of the Code of Misdemeanors, attracting fines of ALL 10,000 to ALL 50,000. Possession with intent to sell, or quantities above the personal-use threshold set by case law (typically several grams), is prosecuted criminally and carries five to ten years under Article 283/a, with aggravating factors pushing penalties to seven to fifteen years. Trafficking through organized groups can reach twenty years.

Tirana, Vlore, and the southern coast remain enforcement priorities. Foreign nationals receive no leniency.

Albania has no domestic medical-cannabis program for patients. Law 61/2023 licenses cannabis cultivation and processing strictly for export; domestic sale, distribution, prescribing, and consumption remain prohibited, so there is no in-country patient access route.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.