Is Weed Legal in Lithuania?

Last reviewed: August 6, 2026

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Lithuania and the country maintains some of the strictest cannabis laws in the EU. The Law on the Control of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (Narkotiniu ir psichotropiniu medziagu kontroles istatymas) lists cannabis as a Schedule I substance, and the Criminal Code (Baudziamasis kodeksas) Articles 259 and 260 criminalize possession, cultivation, and trafficking.

Possession for personal use without intent to distribute is a criminal offense under Article 259(1), punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine, or restriction of liberty; small quantities fall under Article 259(2), a criminal misdemeanor punishable by community service, a fine, restriction of liberty, or short-term arrest, but not imprisonment. Possession of larger quantities or any sale falls under Article 260, with sentences from two to twelve years; particularly large quantities trigger five to fifteen years. The Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior and the Prosecutor General's Office (Generaline prokuratura) enforce, while the Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Department coordinates policy.

A 2017 amendment abolished the former administrative-offense route, making even small-quantity possession exclusively a criminal matter; a December 2022 decriminalization push in the Seimas passed only the administrative-code half of the package and stalled, leaving the criminal framework in force. Driving with any THC in blood triggers license suspension under the Road Traffic Safety Law.

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