The legal status of cannabis varies greatly from country to country. In some places, it is completely illegal and possession or use can result in harsh penalties. In other countries, cannabis is decriminalized, meaning that possession of small amounts for personal use may not lead to criminal charges.

One of the most notable examples of a country where cannabis has been fully legalized is Canada. In 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana nationwide. This move was seen as a significant step towards ending the stigma surrounding cannabis and creating a regulated market for its sale and distribution.

In the United States, the legal status of cannabis is more complicated due to varying state laws. While cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, many states have chosen to legalize it for medicinal or recreational use. As of 2021, over half of US states have legalized medical marijuana, with several also allowing recreational use.

In countries like the Netherlands and Uruguay, cannabis has been decriminalized for personal use. This means that while technically still illegal, individuals caught with small amounts are unlikely to face criminal charges. Instead, they may receive a fine or be required to attend drug education programs.

On the other hand, countries like Japan and Singapore have strict anti-cannabis laws with severe penalties for possession or trafficking. In these countries, even small amounts of cannabis can lead to lengthy prison sentences or heavy fines.

Overall, the legal status of cannabis around the world is constantly evolving as attitudes towards the plant change. While some countries continue to enforce strict prohibitionist policies, others are moving towards legalization and regulation. It will be interesting to see how global attitudes towards cannabis continue to shift in the coming years.