Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Greece law
Cannabis laws in Athens follow Greece’s national law. Legal status and penalties are set at the country/state level, not by the city.
Recreational cannabis is illegal, though possession of small amounts for personal use is decriminalized and typically results in administrative fines rather than criminal charges. Medical cannabis is available for qualifying patients. Some hemp-derived products may be sold under separate rules, but that does not mean marijuana is legal, and legality can depend on product content and labeling. Legal risk remains for any involvement.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Available for qualifying conditions
- Possession: Small amounts decriminalized (fines possible)
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Same rules apply; caution advised
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
Greece decriminalized possession of small amounts for personal use in 2018, treating it as an administrative offense subject to fines rather than criminal charges. Medical cannabis was legalized in 2017, with regulated production and pharmacy access expanded in subsequent years for approved conditions.
Law Enforcement
Police didn’t seem to go looking for smokers. You could still be arrested if they stopped you for something else and found weed, even a joint.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Around Omonia, there were offers of marijuana, hashish and everything else on Geraniou, Menandrou and Evripidou streets and Theatrou Square. I had a different experience elsewhere downtown. Apart from around the ruins opposite the Acropolis, most weed moved through people you knew, and you could find heroin more easily on the street than hash or weed.
Summer changes the scene. You could smell hash or weed on beaches in and around Athens. Kavouri and Limanakia were good examples. You’d meet people already smoking, some happy to share or sell a little.
In Monastiraki, the street weed I found was full of seeds and barely got me high. Some of the sellers I encountered were Albanian or Roma. The problem was the quality of the weed, and I wouldn’t hand over money before seeing what was on offer. Even average quality was hard to come by on the street.
Marijuana Prices
€10–12 a gram was the rough quote. With a contact, there was more choice:
- Lower-quality cannabis described as Albanian: €6–€8 per gram.
- Greek buds, considered harder to find: €15 per gram.
- Skunk: €15 per gram.
- Hash: €10–€12 per gram.
- Charas: approximately €16 per gram.
Types of Marijuana
Albanian weed was common in Athens. Real Greek buds had been getting harder to find. Kalamata or similar strong Greek weed was “really worth it,” but you generally needed a connection or a trip out to a distant village.
More Information
It helps to know someone. A Greek friend or other local connection could tell you what was around and what it cost. You’d put in an order and might wait a few hours. Most deals were arranged indoors.
Getting an introduction from somebody you know is a better gauge of trust than the seller’s nationality. I’d keep quantities small and avoid smoking in public or in clubs, especially as a visitor.