Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Greece law
Cannabis laws in Thessaloniki 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
After the 2004 Olympics, it felt like the number of cops on duty doubled. They seemed to be after everything.
I thought tourists or foreign students sometimes got an easier time. Keep a low profile and be polite, but don’t assume a smile will get you out of trouble.
Where to Buy Marijuana
In the center and on the west side, people who already smoked might share rather than sell to a foreigner. Women sometimes had better luck starting a conversation. I’d avoid the offers in the main squares. Too many rip-offs.
On the islands in summer, you could smell it everywhere.
Marijuana Prices
Skunk and “maracess” were both rare and cost €10–20 a gram.
Kalamata was rarer still. “85%” of what people smoked seemed to be Albanian grass. €3–5 a gram, with a bad smell and bad taste.
Types of Marijuana
Turkish, maracess, Albanian, Dutch, Greek and Bulgarian, plus grass oil.
More Information
People spoke of about five grams as personal use and said whether you got let go depended on the officer. That wasn’t a dependable legal limit.