Cannabis Legal in Poland? A Guide for Tourists in 2026

Planning a trip to Warsaw or Kraków and wondering:
is cannabis legal in Poland?

The answer depends on whether you mean recreational cannabis or medical cannabis.

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Poland. Possessing cannabis without a legal medical basis can result in criminal consequences — even when the amount is relatively small.

At the same time, medical cannabis is legal in Poland and can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed through Polish pharmacies.

Foreign tourists can also potentially access medical cannabis treatment while staying in Poland. You do not necessarily need Polish citizenship, permanent residency or even a Polish PESEL number to attend a consultation.

This guide explains the most important cannabis laws in Poland for tourists, including possession, medical cannabis prescriptions, pharmacies, travelling with cannabis and driving after THC use.

Quick Answer: Is Weed Legal in Poland?

Recreational weed: No.

Medical cannabis: Yes, with a valid prescription and when used as part of legitimate medical treatment.

Poland has not introduced recreational cannabis legalisation similar to countries such as Canada or certain US states.

There are also no legal recreational cannabis dispensaries where tourists can simply walk in and purchase THC cannabis.

If somebody is offering recreational cannabis without a prescription, it should not be confused with Poland’s legal medical cannabis system.

Is Recreational Cannabis Legal in Poland?

No. Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Poland.

Polish law prohibits unlawful possession of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

This is particularly important for tourists because cannabis laws in Poland may be stricter than those in their home country.

The fact that recreational cannabis may be legal or decriminalised where you live does not give you the right to possess it while visiting Poland.

Polish law applies while you are in Poland, regardless of whether you are visiting from the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom or another country.

Is a Small Amount of Cannabis Legal in Poland?

No.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings about Polish cannabis law.

Poland does not have a simple rule stating that possession of a specific number of grams is automatically legal for personal use.

Under Polish law, possession of an illegal narcotic substance can constitute an offence.

There is a provision allowing proceedings to be discontinued in certain circumstances when the amount is insignificant, intended for personal use and punishment would be considered unnecessary.

However, this is not the same as legal possession.

There is no guaranteed tourist-friendly allowance such as:

• “1 gram is legal”,
• “3 grams are legal”,
• “5 grams are decriminalised”.

Tourists should therefore not rely on the idea that carrying a small amount of recreational cannabis is permitted in Poland.

What Are the Penalties for Cannabis Possession in Poland?

Unlawful possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances can lead to criminal liability under Polish law.

The exact consequences depend on factors such as the amount involved, circumstances of the case and whether the case is considered one of lesser gravity.

For tourists, the practical rule is simple:

do not carry recreational cannabis in Poland.

Being a foreign visitor does not provide an exemption from Polish drug laws.

Is Medical Cannabis Legal in Poland?

Yes.

Medical cannabis has been legally available within the Polish healthcare system since changes introduced in 2017.

Cannabis medicines, including cannabis flower, can be prescribed by an authorised doctor when there is a legitimate medical indication for treatment.

The medicine is then obtained from a licensed Polish pharmacy.

Medical cannabis should therefore be understood as a prescription medicine rather than a legal recreational cannabis market.

Can Tourists Get Medical Cannabis in Poland?

Potentially, yes.

Foreign citizenship does not by itself prevent a patient from consulting a Polish doctor.

A tourist visiting Poland can arrange a private medical consultation. If the physician determines that medical cannabis is clinically appropriate, a Polish prescription may be issued.

This can potentially apply to:

• UK citizens,
• US citizens,
• Canadian citizens,
• EU citizens,
• international students,
• Erasmus students,
• expats,
• digital nomads,
• other international visitors.

However, booking a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.

The doctor must assess the patient’s health, medical history, medications, indications and potential contraindications before deciding whether cannabis treatment is appropriate.

Do Tourists Need a Polish PESEL Number?

Not necessarily.

This is particularly relevant for short-term visitors who have never lived in Poland.

The Polish e-prescription system can accommodate foreign patients who do not have a PESEL number.

For foreign patients in the relevant circumstances, a passport number or another photo identification document can be used as the patient identifier.

In practical terms, this means:

No PESEL does not automatically mean no Polish prescription.

A tourist attending a private consultation should bring their valid passport or other appropriate identification document.

Can I Use My Passport for a Medical Cannabis Prescription?

For foreign patients without PESEL, a passport can be used as an identification document under the relevant Polish prescription rules.

You should bring the original document to your appointment.

It is also sensible to keep the same identification document available when visiting the pharmacy.

Your passport only identifies you as a patient. It does not automatically qualify you for medical cannabis treatment.

The final decision regarding treatment belongs to the doctor.

Can I Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription Online in Poland?

For a tourist starting treatment, you should generally expect an in-person medical appointment.

Since 7 November 2024, Polish regulations require a personal medical examination before prescribing certain controlled medicines, including cannabis flower, cannabis resin and specified cannabis extracts.

This means that a simple online form or standard remote consultation is generally not sufficient for a private clinic to prescribe medical cannabis.

There is a limited exception concerning continuation of treatment by certain doctors providing publicly funded primary healthcare services, but this is not the standard route for a tourist or foreign visitor.

For most international patients, the process looks like this:

Book an appointment → visit the doctor in person → present your passport and medical information → undergo a medical assessment → receive a prescription if medically eligible → collect the medicine from a pharmacy.

What Should a Tourist Bring to a Medical Cannabis Appointment?

It is useful to bring as much relevant medical information as reasonably possible.

This may include:

• a valid passport or other accepted identification document,
• medical records,
• your diagnosis,
• a list of medications you currently take,
• previous treatment history,
• recent test results if relevant,
• documentation of previous medical cannabis treatment,
• a copy of your existing cannabis prescription if you are already a patient abroad.

Medical documentation in English can be particularly useful for international patients.

Where Can You Buy Medical Cannabis in Poland?

Legal medical cannabis is obtained through Polish pharmacies.

It is not sold through recreational dispensaries, coffee shops or cannabis clubs.

You need an appropriate prescription for the specific medical cannabis product.

Availability varies between pharmacies, and not every pharmacy will have every prescribed product immediately in stock.

After receiving a prescription, it is therefore worth checking the availability of the prescribed medicine before travelling to the pharmacy.

Larger cities such as:

• Warsaw,
• Kraków,

generally provide patients with a wider selection of pharmacies than smaller towns.

How Does a Polish E-Prescription Work for Tourists?

Poland uses an electronic prescription system known as e-Recepta.

Foreign patients without PESEL can still receive an e-prescription.

A patient without PESEL can be provided with the prescription information as a printout or electronic document such as a PDF.

This document can then be shown at the pharmacy.

For tourists, asking the clinic for clear prescription information or a PDF is usually the most convenient option.

Can I Use a Foreign Cannabis Prescription in Poland?

Do not assume that a medical cannabis prescription issued in another country can automatically be used to purchase cannabis from a Polish pharmacy.

Controlled medicines are subject to special prescription rules.

Polish cross-border e-prescriptions do not cover narcotic and psychotropic medicines in the same way as ordinary prescription products.

Therefore, an international patient who needs medical cannabis during their stay may need to consult a doctor in Poland and obtain a Polish prescription if medically eligible.

Your existing foreign prescription is still useful as medical documentation and should be shown to the doctor.

Can I Bring Medical Cannabis to Poland From Another Country?

Do not assume that a foreign prescription alone gives you permission to cross the Polish border with cannabis.

Transporting narcotic or psychotropic medicines across the Polish border for personal medical use is subject to a separate procedure.

An appropriate document may be required depending on where you are travelling from.

For travel involving controlled medicines, the competent authority may be the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector or the relevant voivodeship pharmaceutical inspector, depending on the country involved.

The permitted documentation generally covers the amount required for the patient’s own treatment during the specified travel period.

Rules differ depending on whether the journey involves:

• another EU and Schengen country, or
• a country outside the EU and Schengen Area.

You should also check the requirements imposed by your country of departure and any country through which you transit.

Important Travel Rules for Medical Cannabis in 2026

From 12 July 2026, Poland introduced a new template for documents authorising the import or export of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and certain controlled precursors for personal medical use.

The Polish Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate recommends applying for the required document at least 15 days before travelling.

Applications made immediately before departure may not be processed in time.

Therefore, tourists who already use medical cannabis abroad should research the paperwork before travelling to Poland with their medicine.

Can I Fly to Poland With Medical Cannabis?

Medical cannabis being legally prescribed in your home country does not automatically mean you can take it onto a flight to Poland.

Controlled-drug rules apply separately from standard airport security rules.

Before flying, check:

1. the rules of your country of departure,
2. Polish import requirements,
3. airline requirements where relevant,
4. the laws of any transit country.

Never assume that showing a foreign prescription at the airport will automatically resolve all legal requirements.

Can I Buy Recreational Weed in Warsaw or Kraków?

No legal recreational cannabis market operates in Poland.

This applies just as much in major tourist destinations such as Warsaw and Kraków as it does elsewhere in the country.

There are no legal THC dispensaries operating like those found in Canada or certain US states.

Businesses advertising CBD, hemp or cannabis-related products should not be confused with pharmacies dispensing prescription medical cannabis.

Are There Cannabis Coffee Shops in Poland?

Poland does not have a legal recreational cannabis coffee-shop system comparable to the one associated with the Netherlands.

A venue using cannabis imagery or selling hemp-related products does not mean that customers can legally purchase and consume recreational THC cannabis there.

Tourists should be cautious about assuming that European cannabis laws are the same from country to country.

Can I Use Medical Cannabis in Public in Poland?

Legally prescribed medical cannabis should be treated as a medicine and used according to your doctor’s instructions.

However, using cannabis in a public place can easily attract attention because other people — including police officers — cannot immediately know whether the cannabis in your possession has been legally prescribed.

Patients also need to respect applicable rules of the location they are in.

For tourists, the simplest practical approach is to use prescribed medical cannabis in a private location whenever possible and keep documentation confirming that the medicine was legally obtained.

What Should I Carry With My Medical Cannabis?

If you legally possess prescribed medical cannabis in Poland, it is sensible to keep:

• the medicine in its original pharmacy packaging,
• your prescription information,
• your passport or identification document,
• other relevant medical documentation if necessary.

Avoid transferring cannabis into unlabelled bags or containers that make it difficult to establish where the medicine came from.

Can I Drive After Using Medical Cannabis in Poland?

Do not drive while under the influence of THC.

Polish road traffic law prohibits driving after using substances that act similarly to alcohol, and cannabinoids are included among substances tested under these rules.

Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance can also lead to criminal liability.

Importantly, having a valid medical cannabis prescription should not be treated as permission to drive while impaired.

This is particularly important for tourists renting a car in Poland.

If your treatment can affect your ability to drive safely, follow your doctor’s instructions and avoid driving.

Is Cannabis Legal for Tourists From the Netherlands, Canada or the USA?

Your nationality does not change Polish cannabis law.

For example, recreational cannabis being legal or tolerated in:

• Canada,
• certain US states,
• the Netherlands under its specific tolerance framework,
• another country with more permissive cannabis laws

does not make recreational possession legal while you are in Poland.

Once you enter Poland, you are subject to Polish law.

Is Medical Cannabis Legal for Foreigners in Poland?

Yes. Foreign nationality itself does not exclude a patient from medical cannabis treatment.

A foreign visitor can attend a medical consultation and may receive a prescription if the physician considers the treatment medically justified.

A Polish PESEL number is not necessarily required, and a passport can be used as the patient’s identifier in relevant circumstances.

This makes legal medical access possible even for people who are only temporarily staying in Poland.

Medical Cannabis in Warsaw for Tourists

Foreign visitors staying in Warsaw can arrange an in-person medical consultation with a doctor in Poland.

When choosing a clinic, international patients may want to check whether:

• the consultation can be conducted in English,
• the clinic accepts foreign patients,
• patients without PESEL can be registered using a passport,
• the clinic provides prescription information suitable for use at a pharmacy.

Medical Cannabis in Kraków for Tourists

The same basic rules apply to tourists staying in Kraków.

A foreign patient can book an in-person consultation and bring their passport and available medical documentation.

If the doctor determines that medical cannabis is appropriate, a Polish prescription may be issued and the medicine can then be obtained from a pharmacy where the prescribed product is available.

FAQ: Cannabis Laws in Poland for Tourists

Is cannabis legal in Poland?

Medical cannabis is legal when appropriately prescribed. Recreational cannabis remains illegal.

Is weed legal in Warsaw?

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Warsaw, just as it is elsewhere in Poland. Medical cannabis is available legally on prescription.

Is weed legal in Kraków?

The same national law applies in Kraków. Recreational possession is illegal, while medical cannabis can be legally prescribed.

Is a small amount of weed legal in Poland?

No. Poland does not have a simple legal possession allowance measured in grams. Proceedings involving an insignificant amount for personal use may sometimes be discontinued, but this does not make possession legal.

Can tourists get medical cannabis in Poland?

Yes, potentially. A tourist can attend a medical consultation and may receive a prescription if the doctor determines that cannabis treatment is medically appropriate.

Do foreigners need PESEL for medical cannabis?

Not necessarily. Foreign patients without PESEL can receive an e-prescription, and a passport or another qualifying identification document can be used in relevant circumstances.

Can I get medical cannabis with my passport?

A passport can be used to identify a foreign patient without PESEL. The prescription itself depends on the doctor’s medical assessment.

Can I buy weed from a dispensary in Poland?

There is no legal recreational THC dispensary system in Poland. Legal medical cannabis is dispensed through pharmacies on prescription.

Can I use my foreign cannabis prescription in Poland?

Do not assume that a foreign cannabis prescription can automatically be filled in a Polish pharmacy. Controlled medicines are subject to additional restrictions, and a Polish medical consultation may be necessary.

Can I bring medical cannabis into Poland?

Potentially, but appropriate documentation for transporting controlled medicines across the Polish border may be required. Check the requirements before travelling.

Can I drive after using prescribed cannabis?

You should not drive while under the influence of THC. A medical prescription does not provide an exemption from Polish road traffic rules concerning impairment and intoxicating substances.

So, Is Cannabis Legal in Poland?

The simplest answer for tourists is:

Recreational cannabis — illegal.
Medical cannabis — legal with an appropriate prescription.

Do not rely on claims that carrying a few grams is automatically allowed. Poland does not have a legal recreational possession limit for tourists.

If you are already a medical cannabis patient or believe you may have a legitimate medical indication for cannabis treatment, legal treatment in Poland may be possible.

Foreign patients do not necessarily need Polish citizenship, permanent residence or PESEL. In relevant circumstances, a passport can be used for patient identification.

Because medical cannabis prescriptions generally require an in-person examination, tourists should arrange their consultation for a time when they are physically in Poland.

Visiting Poland and Need a Medical Cannabis Consultation?

Foreign patients staying in Poland can arrange an English-speaking, in-person medical consultation.

Bring your passport, information about your current medications and any relevant medical documentation.

The doctor will review your medical history and determine individually whether medical cannabis treatment is appropriate.

No Polish PESEL? A valid passport can be used for patient identification in relevant circumstances.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.
Cannabis laws, prescribing regulations and international travel requirements may change.
Treatment eligibility and prescription decisions are determined individually by a physician.
Travellers should verify current border requirements before travelling with controlled medicines.