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Which trio of European countries have taken the high road by legalizing cannabis for recreational use?

In a groundbreaking move that has left the rest of Europe in a haze of envy, Malta, Luxembourg, and, most recently, Germany in late February 2024 has blazed a trail by legalizing cannabis for recreational use. Malta lit the first joint among EU countries, passing legislation to allow cannabis recreational use. Not wanting to be left out of the pot party, Luxembourg soon followed suit, making history as the second EU country to legalize the leaf. Germany, not to be outdone and always keen to be seen as über cool, joined this exclusive club in 2024. This trio of countries has distinguished themselves by establishing specific frameworks that allow for the controlled sale and consumption of cannabis under certain conditions. This has set a new gold (or, should we say, green) standard in cannabis policy. The Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal might seem like they’re rolling with the times, but they’ve just decriminalized or tolerated cannabis to varying extents. Legalization? Not quite.