As of 2026, no country has fully legalized cocaine for recreational personal use in the way some jurisdictions have legalized cannabis. However, several countries have decriminalized possession of small amounts for personal use, meaning it is not treated as a criminal offense (though administrative penalties, fines, or mandatory treatment may still apply).
Here’s an overview:
| Country | Legal Status of Small Amounts for Personal Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Decriminalized | Possession of up to a defined threshold is handled administratively rather than criminally. Trafficking remains a serious crime. |
| Czech Republic | Decriminalized (small amounts) | Small quantities are generally treated as an administrative offense. |
| Croatia | Decriminalized | Personal possession typically results in fines rather than imprisonment. |
| Slovenia | Decriminalized | Small-scale possession is generally a misdemeanor. |
| Switzerland | Limited discretion | Possession is still illegal, but prosecutors may exercise discretion for very small quantities depending on the circumstances. |
| Mexico | Decriminalized below threshold | Possession below a statutory threshold is generally not prosecuted, although the law is complex and enforcement can vary. |
| Colombia | Limited personal allowance | Adults may possess up to a court-recognized “personal dose,” but buying and selling remain illegal. |
| Argentina | Limited decriminalization | Supreme Court rulings protect private possession for personal use in some circumstances, but the legal framework remains nuanced. |
| Uruguay | Personal possession may not be prosecuted | There is no fixed legal quantity, and courts evaluate whether possession appears intended for personal use. |
Countries where cocaine remains fully illegal
In most of the world—including:
United States
Canada (except limited local public health initiatives that do not legalize cocaine)
United Kingdom
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Australia
Japan
Singapore
United Arab Emirates
possession of cocaine remains illegal and can lead to criminal penalties, although the severity varies by jurisdiction.
Important distinction
Legalized means the law allows possession and use under defined rules.
Decriminalized means possession is still illegal, but it is generally not treated as a criminal offense; civil penalties, confiscation, or referrals to treatment may apply instead.
Bottom line: As of 2026, no country has legalized recreational cocaine for personal use. A number of countries have decriminalized possession of small amounts, but manufacturing, importing, selling, and trafficking cocaine remain criminal offenses almost everywhere.