Cannabis and drugs in Madrid: what the law says

No, cannabis is not legal for visitors in Spain: buying or smoking it in public is punished, and dealing is a criminal offence. Using or carrying drugs in the street, a square or any public place is a serious offence under the public safety law, punished by an administrative fine. Use in a strictly private space is not penalised by that law, but that does not make buying or selling legal. Rules checked in October 2026; this guide is not legal advice.

The rule in short

Puerta del Sol, where police are very visible

Using or carrying in public: serious offence under organic law 4/2015 on public safety (the « ley mordaza »). The fine ranges from €601 to €30,000 depending on severity.
Selling, buying to resell, growing to resell: a criminal offence, far heavier than a fine.
Using in private: no fine in itself, but carrying it outside the home is still banned, and a rental or hotel may refuse you or charge for cleaning.
Other drugs (cocaine, MDMA and so on) follow the same logic, with no exception for tourists.

« Cannabis social clubs »

Madrid has private associations called « social clubs » that operate in a grey area. Access is for members only, sometimes by sponsorship, and these clubs can be raided. We do not recommend them: a tourist has no legal safeguard, and use outside the club is still punished.

Offers in the street

In the centre (Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Lavapiés, Malasaña), strangers sometimes whisper « hash, coke » at passers-by. Do not answer and keep walking:

the goods are often cut or fake;
the seller may be tied to a theft or a scam;
the buyer is the one who risks the fine.

Other classic traps are in our scams to avoid in Madrid.

What a tourist risks

A uniformed or plain-clothes police check can lead to seizure and a written report. The fine may be reduced if paid promptly: ask about the procedure on the paper you are given.
A foreigner may be asked for ID: carry your passport or ID card (or a copy).
In a serious case, contact your consulate; emergency numbers are in emergencies and health in Madrid.

Medical cannabis and CBD

Medical cannabis is regulated; CBD products are sold in shops, but only products with very low THC are tolerated. Do not cross a border with cannabis, even medical, without checking your country's import rules.

Alcohol and tobacco

For alcohol in the street, see drinking in the street in Madrid; for tobacco, see smoking in Madrid.

Summary table

Situation	Rule
Using or carrying in public	Serious offence, fine (€601 to €30,000)
Selling or buying to resell	Criminal offence
Use in a strictly private space	Not penalised by the law; carrying restricted
Cannabis social club	Grey area, not recommended