“Cannabis Light” in Florence

“Cannabis light” in Florence has sparked intrigue among visitors curious in Italy’s CBD and hemp culture, although the legal situation has shifted dramatically in recent years. This guide dives into what “cannabis light” means in Italy, the current legislation governing hemp and CBD products, recent legal revisions, and what visitors should know before purchasing, carrying, or using cannabis-related items in Florence.

Legal Status of “Cannabis Light” in Italy

In Florence, as throughout Italy, the retail market for low-THC hemp flowers is now prohibited. Following the enactment of Decree-Law 48/2025 (converted into Law 80/2025), the Italian government reclassified hemp inflorescences and their derivatives as narcotics, ending the open sale of these products.

• The Decline of “Cannabis Light”: Previously, specialty shops in Florence operated within a legal framework to sell products containing less than 0.5–0.6% THC. Under the current legislation, the trade and possession of hemp flowers and CBD oils derived from flowers are illegal, and local law enforcement conducts inspections to ensure compliance.

• Legal Industrial Hemp Products: In Florence, legal retail offerings are limited to non-flower hemp derivatives, including seed-based food products, cosmetics, and industrial items made from stalks.

   

• Article 75 and High-THC Prohibition: Recreational cannabis with high THC levels is prohibited. Under Article 75 of DPR 309/1990, the possession of small amounts, typically defined as under 5 grams, is treated as a civil administrative offense rather than a criminal one. However, enforcement by authorities results in administrative penalties, which may include the suspension of driving privileges or restrictions on travel documents.
• Article 73 (Criminal Traffiking Enforcement): Article 73 criminalizes the sale, purchase, or distribution of high-THC cannabis, with penalties ranging from 2 to 6+ years in jail. Street transactions provide a significant danger of police stings, frauds, and contaminated items.

How to Obtain Weed in Florence Legally?

There is no legal way to obtain recreational cannabis in Florence and all over Italy. Florence does not have legal retail or coffeeshops like in other European cities. However, depending on whether you are a tourist, a medical patient going into Italy, the legal system allows several paths with tight limitations:

• Tourists are unable to acquire recreational or medicinal cannabis in Florence’s pharmacies or shops. Italian pharmacies do not fill international prescriptions.
• If you are an EU/Schengen resident with a valid medical prescription, you are permitted to transport up to a 30-day supply of your authorized cannabis treatment into Italy. You must have an Article 75 Schengen Certificate issued by your home country’s health authorities, the prescription in its original pharmacy-labeled packaging, and a medical note outlining the therapy.

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