Cannabis Legalization

Cannabis market in North Macedonia is legal for medical purposes, but illegal for recreational purposes.

On February 9, 2016, the Macedonian Parliament Health Committee gave its approval for the legalization of medical marijuana. The Republic of Macedonia accelerated support and availability of medicinal cannabis at dispensaries in May 2016 after legalizing cannabis for medical use only. Medical cannabis is regulated by the Macedonian Law on Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Permitted forms of cannabis include flower, resin, extract and tincture.

From June 2016, medicinal cannabis with a THC content of more than 0.2% became available by prescription for conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, HIV and MS. Medical cannabis containing less than 0.2% THC can be acquired in pharmacies.

Europe Cannabis Business Plan Sample

North Macedonia was the second country in the Balkans, after Croatia, to legalise medical cannabis. However, the system in North Macedonia is somewhat different from most countries in Europe to have taken this step, since the country has adopted the Canadian open model of cannabis-based products, rather than producing cannabis through a state monopoly.

Prior to starting the sowing/planting of cannabis, the licensed entity must obtain an approval for the sowing/planting of cannabis from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE).

To produce cannabis extracts, an approval from the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AMMD) must be obtained.

North Macedonia is also an exporter of medical cannabis products. Initially, only the following products could be exported: food with less than 0.001% THC; border line products (low THC products that contain other cannabinoids, such as CBD) between 0.001% and 0.2% THC; and medicine containing more than 0.2% THC.

North Macedonia’s cannabis laws were amended in 2021 through the Draft Law on the Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to better align with EU regulations and various conventions. The amended law allows the export of dry flower obtained by cultivating cannabis for medical purposes. To export medical cannabis border line products and medicines, a permit from the AMMD must be obtained. Export permits are valid for three months. It also creates a requirement for licensed cannabis companies to give 10% of the net profit generated in the current year to an appropriate account in the Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia.

North Macedonia’s former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev predicts that cannabis cultivation could generate an income of 250 million euros for the country.

How to Start a Cannabis Business in North Macedonia?

An applicant must submit a request to the MH for a cultivation license with the following information:

1. Basic data about the applicant (name of the legal entity, headquarters, location of the space/area where cannabis will be grown).
2. Data about the responsible person in the procedure for obtaining a permit for cannabis cultivation (name and surname, professional training, telephone).
3. Proof of registration of the legal entity in the Central Register of the Republic of Macedonia.
4. Proof of ownership of the space/area where cannabis is grown or a lease agreement or property deed.
5. Report/plan for cannabis cultivation.
6. Proof of paid administrative fee and fees for processing the request.

Additionally, the following production license requirements must be satisfied:

• Providing adequate premises, areas or land for cultivating, drying, processing and storing, and being properly equipped to cultivate and process.
• The space to be protected with a fence of at least four metres in height, with razor wire in front coiled in three rows and barbed wired above the paling.
• 24-hour video surveillance covering the entire facility.
• 24-hour physical security.
• The business to employ at least four people.
• At least one employee to be a graduate pharmacist and another an agronomist, both with at least three years’ experience working in their respective fields.

Within 30 days of the receipt of consent from the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, the MH will issue an approval for the cultivation license.

Prior to starting the sowing/planting of cannabis, the licensed entity must obtain an approval for the sowing/planting of cannabis from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE). The approval will be issued within 15 days of the receipt of the request.

North Macedonian Cannabis Market

North Macedonia is one of the largest cannabis exporting countries in Europe. It exported 5,765 kg of cannabis to Germany in the first three quarters of 2025 – up by 116% from 2,666 kg in 2024 – placing it in the fourth rank among Germany’s cannabis importers, after Canada, Portugal, and Denmark. North Macedonian cannabis is also exported to Australia and Poland.

How to Export Medical Cannabis to Europe

From May 2016 to May 2018, 5 cannabis cultivation licenses and 2 cannabis extraction licenses were issued. Another 31 cultivation and 2 extraction licenses were issued in 2019. Since the legalization of medical cannabis in Macedonia in 2016, the government had granted licences to 67 companies for the growth and production of cannabis oil according to data available from 2022. As of 2025, it is estimated that around 100 companies are licensed to produce cannabis in North Macedonia.

Cannabis Market in North Macedonia Infographics

How Can Cannabusinessplans Templates Help Start or Grow Your Cannabis Business?

The majority of cannabis licensing programs require the submission of a business plan as part of the application for a cannabis license. Even if it is not mandated by law, a business plan is essential for securing funding and assisting an applicant in understanding how much money it will take to start a cannabis business and how much profit it could make.

A well-structured business plan can make all the difference in helping you demonstrate your proposed cannabis business’ compliance with regulations and its operational viability.

Our complete cannabis business plan template package is everything you need to create a professional business plan for a cannabis business with expert financials and projections. A complete cannabis business plan template package includes:

• Excel Financial Model: change variables and immediately see the impact, break down operational and capital costs, know how much it will take to get into the business and the potential profits.
• Word Business Plan: value proposition, market analysis, marketing strategy, operating plan, organizational structure, financial plan and more.
• PowerPoint Pitch Deck: provide a quick overview of your cannabis business plan.

Cannabis Manufacturing Business Plan Sample, North Macedonia

Templates for other countries are available at cannabusinessplans.com.