When traveling globally, it’s good to know the local laws around cannabis usage.
Here’s a list of countries with the strictest laws and steepest punishments.
Not everyone is as opened minded about cannabis usage as California and Colorado are in the United States. In fact Singapore use statistics from Colorado to show the negative effects of cannabis in support of its strict laws.
When traveling abroad, it’s important to know how the country or state you are visiting views cannabis. In the United States for example, while still illegal at the federal level, the 50 states that make up the union are in varying degrees of legalization. This spans from fully legal to legal only for medicinal use to fully illegal.
Below are some of the worst places in the world to get caught with cannabis, or any drugs for that matter. From deportation to possible death, sometimes its good to leave the stash at home.
Where Not to Get Caught with Cannabis in Asia
Where Not to Get Caught With Cannabis
in Asia
Singapore
Singapore has some of the strictest laws in Southeast Asia. They recently executed 2 men within 3 weeks for trafficking from 1 pound to 1 kilo of cannabis. Last year Singapore hung 11 people, all on drug charges.
On Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) website they have a crystal clear stance on cannabis, classifying it as an illicit drug. There is a strong belief in Singapore that decriminalization or legalization will lead to a deplorable society full of addiction and negative effects. To them, its as bad as much harder, destructive drugs such as heroin.
“Decriminalisation and legalisation of cannabis is not the way to go, especially when our drug situation is well under control. Examples of other countries have clearly shown that a permissive attitude towards the use of cannabis exacts a high cost on society. Therefore, we have strict laws against the trafficking, possession, consumption, and import or export of illicit drugs, including cannabis and cannabis products.”
Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau Website
Singapore is one country where you will be taking a very high risk is possessing or using cannabis. Best to avoid packing cannabis if traveling to Singapore.
You may also want to avoid consuming cannabis for at least 30 days before visiting Singapore. In a 2018 tweet from the official Canadian government travel advice Twitter account, Singapore customs agents may drug test travelers upon arrival. Cannabis is legal nationwide in Canada.
Malaysia
Another country with very strict laws around cannabis and other narcotics in Asia and is a prime trafficking route due to its location is Malaysia.
The Malaysian government have made some progress since the implementation of “Act 234: Dangerous Drug Act 1952 (Revised 1980)” which covers “CONTROL OF RAW OPIUM, COCA LEAVES, POPPY-STRAW AND CANNABIS” as well as “CONTROL OF PREPARED OPIUM, CANNABIS AND CANNABIS RESIN.”
Under Section 39B of the above act, anyone found guilty of trafficking more than 200 grams of cannabis can be sentenced to death. Those caught trafficking smaller amounts of cannabis face prison time and caning.
The government’s zero-tolerance policy towards cannabis extends to foreigners as well. Any foreigner caught possessing or trafficking cannabis in Malaysia can face deportation and a lifetime ban from entering the country.
In 2019 the Malaysian government removed the word “mandatory” from the death sentence for drug traffickers, leaving that sentiment up to the presiding judge to determine.
Malaysia however is may soon soften its stance, entertaining decriminalization of small possession offenses. According to a May 2023 article in the South China Morning Post, Malaysia is moving towards decriminalizing small possession amounts instead sending offenders to a drug rehabilitation program.
The impetus for this change of heart is due to a common problem – jail over crowding. In 2022 alone Malaysia prosecuted over 22,000 people for drug offenses.
China
China is a communist country and with that come reduced freedoms, strict laws and harsher punishments. China is a beautiful country to visit, but perhaps abstain from purchasing, using or possessing cannabis while visiting.
If caught possessing cannabis in China, even being a celebrity’s son won’t help you much. In 2014, Jackie Chan’s son was sentenced to 6 months in jail for possession of 100g of cannabis.
“China severely punishes those caught smuggling or trafficking drugs, including foreigners. Anyone found with more than 50 grams (1.76 ounces) of a controlled substance can face the death penalty.”
“Chinese court rejects Canadian’s appeal against death sentence for drug smuggling“ CNN, August 10, 2021
Where Not to Get Caught With Cannabis
in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia sees combative countries in its region as attempting to corrupt its citizens through the illegal importation of cannabis, hashish and heroin. They therefore have very strict laws prohibiting trafficking and its use.
I don’t think this will come as a shock to many. When it comes to cracking down on crime, Saudi Arabia still stands as one of the more extreme countries when it comes to handing out punishments.
Saudi Arabia is famously known for its ‘eye for an eye’ punishment policy. These have included eye-gouging and even induced paralysis for a man accused of causing the same via stabbing who could not pay restitution.
According to Aljazeera, in 2014 Saudi Arabia beheaded 4 men for smuggling “cannabis”large quantities of hashish.” Those 4 beheadings brought 2014’s total to 32 for the year.
For simple possession however, you may escape with your life. According to an article from the Journal of Alcohol and Drug Dependence entitled “Illegality of Hashish Usage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the government treats smugglers, dealers and users with varying degrees of punishment.
For smugglers, they are viewed as the root cause of the problem, and receive death.
Dealers can receive a fine, prison term or lashings, or all of the above. For repeat offenders the punishments increase from here, leading to possible death.
If a Saudi Arabian citizen is punished for using cannabis, they are seen as an addict and will be ordered to enter a treatment program, and monitored, but not punished.
A foreigner caught using narcotics will be deported. Give Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, one cannot not count on anything and should simply abstain from cannabis – or any drugs – if visiting Saudi Arabia.
Iran
The chances of going to Iran on holiday are most likely slim, however we thought we’d still include them on this list because, well, you may be surprised.
While Iran has executed drug dealers in the past, they have recently raised the minimum amount to qualify for execution from 5 kilos to 50 kilos. For harder drugs you will be sentenced to death for 2 kilos or more. Repeat offenders or those responsible for a drug-related death can also be sentenced to death.
Recreational use in Iran however has recently increased dramatically, with little to no punishment from the Iranian government.
Where Not to Get Caught With Cannabis
in Africa
Nigeria
Nigeria is fairly strict when it comes to cannabis. The NDLEA was formed by Nigeria’s parliament in 1989 to combat drug trafficking. As outlined in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act all narcotics, including cannabis, are strictly forbidden. Anyone convicted for possession or consumption of any quantity can expect a mandatory minimum four year prison term.
