There are actually only two countries where cannabis is legal: Uruguay and Canada. Cannabis was legalized across Canada for both medical and recreational purposes in October of 2018. Marijuana was legalized in Uruguay back in 2013. Other countries have lighter punishments and a few regions where cannabis is legalized, but only those two have legalization across the country.
If you’re a regular cannabis user, you’ve likely stopped appreciating the ease with which you can access cannabis, edibles and vapes.
That’s why we thought it would be fun to remember how lucky we have it here in Canada by listing the countries with the harshest cannabis laws, in order of not-so-menacing (but still terrible), to downright terrifying.
Countries with the Strictest Cannabis Laws
United Arab Emirates
You are not allowed to possess or consume any amount of cannabis or resin, with a prison sentence of 4 years or more in place for offenders, plus fines. Dealing cannabis will result in a 10- to 15-year prison sentence and sizeable fines. Although rare, there is a law that states that traffickers may be put to death.
Japan
A first-time cannabis offender could find themselves doing hard labour in a Japanese prison for up to 5 years. An individual involved in the production, sale, and transport of the drug faces harsher sentencing, up to twice the imprisonment length.
Tunisia
Following Islamic law, Tunisia will jail you for up to one year if you are caught with a small quantity of cannabis, along with a fine. Dealers get up to 10 years and smugglers or traffickers often get life.
Turkey
Anyone possessing or purchasing cannabis will receive a 2 to 5-year prison sentence. Because Turkey is a gateway to Europe for Middle-Eastern cannabis producers, importers or exporters of the drug face harsh sentences of 20 to 30 years behind bars. And the sentence for the sale or transport of cannabis within Turkey is 10 to 15 years.
Indonesia
As per Indonesia’s laws, Cannabis is a type-1 drug, meaning it is grouped alongside cocaine, meth, and heroin. The punishment if you are caught smoking, eating, or in possession? Up to 12 years in the slammer. Anyone involved in the cannabis trade often receives 20 years (life) in prison when caught. As a tourist smoking a joint, you could land behind bars for 4 years. Unless you put together a large bribe for police.
Saudi Arabia
This country does not take cannabis personal use lightly, with a month to 2 years imprisonment for those caught, plus whippings, even for first-time offenders. Dealing small amounts of cannabis will get you 2 to 10 years and if you’re a repeat offender, you could be hanged. The same goes for first-time dealers dealing in larger quantities.
Until 2020, almost half of all executions were for drug offences. Thankfully, the number of drug-related executions dropped significantly last year because non-violent crimes received more leniency. As per the cannabis laws, a foreigner would get the same treatment. Non-locals typically made up half of all Saudi Arabian death sentences.
The Philippines
Cannabis is considered a serious drug in the Philippines. In 2016, the newly inaugurated president Rodrigo Duterte made his intentions very clear and called for a war on drugs. Possession of 500 grams or more will get you life in jail and major fines, while a death sentence is still possible. The same goes for importers and sellers. Possession of 300 to 500 grams is 20 years, and less than 300 grams is 12 to 20 years. A user that tests positive does a minimum of 6 months in rehab, and a repeat offender gets serious jail time.
Singapore
The cannabis laws here are some of the strictest in the world. Getting caught with anything over 30 grams is considered trafficking and will get you up to 10 years of imprisonment and 24 terrifying cane strokes. Singapore will put you to death if you traffic 500 grams of cannabis or more. And foreigners are not excluded. Even the smallest trace found in your system at the airport would mean arrest, jail time, and fines. So, if you plan to visit Singapore, no brownies the month before your visit.
Brunei
Sharing the same outlook on drugs as the Philippines and Singapore, Brunei will put you to death for possession of 600 grams or more. 400 to 600 grams means and you get life (20-30 years) and 15 whips. Trafficking and import or export of 500 grams is, you guessed it, death. Ouch.
Cannabis Laws In Canada
If you live in Canada, the land of legalization, you’re in luck: take a look through our online dispensary and purchase cannabis, edibles, vaporisers, concentrates, and more at your leisure!