Is Weed Legal in Barbados?

Last reviewed: August 6, 2026

Barbados decriminalized personal possession of small quantities of cannabis and established a regulated medicinal cannabis industry, while commercial recreational sale remains prohibited. The Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act 2019 created the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) to license cultivation, processing, research, and dispensing for medical patients. The Sacramental Cannabis Act 2019 permits Rastafarian sacramental cultivation and use by certified members of the Rastafarian community for religious purposes. The Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act remains the underlying prohibition statute, enforced by the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department.

The Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Act 2019 decriminalized possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis for adults, replacing arrest with a ticketable fixed penalty of BBD 200 payable within 30 days. Cultivation remains a criminal offence — the 2019 reforms did not legalize home growing, and cultivating cannabis outside a BMCLA or sacramental licence can attract imprisonment of up to five years. Sale, trafficking, and possession above the threshold remain criminal offences with sentences up to 25 years for trafficking. The medical program issues patient cards through approved physicians; the island's first licensed dispensary opened in June 2025 under BMCLA license. Use in public, near schools, or while driving remains prohibited.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.