Is CBD Legal in Bhutan?

CBD is illegal in Bhutan. The Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) under the Ministry of Health does not register CBD products, and the NDPSSA Act 2015 treats all cannabis derivatives as controlled substances without a separate hemp or CBD class.

Retail sales in Thimphu and Paro pharmacies are not authorized; DRA inspections target the few wellness retailers along Norzin Lam who have imported labeled hemp-CBD products through informal channels. There is no compassionate-use pathway for Epidiolex, and patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy are referred to Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, which manages care without cannabinoid pharmaceuticals. Travelers arriving at Paro International should not assume Indian or Nepalese CBD products are lawful; the Royal Bhutan Police treat them as controlled-substance imports requiring DRA permits that are not issued for retail products.

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