Is Weed Legal in Bhutan?

Last reviewed: August 6, 2026

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Bhutan. The Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act of Bhutan 2015 (NDPSSA Act), amended in 2018, replaced the 2005 Act and treats cannabis as a Schedule II controlled substance, administered today by the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) — which took over the former Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority's regulatory functions — and prosecuted through the Royal Court of Justice.

Possession of small quantities for personal use can produce a misdemeanor conviction with imprisonment of 1 to 3 years under Section 124 of the Act, while quantities exceeding the threshold prescribed under the Act's implementing regulations trigger felony-grade sentences from 5 years to life, particularly when trafficking is established under Section 117. Cannabis grows wild around Paro and Thimphu and is traditionally used as pig feed; that cultural backdrop does not translate to legal tolerance for human consumption. The Royal Bhutan Police Narcotic Drug Law Enforcement Unit and customs at Paro International Airport conduct routine screening on flights from Delhi, Bangkok, and Kathmandu, the main vectors identified in national narcotics-control reports.

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