Is Weed Legal in Curacao?

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Curacao. As a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao maintains its own legislation: the Opium Ordinance 1960 (Opiumlandsverordening 1960), as amended, classifies cannabis (hennep) on the prohibited List II of soft drugs. Unlike European Netherlands policy, Curacao does not operate a tolerated coffeeshop regime; possession, sale, cultivation, and importation are prosecuted under the Ordinance, with penalties including fines and imprisonment of up to four years for possession and longer for trafficking.

The Korps Politie Curacao (KPC), the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST) (a Kingdom-level investigative unit) and Douane Curacao (customs) enforce drug law. Hato International Airport (now Curacao International Airport, CUR) and the Willemstad and Bullenbaai seaports see active interdiction, particularly given Curacao's position as a transhipment point between South America and Europe. Tourists detained with cannabis face prosecution; the European-Netherlands gedoogbeleid (tolerance policy) does not extend to Curacao.

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