Is Weed Legal in Guatemala?

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Guatemala under Decree 48-92, the Ley contra la Narcoactividad (Law against Narcoactivity), enacted in 1992. Possession of any quantity is criminalised; trafficking, cultivation, and supply carry sentences of twelve to twenty years and fines from 50,000 to one million quetzales. Personal-use possession is not formally decriminalised, though prosecutors may exercise discretion for very small amounts under the principle of proportionality.

The Ministerio Público (Public Prosecutor's Office) and the Policía Nacional Civil handle enforcement, with the Comisión Contra las Adicciones y el Tráfico Ilícito de Drogas (CCATID) coordinating drug policy. Guatemala has periodically raised the question of regulated decriminalisation at the regional level, but no domestic reform has passed. Tourists and foreign residents are subject to the same penalties as nationals.

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