Is Weed Legal in Iran?

Cannabis is illegal for recreational and medical use in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Anti-Narcotic Drugs Law of 1988, with significant amendments in 1997, 2010, and 2017, governs controlled-substance offences. Cannabis is listed as a prohibited substance alongside opium and heroin under Iranian law, although recent amendments have reduced the death penalty for low-level cannabis offences. The Drug Control Headquarters (Setad-e Mobarezeh ba Mavad-e Mokhader), chaired by the President, coordinates national policy with the Anti-Narcotic Police, Revolutionary Courts, and Customs Administration. Islamic Penal Code provisions on intoxicants also apply.

Penalties remain severe. Possession of cannabis below 5 kilograms can attract imprisonment, fines, and lashes under judicial discretion. Possession or trafficking of cannabis above 5 kilograms historically triggered the death penalty; the 2017 amendment raised that threshold to 50 kilograms for cannabis (and over 2 kilograms of industrial drugs), shifting many cases to life imprisonment. Iran reports significant cannabis trafficking from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the Anti-Narcotic Police remain heavily resourced. No medical cannabis program operates through the Food and Drug Organization (FDO).

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