Is Weed Legal in Iraq?

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Iraq and penalties are severe. Federal Law No. 50 of 2017 on Drugs and Psychotropic Substances criminalizes possession, cultivation, trafficking, and consumption, with penalties up to life imprisonment for trafficking and the death penalty reserved for large-scale international trafficking.

Possession of any quantity for personal use carries 1 to 3 years imprisonment plus fines of IQD 5-10 million (about USD 3,800-7,600). Cultivation triggers 5 to 15 years. The Ministry of Interior's Anti-Narcotics Directorate leads enforcement; the Kurdistan Regional Government operates parallel narcotics enforcement in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok governorates under the same federal statute. Iraqi Airways and border crossings at Trebil (Jordan) and Mehran (Iran) screen aggressively. Iraq has seen a documented surge in cannabis trafficking from Lebanon and Syria since 2020, and prosecutions have intensified.

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