Kuwait
Is Weed Legal in Kuwait?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Kuwait. Cannabis is controlled under Law No. 74 of 1983 on Combatting Narcotic Drugs, Their Use and Trafficking, as amended by Law No. 48 of 1987 and Law No. 19 of 2016.
Article 31 of Law 74/1983 punishes use, possession for personal use, or acquisition of cannabis with imprisonment from 2 to 10 years and a fine from 1,000 to 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars. Article 32 bis (added by Law 19/2016) raises trafficking to imprisonment from 10 years to life and a fine from 5,000 to 50,000 dinars; Article 32 ter authorizes the death penalty for aggravated trafficking, repeat offenders, or trafficking involving minors. The General Department for Drug Control (GDDC) of the Ministry of Interior leads enforcement; prosecutions proceed before the Criminal Court and on appeal at the Court of Cassation.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Key facts ·
Kuwait
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited
Regulator
General Department for Drug Control (Ministry of Interior); Public Prosecution
Key regulation
Law No. 74 of 1983; Law No. 48 of 1987; Law No. 19 of 2016
Effective
December 31, 1983
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Import and export of cannabis are prohibited. Kuwait General Administration of Customs screens cargo and passengers at Kuwait International Airport and at the seaports of Shuwaikh, Shuaiba, and Doha. The GDDC operates dedicated canine teams and X-ray screening, with cross-border interdiction at the Abdali land crossing with Iraq and the Nuwaiseeb crossing with Saudi Arabia.
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