Maldives
Is Weed Legal in Maldives?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Recreational marijuana is illegal in the Maldives, and enforcement is among the strictest in South Asia. The Drugs Act (Law No. 17/2011) categorizes cannabis as a Schedule 1 narcotic, and the National Drug Agency (NDA) administers a tiered penalty regime adjudicated by the Drug Court established under the same Act.
Possession of 14 grams or more triggers mandatory rehabilitation followed by sentencing up to 25 years or life imprisonment under Sections 122 and 134. Quantities below the user threshold can still produce 5-year sentences plus court-ordered treatment at the Himmafushi rehabilitation island. Trafficking carries life imprisonment, and Maldives Customs Service officers screen all arrivals at Velána International Airport (Mále) with K-9 units; resort transfers via Trans Maldivian Airways do not bypass customs. The Maldives Police Service Drug Enforcement Department coordinates with Indian and Sri Lankan authorities on regional interdictions.
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 ·
Maldives
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited
Regulator
National Drug Agency; Maldives Police Service Drug Enforcement Department
Key regulation
Drugs Act (Law No. 17/2011)
Effective
December 27, 2011
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Import and export of cannabis are prohibited and aggressively enforced. Maldives Customs operates K-9 screening at Velána International, the Malé postal hub, and Hulhumalé cargo terminal. Concealments in resort-supply containers are a documented prosecution target.
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