Is Weed Legal in Panama?

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Panama. Medical cannabis is legal under Law 242 of October 13, 2021, which created the regulatory framework for medicinal and therapeutic use. Decree 25 of January 16, 2024 issued the operational regulations and unlocked program implementation after a two-year delay. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) is the lead authority, with the National Customs Authority (ANA) and the National Police controlling imports and movement. Adult possession, cultivation, or sale for non-medical purposes falls under Law 13 of 1994 and the Penal Code, with trafficking offenses carrying 5 to 12 years of imprisonment.

Law 242 authorizes seven license categories covering cultivation, manufacturing, research, import, export, distribution, and dispensing. Licenses run for five years and require Panamanian-majority ownership for cultivation. Patients access cannabis-derived medicines through registered physicians and a national patient registry maintained by MINSA. Products must be manufactured to pharmaceutical standards, dispensed in licensed pharmacies, and cannot be smoked in flower form — only oils, extracts, and standardized preparations are permitted. Home cultivation remains banned. The program became operational in 2026: MINSA has granted seven distribution licenses, the country's first dedicated medicinal cannabis pharmacy opened on January 22, 2026, and imported pharmaceutical-grade products — initially CBD-based, with THC medicines subject to product registration and tighter controls — are now dispensed through authorized pharmacies. Penalties for unlicensed activity are significant.

Last reviewed: August 6, 2026.

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