Is Weed Legal in Philippines?
May 29, 2026
Weed is illegal in the Philippines under RA 9165. Possession penalties range from 12 years to life in prison and fines up to 10 million PHP.
Weed is illegal in the Philippines under RA 9165. Possession penalties range from 12 years to life in prison and fines up to 10 million PHP.
Recreational cannabis is illegal in the Philippines and classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Possession of 500 grams or more carries life imprisonment and a fine of between 500,000 and 10 million PHP; smaller quantities still carry mandatory minimums of twelve years and one day to twenty years. Cultivation, sale, importation, or maintenance of a den can carry life imprisonment or, prior to RA 9346 in 2006, the death penalty.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is the lead enforcement body, with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) setting policy and the Department of Justice prosecuting cases. The country's anti-drug enforcement environment has been intensive, and possession charges routinely produce long custodial sentences. Diplomatic missions advise foreign nationals that no medical or personal-use defence is recognised.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Illegal
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA); Dangerous Drugs Board
0% — all THC products prohibited
Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002)
Import and export of cannabis in any form is prohibited under RA 9165. The Bureau of Customs coordinates with PDEA to interdict shipments; offenses carry life imprisonment.
