Is Weed Legal in Russia?

Cannabis is illegal in Russia for both recreational and medical use. Federal Law No. 3-FZ of 8 January 1998 On Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances places cannabis, cannabis resin, and tetrahydrocannabinol on Schedule I of the national list of controlled substances approved by Government Resolution No. 681 of 30 June 1998. Schedule I substances are prohibited from civilian circulation entirely, with no medical exception in routine practice.

Criminal Code Article 228 governs personal possession without intent to distribute. Possession of a significant quantity — 6 grams or more of herbal cannabis, or 2 grams or more of hashish — triggers criminal liability of up to 3 years' imprisonment. A large amount (100g cannabis, 25g hashish) carries 3 to 10 years. An especially large amount (100kg cannabis or 10kg hashish under Government Resolution No. 1002 of 1 October 2012) carries 10 to 15 years. Sub-threshold possession falls under Administrative Offences Code Article 6.8, drawing fines of 4,000-5,000 rubles or up to 15 days arrest. Article 231 criminalizes illicit cultivation, with penalties scaling to 8 years for large-scale grows. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) handles enforcement.

Foreign nationals caught with cannabis face the same Criminal Code provisions plus near-certain deportation and re-entry bans. High-profile prosecutions in 2022 demonstrated that even trace residues in vape cartridges can trigger Article 228 charges. There is no decriminalization pathway and no medical cannabis program.

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