Tonga
Is Weed Legal in Tonga?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Recreational marijuana is illegal in the Kingdom of Tonga. Cannabis is a Class A illicit drug under the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2003, administered by the Tonga Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce and the Tonga Customs and Trade Service.
The Illicit Drugs Control Act criminalizes possession, use, cultivation, supply, and trafficking. Penalties include fines up to TOP 1 million and imprisonment up to 30 years for trafficking, with lesser sentences for personal possession. Fua'amotu International Airport and Vava'u Customs screen passengers from Auckland, Sydney, Fiji, and Samoa. There is no medical cannabis framework, and traditional or religious carve-outs are not recognized under Tongan law.
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 ·
Tonga
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited
Regulator
Tonga Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce; Ministry of Justice
Key regulation
Illicit Drugs Control Act 2003
Effective
July 25, 2003
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Import and export of cannabis are prohibited. Tonga Customs screens passengers and parcels at Fua'amotu International Airport, Queen Salote Wharf in Nuku'alofa, and Vava'u entry points. Trafficking quantities trigger long custodial sentences and seven-figure fines under the Illicit Drugs Control Act.
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