Yemen
Is Weed Legal in Yemen?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Yemen. Cannabis is listed as a controlled substance under Law No. 3 of 1993 on Combatting the Illegal Use of and Trafficking in Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances and the Penal Code (Republican Decree No. 12 of 1994).
Article 35 of Law 3/1993 punishes possession for personal use with imprisonment from 1 to 3 years and a fine; cultivation, manufacture, and trafficking under Articles 33 and 34 carry 10 to 25 years or, where aggravating factors exist or the defendant is a recidivist, the death penalty. The Anti-Narcotics Department of the Ministry of Interior leads enforcement in Aden under the internationally recognized government; in Sana'a and northern governorates, the Houthi-aligned authorities apply a parallel anti-narcotics directorate with comparable formal penalties. Khat, although chewed widely in Yemen, is a separate non-narcotic crop and unrelated to cannabis under domestic 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 ·
Yemen
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited
Regulator
Ministry of Interior Anti-Narcotics Department; Public Prosecution
Key regulation
Law No. 3 of 1993 on Narcotics; Penal Code (1994)
Effective
August 15, 1993
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Import and export of cannabis are prohibited. Customs at Aden International Airport, Sana'a International Airport, and the seaports of Aden, Hodeidah, and Mukalla screen cargo with periodic Coast Guard interdiction in the Gulf of Aden. The ongoing armed conflict has fragmented enforcement, but penalties remain formally in force across all controlled territory.
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