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Cannabis and hemp laws
United Arab Emirates
Updated travel rules
Adult use
Illegal
Medical
Limited
Last reviewed
May 29, 2026
United Arab Emirates
Cannabinoid status board
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United Arab Emirates
Latest news and analysis
FAQ
Common questions
Is marijuana legal in the United Arab Emirates?
Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in the United Arab Emirates and tightly restricted for medical use.
Is CBD legal in the United Arab Emirates?
CBD is restricted in the UAE and not freely available as a consumer product. Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 retains cannabis and its derivatives on Schedule I unless specifically registered for medical use.
Is hemp legal in the United Arab Emirates?
Industrial hemp is not legally distinguished from cannabis in the United Arab Emirates. Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 treats Cannabis sativa as a controlled species without an explicit THC-content carve-out, so the 0.3 percent hemp thresholds standard in the EU and United States have no UAE equivalent.
Can you travel to the United Arab Emirates with cannabis or CBD?
Recreational cannabis import is prohibited. CBD products cannot be imported by individuals.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Seed Legality
Cannabis seeds are narcotics under Decree-Law 30/2021; a separate decree allows only licensed industrial hemp.
Hemp seeds
Restricted
Marijuana seeds
Illegal
Sale
Illegal
Transacting
Illegal
Gifting
Illegal
Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances classifies cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including hemp and hemp seeds, as controlled narcotics, criminalizing their possession, sale, gifting, import and cultivation; first-offence possession carries three months to a year in prison and fines of AED 20,000–100,000. A more recent federal decree-law on the industrial and medical use of industrial hemp permits cultivation of varieties with THC not exceeding 0.3%, but only under a Ministry of Climate Change and Environment licence in designated areas with periodic THC testing. Private individuals have no lawful way to buy, hold or gift viable cannabis seeds.
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This section is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Seed laws change frequently — verify current law with qualified counsel before making decisions.