Is Cannabis Legal In Suriname in 2025?
Cannabis is illegal in Suriname for recreational and medical use. The country enforces strict anti-drug laws, and possession, use, cultivation, or trafficking of cannabis is considered a criminal offense. There is no legal framework for medical cannabis, and industrial hemp is not regulated.
Recreational Use
- Prohibited or Decriminalized?: Recreational cannabis is fully prohibited in Suriname.
- Penalties:
- Possession of any amount of cannabis is considered a criminal offense, punishable by fines or imprisonment.
- Larger quantities or intent to distribute can lead to long-term imprisonment.
- Trafficking offenses are treated with severe penalties, including significant prison sentences.
- Enforcement: Law enforcement is strict, and arrests for cannabis-related offenses are common. Suriname has a zero-tolerance policy toward drug-related crimes.
Medical Use
- Legality: Medical cannabis is not legalized in Suriname.
- Access: There are no legal pathways for medical cannabis treatment, and the government has not expressed interest in legalizing cannabis-based therapies.
Industrial Hemp
- Permitted or Banned: Industrial hemp is not legally regulated in Suriname.
- Regulations:
- There is no distinction between industrial hemp and psychoactive cannabis under Suriname’s drug laws.
- Hemp production, sale, and use remain unregulated and illegal.
Cultural Attitudes
Cannabis use is stigmatized in Suriname, where it is associated with criminal activity and substance abuse. Advocacy for cannabis legalization is minimal, and discussions around reform are rare. However, as global attitudes shift, some business and agricultural sectors have shown interest in hemp cultivation.
Penalties and Enforcement
- Possession:
- Any possession is a criminal offense, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
- Larger amounts or repeat offenses carry harsher penalties.
- Trafficking: Cannabis trafficking is a serious crime, with offenders facing long-term imprisonment and heavy fines.
- Cultivation: Unauthorized cultivation of cannabis is illegal, with strict penalties. There are no provisions for legal hemp cultivation.
Future Outlook
Suriname is unlikely to reform its cannabis laws in the near future. The government remains committed to a prohibition-based approach, and societal attitudes do not favor legalization or decriminalization. However, there is growing interest in industrial hemp as a potential economic opportunity.
Key Takeaways
- Recreational Cannabis: Fully prohibited, with strict penalties for possession, use, and trafficking.
- Medical Cannabis: Not legalized, and no access to cannabis-based treatments.
- Industrial Hemp: Not regulated, with no legal distinction from psychoactive cannabis.
- Penalties: Harsh penalties for possession, trafficking, and cultivation.
- Future Potential: Possible discussions on industrial hemp in the future, but recreational and medical cannabis legalization remain unlikely.
