Is Cannabis Legal In Vanuatu in 2025?
Cannabis is illegal in Vanuatu for recreational use, but medical and industrial cannabis cultivation is legal under strict regulations. Recreational possession, use, and sale are criminal offenses, while licensed medical and industrial hemp cultivation is permitted for export purposes only.
Recreational Use
- Prohibited or Decriminalized?: Recreational cannabis is fully prohibited in Vanuatu.
- Penalties:
- Possession of any amount can lead to fines up to VT 100 million or imprisonment up to 20 years.
- Trafficking or unauthorized cultivation carries severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment.
- Enforcement: Law enforcement is strict, focusing on preventing local use and distribution.
Medical Use
- Legality: Medical cannabis is legal in Vanuatu, but only for export purposes.
- Access:
- The Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Act allows for licensed cultivation and export but does not permit domestic medical use.
- Licenses are granted only to qualified investors with at least 10 years of industry experience.
Industrial Hemp
- Permitted or Banned?: Industrial hemp cultivation is permitted in Vanuatu but strictly for export.
- Regulations:
- Hemp production is restricted to designated islands, including Efate, Santo, Malekula, Tanna, and Erromango.
- Only licensed investors can cultivate hemp, and all products must be exported.
Cultural Attitudes
While recreational cannabis remains illegal, the government supports medical and industrial cannabis cultivation as an economic opportunity. Public sentiment is cautious, with an emphasis on strict regulation and oversight.
Penalties and Enforcement
- Possession: Even small amounts can lead to fines up to VT 100 million or imprisonment up to 20 years.
- Trafficking: Severe criminal penalties, including long-term imprisonment, apply to unauthorized sales or distribution.
- Cultivation: Illegal for personal use, but licensed cultivation for export is permitted.
Future Outlook
Vanuatu has embraced cannabis for export, but domestic medical use and recreational legalization remain off the table. The government is focused on regulation and international compliance, with no current plans for further legalization.
Key Takeaways
- Recreational Cannabis: Illegal, with strict penalties for possession, use, and trafficking.
- Medical Cannabis: Legal, but only for export, with no domestic patient access.
- Industrial Hemp: Legal, but strictly regulated and limited to export production.
- Penalties: Harsh consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and long-term sentences for unauthorized cultivation or distribution.
- Future Potential: No plans for domestic legalization, with the government focused solely on regulated export markets.
