Since 2022, more than 9,400 cannabis dispensaries have opened in Thailand. Meanwhile, Cambodia stays in a legal gray zone. Cannabis laws in Southeast Asia differ significantly from one country to another. Thailand has made history by legalizing it. In contrast, Laos and Vietnam have strict bans. What about Cambodia? Is cannabis legal in Cambodia?
Is Cannabis Legal in Cambodia? Legal Status in 2025
Cannabis is illegal in Cambodia for both recreational and medical use. But enforcement is inconsistent, especially in tourist hotspots like Phnom Penh. Small-scale use is often ignored, but large-scale activities can lead to fines or jail time.
1. Recreational Use
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Still, tourists and locals often buy “happy pizzas” or joints from street vendors. They face no consequences for this. Police rarely crack down on small amounts, focusing instead on harder drugs like meth.
2. Medicinal Use
There is no formal medical program for cannabis. But traditional medicine has used it for centuries. Unlike Thailand, which legalized medical cannabis in 2018, Cambodia lacks regulated access.
3. Industrial Use
Not possible to remove the adverb. Farmers in rural areas grow cannabis for local use. They mix tradition with survival.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Cambodia
1. Recreational Drug Use
“Happy Pizza” shops and street sales thrive in Phnom Penh, with a focus on tourists as their main customers. Prices range from $205 to $ per gram, but the quality shows significant variation.
2. Mental Health Concerns
Low-quality cannabis mixed with unknown substances can cause health problems. People may experience anxiety and paranoia. Edibles like “Happy Pizza” can cause intense, unpredictable highs.
3. Economic Impact
Cannabis tourism boosts informal sectors, but revenue remains untaxed. By contrast, Cambodia’s regulated market generated $1.2 billion in 2024.
Cannabis Cultivation in Cambodia
Rural areas tolerate small-scale growing, but they consider commercial farming illegal. Farmers risk raids, though penalties are rare for minor operations. Thailand, meanwhile, allows households to grow up to 15 plants with registration.
Cannabis Law in Cambodia and Control
1. How Cambodia Enforces Cannabis Laws
Police rank meth and heroin. Tourists with small amounts of marijuana may pay a bribe of $20 to $50.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
Despite laws, Cambodia’s underground market flourishes. Cannabis imported from Thailand or Laos costs a lot, but trafficking is risky.
Cannabis Penalties in Cambodia
| Offense | Penalty |
| Personal Use | Confiscation or small fines (typically $10–$100). |
| Trafficking | Possessing large quantities can result in 1–5 years in prison, and foreigners may face deportation. |
| Growing | Small-scale offenses are typically overlooked, while commercial violations can lead to up to 5 years in prison. |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Cambodia
Cambodia’s government shows no interest in legalization, fearing backlash from international groups. However, advocates hope Thailand’s experiment—even with its potential 2025 rollback—could inspire regional reform.
Cambodia’s weed laws are full of contradictions: illegal on paper, tolerated in practice. While Thailand races ahead (or backward), Cambodia remains stuck in limbo.
