Indonesia is a beautiful country with beaches, forests, and colorful traditions. But did you know it has some of the strictest rules about cannabis (or marijuana) in the world?
Many countries are starting to allow cannabis use, but Indonesia still says no. The government has strict laws and breaking them will get you into big trouble.
In 2023, the police in Bali (a famous island in Indonesia) caught 36,500 grams of cannabis. That’s twice as much as they found in 2022.
Although using cannabis is illegal, 2 million people in Indonesia are thought to use it. That’s a big debate. Some think the rules should change, others think the laws should stay the same to protect the country.
So what will happen in 2025? Will Indonesia keep its tough stance or will things start to change?
Is Cannabis Legal In Indonesia? Legal Status in 2025
No, cannabis is illegal in Indonesia for recreational, medical, and industrial use. The country enforces some of the strictest drug laws in the world, and cannabis is classified as a Type I narcotic, which means it is considered to have a significant risk of misuse with no recognized medical benefits.
1. Recreational Use
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Possessing any amount will get you a minimum 4-year prison sentence and a fine of up to IDR 8.3 billion. Despite this, cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Indonesia, with 63% of the 3.6 million drug users consuming it.
2. Medical Use
Medical cannabis is not available. In 2022, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court rejected a petition to legalize medical marijuana, citing a lack of local research. Activists argue for its benefits, but even CBD (cannabidiol) is banned except under rare, government-approved research conditions.
3. Industrial
Industrial hemp is illegal. Indonesia’s laws prohibit all parts of the cannabis plant, including seeds and fibers used globally for textiles and biofuels.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Indonesia
Cannabis use in Indonesia is layered with cultural history and modern challenges.
1. Recreational Drug Use
Cannabis consumption has been around since the 10th century in regions like Aceh where it’s mixed with tobacco. Today, hotspots like Denpasar and Jakarta’s nightlife areas have underground sales but the quality is poor and the price is cheap (~ $2/gram)
2. Mental Health Concerns
Tight laws have driven users to synthetic cannabis and that’s a higher health risk, addiction, and psychosis. Overcrowded prisons where 41% of the inmates are drug offenders worsen mental health.
3. Industrial Cannabis Use
Indonesia banned hemp and it stifles economic opportunities. Neighboring Thailand has built a $3.5 billion hemp industry since they legalized it in 2022.
Cannabis Cultivation in Indonesia
Cultivating cannabis is punishable by 5-20 years in prison or the death penalty for large-scale operations.
Aceh’s fertile lands used to support cannabis farming but a military crackdown in the 80s suppressed it. Today it’s still grown illegally, often linked to organized crime.
Law and Control of Cannabis in Indonesia
Indonesia’s cannabis laws are some of the harshest in the world with penalties ranging from decades in prison to death.
1. How Cannabis Laws Are Enforced
Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN) leads rigorous anti-drug operations. Police frequently raid nightclubs and intercept shipments—like the 10 kg of cannabis seized in Bali in 2023. Foreigners face heightened scrutiny; in 2004, an Australian received 20 years for smuggling 4.2 kg.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
Despite risks, black-market cannabis thrives. Vendors on encrypted apps like Telegram and hotspots like Kuta’s Poppies Lane cater to tourists, though products are often laced with harmful additives.
Cannabis Penalties in Indonesia
| Offense | Penalty |
| Personal Use | 4–12 years in prison + fines up to $581,782. |
| Trafficking | 5–20 years, life imprisonment, or death for amounts over 1 kg. |
| Growing | Mandatory death penalty under the 2023 Criminal Code. |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Indonesia
While Lingkar Ganja Nusantara and others lobby for change, progress is slow. Government prioritizes zero tolerance over harm reduction with prison overcrowding and synthetic drugs on the rise. Regional shifts like Thailand’s 2022 medical cannabis legalization add pressure but Indonesia’s policies are not bending.
While cultural and medical advocates continue to fight, travelers and residents must navigate this landscape with extreme care. For now the question “Is cannabis legal in Indonesia?” The answer is simple: No – and the penalties are severe.
