In 2023, Iran’s Anti-Narcotics Police seized more than 600 tons of cannabis. This data originates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
By 2025, cannabis rules in Iran will still be strict. However, more people are curious about its medicinal and industrial uses.
Is Cannabis Legal in Iran? Legal Status in 2025
No. Cannabis is fully illegal in Iran for recreational, medicinal, or industrial use. The country follows strict Islamic laws against drugs, and penalties are severe. But, Iran’s government allows limited research on cannabis for medical purposes.
For example, in 2022, Tehran University began studying cannabis-based treatments for chronic pain. As of 2025, no legal cannabis products are sold to the public.
1. Recreational Use
Recreational cannabis use is 100% illegal. Possession of even small amounts can lead to jail time, fines, or physical punishment.
A 2024 report from the Iranian Health Ministry found that 1.2 million adults, or 2% of the population, still secretly use cannabis.
2. Medicinal Use
Medicinal cannabis is not legal for public use. Only government-approved researchers can study cannabis extracts. In 2025, Iran’s Food and Drug Authority (IFDA) did not approve any cannabis-based medicines.
3. Industrial Use
Industrial hemp (cannabis with low THC) is also banned. Iran treats hemp and psychoactive cannabis the same way. This is different from countries like India and Japan.
Cannabis Law and Control in Iran
1. How Iran Applies Cannabis Laws
Iran enforces drug laws through the Anti-Narcotics Police and Islamic courts. Judges follow the Islamic Penal Code, which mandates harsh punishments.
For example, repeat offenders face amputation or execution. In 2024, authorities executed 320 people for drug crimes, though most involved heroin or meth.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
Despite risks, Iran’s illegal cannabis market is huge. The UNODC estimates that $1.5 billion of cannabis is smuggled through Iran each year to Europe and the Middle East. The Sistan-Baluchestan province borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, making it a hotspot for trafficking.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Iran
1. Recreational Drug Use
Cannabis is the second most used illegal drug in Iran after opium. A 2025 study by Shiraz University found that 68% of marijuana users are men aged 18–35. Many smoke it mixed with tobacco (called “glass”).
2. Mental Health Concerns
Heavy cannabis use is rising among Iranian youth. A 2024 report from the Tehran Psychiatry Center found a 30% rise in anxiety disorders linked to marijuana use in people under 25.
3. Industrial Cannabis Use
Iran has no legal hemp industry. But, farmers in northern regions secretly grow weed for fiber, risking arrest.
Cannabis Cultivation in Iran
Growing cannabis is illegal. Still, it’s secretly farmed in forests, especially in Gilan and Mazandaran. Police destroyed 12,000 cannabis farms in 2024. The government grows no legal weed, even for research.
Cannabis Penalties in Iran
| Offense | Penalty |
| Personal Use | 1–5 years in jail + 74 lashes. |
| Trafficking | Execution by hanging (1,200+ executed since 2020). |
| 5–10 years in jail (Growing 1–10 plants). |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Iran
Iran shows no signs of legalizing cannabis soon. The government views it as a “gateway drug” and a threat to Islamic values.
The younger activists and doctors are pushing for medical research reforms. A 2025 survey by IranPoll found that 22% of Iranians support regulated medicinal cannabis. For now, though, Iran’s cannabis laws remain frozen in time.
Cannabis is fully illegal in Iran, with punishments ranging from lashes to execution. Iran’s strict laws aim to stop drug abuse and smuggling. The world debates its benefits. Until attitudes shift, cannabis will remain a dangerous taboo in this country.
