Cannabis remains entirely illegal in Samoa. As of 2025, Samoa upholds one of the strictest anti-cannabis policies in the Pacific. With no legal distinction between recreational, medical, or industrial use. The current legal structure is defined under the Narcotics Act 1967. Which classifies cannabis as a Class B narcotic, making its possession, sale, cultivation, use, and even prescription criminal offenses.
This hardline stance continues despite regional and international shifts toward more progressive cannabis regulation. While countries around the world explore medical access or economic opportunities through industrial hemp. Samoa has chosen to double down on traditional prohibition, backed by long-standing cultural, religious, and governmental opposition.
Samoa’s Cannabis and the Narcotics Act
Samoa’s cannabis policy is grounded in the Narcotics Act 1967, an enduring piece of legislation that criminalizes all aspects of the cannabis plant. Under this law:
- Possession of cannabis—even in small amounts—is a criminal offense and may result in imprisonment for up to 14 years.
- Cultivating cannabis plants, regardless of quantity or intent, is likewise punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
- Distribution or trafficking carries similarly harsh penalties and is treated as a major criminal offense.
Sections 6 and 7 of the Act explicitly prohibit the cultivation and possession of cannabis, making no exceptions for personal, therapeutic, or industrial use. Importantly, the law makes no allowance for judicial discretion based on quantity, medical need, or intent.
Recreational Use of Cannabis in Samoa
Unlike neighboring or global jurisdictions that have begun to decriminalize small-scale possession, Samoa has not adopted any form of decriminalization. Cannabis is illegal in all quantities and for all users. There are no fines or warnings as alternatives to prosecution—possession leads directly to criminal charges.
Law enforcement agencies in Samoa take cannabis offenses seriously, and prosecutions are not uncommon. Arrests for cannabis-related offenses frequently appear in local news, often involving youth or tourists who are unaware of the laws. Travelers are particularly advised to avoid carrying or consuming cannabis while traveling.
Medical Cannabis
Samoa has no legal framework for the use or prescription of medical cannabis.
In 2015, the Samoa Law Reform Commission (SLRC) began a formal review of the country’s outdated narcotics legislation. Its 2017 report included a recommendation to explore a controlled medicinal cannabis program, emphasizing potential benefits for patients with chronic illnesses, epilepsy, or chemotherapy-related symptoms. The report acknowledged the global trend and offered draft guidelines for safely introducing cannabis into the healthcare system under strict regulatory controls.
However, these recommendations were rejected by the Samoan government. Citing concerns over drug misuse, enforcement challenges, and potential conflicts with cultural and religious norms.
Industrial Hemp
Samoan law does not recognize any distinction between industrial hemp (low-THC cannabis used for textiles, paper, or CBD products) and high-THC cannabis used for recreational purposes. As a result, all cannabis plants—regardless of THC content—are banned under the Narcotics Act.
While many countries have moved toward legalizing hemp cultivation as a sustainable agricultural option, Samoa has not taken steps in this direction. There are currently no licenses, pilot programs, or draft legislation that suggests industrial hemp will be legalized in the near future.
This blanket prohibition places Samoa behind other Pacific nations that are beginning to explore hemp as part of economic diversification strategies.
Social and Cultural Attitudes Toward Cannabis
Cannabis is widely stigmatized in Samoa, both culturally and politically. Public discourse on drug use tends to focus on morality, crime prevention, and social responsibility, and the government continues to frame cannabis as a gateway to addiction and social disorder.
Religious institutions, which play a strong role in Samoan life and policymaking, have also voiced opposition to legalization or leniency. This alignment between church, state, and law enforcement has resulted in a policy landscape where reform proposals face substantial resistance, both legislatively and in public opinion.
That said, anecdotal reports suggest that cannabis use continues among segments of the population, particularly youth. These cases remain hidden due to fear of prosecution, stigma, and lack of access to open dialogue or public health services.
Penalties and Enforcement
Penalties for cannabis offenses in Samoa are some of the most severe in the region. There are no mechanisms for diversion or rehabilitation in minor cases, and the legal process treats all cannabis offenses as criminal, regardless of amount or context.
- Possession: Up to 14 years imprisonment
- Cultivation: Up to 14 years imprisonment
- Sale/Trafficking: Extended prison terms, potentially exceeding 14 years
- Medical Use: No allowances or exemptions
- Industrial Hemp: Prohibited under the same laws as cannabis
Law enforcement maintains active surveillance of drug-related offenses, and cannabis continues to be a high-priority area for local policing and customs inspections.
While the 2017 Law Reform Commission report offered a potential pathway to medicinal cannabis legalization, the government’s decision to reject those proposals has solidified Samoa’s continued commitment to prohibition. By contrast, countries like New Zealand have held national referendums on recreational cannabis and developed legal medical frameworks, highlighting Samoa’s more conservative position in the region.
Unless regional political trends or significant internal advocacy emerges, Samoa is unlikely to reconsider its cannabis policy. The government remains focused on deterrence, enforcement, and moral messaging, leaving little space for progressive cannabis legislation.
