Cannabis remains strictly illegal in Saudi Arabia as of 2025. The country enforces one of the harshest drug policies in the world. Leading with a zero legal tolerance for recreational, medical, or industrial cannabis use. Rooted in Islamic law, Saudi Arabia’s drug legislation criminalizes all cannabis-related activity, including possession, cultivation, and trafficking. Their is no distinction between hemp and high-THC marijuana.
Is Cannabis Legal in Saudi Arabia? Legal Status in 2025
Cannabis is fully prohibited in Saudi Arabia. There is no recognition of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, no distinction for industrial hemp, and no decriminalization for recreational use. The law criminalizes even trace amounts of cannabis. Violations are punished with severe penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment to, in extreme trafficking cases, the death penalty.
Unlike regional neighbors such as Lebanon, which legalized medical cannabis in 2020 for export purposes, or the United Arab Emirates, which recently softened penalties for first-time possession, Saudi Arabia has made no moves toward reform.
Recreational Use of Cannabis in Saudi Arabia
Recreational cannabis use is entirely illegal. The possession of even small amounts is treated as a criminal offense. It will lead to arrest, detention, and in some cases, corporal punishment. First-time offenders may receive months in jail and public lashing. Although recent reforms have replaced lashing with discretionary sentences in many cases.
Repeat offenders, or those caught with quantities suggesting intent to distribute, face far harsher sentences. Including long-term imprisonment or even the death penalty for large-scale trafficking. Authorities apply these laws uniformly to both citizens and foreign nationals. Arrests at airports or in private residences are not uncommon.
Saudi Arabia does not operate on a decriminalization model, and there are no thresholds for “personal use.” All possession is criminal, and enforcement is strict.
Medical Cannabis
Medical cannabis is not recognized in Saudi Arabia under any circumstance. The government has not established a regulatory framework for cannabis-based treatment, nor are such medications available through licensed healthcare providers.
There is no legal allowance for the use of imported cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals, even those that are legal in the U.S., EU, or other Gulf states. Possession of medical cannabis products—even with a foreign prescription—is treated the same as illegal possession.
There have been no public debates, policy reviews, or health sector proposals indicating that medical cannabis legalization is under consideration.
Industrial Hemp
Industrial hemp is also illegal in Saudi Arabia. The country’s laws do not distinguish between high-THC marijuana and low-THC hemp varieties. This means that cultivation of cannabis plants in any form is banned.
Despite hemp’s non-intoxicating properties and economic potential in textiles, food products, and sustainable construction, there are currently no state-run pilot programs, licensing opportunities, or legal exceptions for hemp agriculture.
Saudi Arabia’s agricultural modernization efforts have focused elsewhere, and hemp remains off the table for now.
Enforcement and Penalties
Saudi law enforcement agencies are aggressive in their pursuit of drug violations. The country ranks among the strictest in the world for drug enforcement, with penalties that can be swift and severe.
- Possession: Individuals caught with cannabis face jail time. Ranging from several months to several years depending on the quantity and prior offenses. Public lashing has historically been part of sentencing, although it is less commonly applied in recent years.
- Trafficking: Drug trafficking carries extremely harsh penalties. Foreign nationals and citizens alike have received long prison sentence. In some cases, capital punishment has been applied for large-scale smuggling operations.
- Foreign Nationals: Whether for personal or medical use—can expect immediate detention, legal prosecution, and eventual deportation after serving a sentence.
Cultural Attitudes and Religious Influence
Saudi Arabia’s cannabis laws are closely tied to Islamic legal principles, which prohibit intoxicants of all kinds. This religious framework influences both legislation and public opinion, and as a result, cannabis use is viewed not only as a legal violation but as a moral and social threat.
Public health campaigns in the country focus on drug avoidance and emphasize the dangers of addiction and moral degradation. There is no organized domestic advocacy for legalization or reform. All while the general public remains supportive of the current legal approach.
Future Outlook
As of 2025, there are no signs of change in Saudi Arabia’s cannabis policy. Regional neighbors such as the UAE and Lebanon have begun to explore legal frameworks for limited medical or commercial use. Saudi Arabia continues to maintain a strict prohibition stance with no differentiation between cannabis categories.
Given the country’s cultural, religious, and political environment, significant reforms appear highly unlikely in the near future. Saudi authorities remain focused on deterrence, surveillance, and criminal enforcement. Any deviation from this model would require a profound shift in national policy and public sentiment.
