Is Cannabis Legal in The Maldives in 2025?
Cannabis is illegal in the Maldives for recreational, medical, and industrial use. The country enforces strict anti-drug laws, and possession, use, cultivation, or trafficking of cannabis is treated as a serious crime. There are no provisions or frameworks for medical cannabis or industrial hemp.
Recreational Use
- Prohibited or Decriminalized?: Recreational cannabis is fully prohibited in the Maldives. All forms of possession and use are criminal offenses.
- Penalties:
- Possession of small amounts can result in fines, imprisonment, or mandatory rehabilitation.
- Larger quantities or trafficking offenses carry harsher penalties, including long-term imprisonment or even life sentences for severe cases.
- Enforcement: Law enforcement is strict, particularly in urban areas and at ports of entry, where authorities actively monitor for drug trafficking.
Medical Use
- Legality: Medical cannabis is not legalized or recognized in the Maldives.
- Access: There are no legal frameworks for accessing cannabis-based treatments, and the government has not expressed interest in exploring medical cannabis use.
Industrial Hemp
- Permitted or Banned: Industrial hemp is not permitted in the Maldives.
- Regulations: The government does not distinguish between industrial hemp and psychoactive cannabis, treating all cannabis-related plants as illegal.
Cultural Attitudes
Cannabis use is heavily stigmatized in the Maldives, where it is viewed as a serious violation of Islamic values and cultural norms. Advocacy for cannabis legalization or reform is virtually nonexistent, and the population broadly supports the government’s strict drug policies.
Penalties and Enforcement
- Possession: Even small amounts of cannabis can lead to arrest, fines, mandatory rehabilitation, or imprisonment, depending on the quantity and circumstances.
- Trafficking: Cannabis trafficking is treated as a serious crime, with offenders facing long prison sentences or life imprisonment for large-scale operations.
- Cultivation: Growing cannabis is strictly prohibited, with significant penalties for offenders, including imprisonment and land confiscation.
Future Outlook
The Maldives is unlikely to reform its cannabis laws in the foreseeable future. The government maintains a zero-tolerance policy, strongly influenced by Islamic law and societal norms. While global trends in cannabis legalization may influence other countries, the Maldives remains committed to its prohibition-based approach.
Key Takeaways
- Recreational Cannabis: Fully prohibited, with strict penalties for possession, use, and trafficking.
- Medical Cannabis: Not legalized or accessible.
- Industrial Hemp: Banned, with no regulatory framework in place.
- Penalties: Harsh penalties for possession, trafficking, and cultivation.
- Future Potential: Minimal likelihood of reform due to societal, cultural, and religious opposition.
