Is Cannabis / THC legal in Cambodia?

Also known as: weed, marijuana

Legal status

Group I narcotic (no soft/hard split, alongside heroin/meth); illegal; possession ~2-5 years (small <1 g up to 1 year); trafficking up to LIFE; NO death penalty

Consequences if caught

Cambodia ABOLISHED the death penalty in 1989 (constitutional), there is NO death penalty for any drug offence; the maximum is LIFE imprisonment. Cannabis is a Group I narcotic with NO soft/hard distinction (treated alongside heroin and methamphetamine) and no medical/recreational/industrial provision. Possession or 'keeping' carries about 2-5 years (up to 10); a small amount (<1 g) up to 1 year plus about a US$500 fine, and more than 10 g up to 5 years; trafficking (Art 40) up to life. ENFORCEMENT: a 2017 anti-drug campaign sharply increased arrests and post-2019 tourist-area enforcement tightened, foreigners are routinely jailed, and the old 'smokers' paradise' reputation is OUTDATED.

If prescribed or medical

No medical, recreational, or industrial cannabis provision exists; cannabis is a Group I narcotic.

Documentation

Cambodia ABOLISHED the death penalty in 1989 (constitutional); the maximum penalty for any drug offence is LIFE imprisonment. There is no medical, recreational, or industrial cannabis provision. Enforcement tightened sharply after a 2017 anti-drug campaign and post-2019 in tourist areas, foreigners are routinely jailed and the old 'smokers' paradise' reputation is OUTDATED. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Cambodia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.