Is Cannabis / THC legal in Chile?

Legal status

Personal near-term use a misdemeanor (falta), NOT a crime (Law 20.000 Art 50) — no statutory gram threshold; public/group use penalized; medical legal since 2015; cultivation an offence unless justified personal use

Consequences if caught

Under Law 20.000 Art 50, possession or consumption of a small quantity for exclusive and near-in-time personal use is NOT a crime — it is a misdemeanor/infraction (falta) punishable by a fine, drug-education, or community service, never prison. There is NO statutory gram threshold; a judge assesses 'personal use' case-by-case. Private personal use is permitted, but consumption in groups or public places is penalized (intent to supply is presumed unless personal use is proven). Cultivation (Art 8) is an offence unless justified as exclusive personal near-term use (the '6 plants' figure circulating is from reform BILLS, not current law). Micro-trafficking (Art 4) carries 541 days–5 years; trafficking (Art 3) 5–15 years. Medical cannabis has been legal since 2015 (Supreme Decree 84; pharmacy, prescription). [contested] A 2025–26 reform tightening penalties and narrowing the personal-use defence is before the Constitutional Court (about 37 members appealed) — confirm the current status; the Art 50 framework above is the stable core.

If prescribed or medical

Medical cannabis has been legal since 2015 (Supreme Decree 84; pharmacy, prescription); recreational cultivation is an offence unless justified as exclusive personal use.

Documentation

Personal near-term use of a small quantity is a misdemeanor (falta) — a fine, drug-education, or community service, never prison; there is NO statutory gram threshold and a judge assesses 'personal use' case-by-case. Public or group consumption is penalized. Medical cannabis has been legal since 2015 (Supreme Decree 84; pharmacy, prescription). [contested] A 2025–26 reform tightening this is before the Constitutional Court — confirm the current status. 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 Chile’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.