Is Cannabis / THC legal in Eswatini?
- Legal status
- Cannabis is a controlled drug under the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs Act — trafficking carries imprisonment together with a fine; no legal recreational or medical regime; the maximum penalty is imprisonment
- Consequences if caught
- Cannabis is a controlled drug in Eswatini under the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs Act (with Pharmacy Act provisions), with no legal recreational regime. In Eswatini, drugs fall under the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs Act together with provisions of the Pharmacy Act. Trafficking carries imprisonment together with a fine; the precise statute and penalty terms are left to confirmation against the current law. The maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment. Eswatini retains the death penalty for the gravest non-drug crimes and is abolitionist in practice (no executions in decades); its drug legislation does not provide a death penalty — the maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment.
- If prescribed or medical
- Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.
- Documentation
- In Eswatini, drugs fall under the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs Act together with provisions of the Pharmacy Act. Trafficking carries imprisonment together with a fine; the precise statute and penalty terms are left to confirmation against the current law. The maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment. Eswatini retains the death penalty for the gravest non-drug crimes and is abolitionist in practice (no executions in decades); its drug legislation does not provide a death penalty — the maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment. Cannabis is a controlled drug under the same law, with no legal recreational or medical regime. 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 Eswatini’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →