Is Cannabis / THC legal in Iraq?

Legal status

Cannabis prohibited under Law No. 50 of 2017 — cultivating/trafficking punishable by DEATH or life (Arts 27/28); possession/personal use 1–3 years + fine; no fixed statutory quantity; no medical cannabis; [retained and actively enforced — 144 drug death sentences in 2024]

Consequences if caught

Cannabis is prohibited in Iraq under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law No. 50 of 2017. In Iraq (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law No. 50 of 2017), importing, exporting, producing, cultivating or trafficking narcotic substances is punishable by DEATH or life imprisonment (Art 27/First, Art 28); operating a drug den draws life (Penal Code Art 288). Possession for personal use draws 1–3 years plus a 5–10 million IQD fine (up to 15 years per the US State Department). The death penalty keys on the ACT (trafficking/production/cultivation), not a fixed statutory quantity — there is no fixed gram threshold. [retained and actively enforced] Iraq actively enforces the drug death penalty — 144 drug-trafficking death sentences were issued in 2024 (per the US State Department and Iraqi court statements reported by 964media and The New Region).

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form; Iraq has no medical cannabis.

Documentation

In Iraq (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law No. 50 of 2017), importing, exporting, producing, cultivating or trafficking narcotic substances is punishable by DEATH or life imprisonment (Art 27/First, Art 28); operating a drug den draws life (Penal Code Art 288). Possession for personal use draws 1–3 years plus a 5–10 million IQD fine (up to 15 years per the US State Department). The death penalty keys on the ACT, not a fixed statutory quantity — there is no fixed gram threshold; there is no medical cannabis. [retained and actively enforced] Iraq actively enforces the drug death penalty — 144 drug-trafficking death sentences were issued in 2024 (per the US State Department and Iraqi court statements reported by 964media and The New Region). 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 Iraq’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.