Is Cannabis / THC legal in Malaysia?

Legal status

Prohibited (recreational) — dangerous drug under the DDA 1952; medical use only under a tight 2022 licence regime

Consequences if caught

Cannabis is a scheduled dangerous drug; recreational use is fully banned, and medical use is allowed only under a tight 2022 licensing regime. Trafficking is presumed at 200 g (s.37(da)), and a 2024 amendment makes 200 g or more a mandatory death penalty. Trafficking carries the death penalty (s.39B) — discretionary since the 2018/2023 reforms, so a court may instead impose life imprisonment plus not fewer than 15 strokes of the whip. Possession (s.6/s.12) ranges up to life imprisonment plus whipping by weight; self-administration/personal use (s.15) carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or up to 2 years.

If prescribed or medical

Importing cannabis is not covered by the ordinary traveller exemption; any medical use falls under Malaysia's domestic licence regime, not a foreign prescription.

Documentation

Under s.25, a reasonable personal quantity of a medicinal preparation prescribed by a doctor outside Malaysia is exempt only if declared to a customs officer on arrival; carry the prescription and original packaging.

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