Is Cannabis / THC legal in Singapore?
- Legal status
- Controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act
- Consequences if caught
- Trafficking: more than 500 g (cannabis resin >200 g; cannabis mixture >1,000 g) — death penalty; less than 330 g — 5–20 years' imprisonment + 5–15 strokes of the cane; 330–500 g — 20–30 years/life + 15 strokes. Possession: less than 330 g — up to 10 years or a S$20,000 fine or both. Consumption: 1–10 years + up to S$20,000 fine. Drug offences can also carry caning; on entry, unannounced drug tests and property searches may apply, and residents can be prosecuted even for use outside Singapore (U.S. State Dept).
- If prescribed or medical
- If bringing a prescribed medication, you may need prior approval from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA); carry it in original packaging with your doctor's prescription. Illicit possession remains a drug offence regardless.
- Documentation
- Original packaging + doctor's prescription; check Singapore's HSA / apply for approval for personal medication.
What sentences have courts imposed for Cannabis / THC in Singapore?
Prosecutions recorded in Singapore, each checked against the official document cited below it. Individuals are never named, and these are examples of what has happened, not a prediction of what will. How we verify a court case.
Across 5 verified cases, sentences ranged from 8 months to 24 years. 1 case carried the death penalty; 1 case states no single comparable term.
The General Division of the High Court of Singapore convicted the accused on one charge of importing into Singapore three blocks of vegetable matter containing not less than 499.99 grammes of cannabis, without authorisation. The court sentenced him to 24 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane. The judgment discusses sentencing benchmarks for other drugs and other cases at length, and none of that discussion is part of this charge.
2021an accused personCharge the unauthorised importing of drugs into Singapore (s 7 and punishable under s 33(1) of the MDA)
Quantity not less than 499.99 g cannabis
convicted, 24 years' imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
Substances recorded cannabis
Source eLitigation (Singapore Courts) [2024] SGHC 223
The General Division of the High Court of Singapore convicted the accused on two proceeded charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act, one concerning diamorphine and one concerning not less than 624.5g of cannabis. The alternative sentencing regime under s 33B was unavailable to him, so the mandatory death penalty applied and the court pronounced the death sentence on each of the two charges. Further charges stood down at the start of the trial were withdrawn by the Prosecution.
2020an accused personconvicted on two charges, sentenced to death on each
Substances recorded cannabis, heroin
Source eLitigation (Singapore Courts) [2026] SGHC 38
After his February 2018 arrest, officers found cannabis in a Ziplock bag and his urine tested positive for a cannabinol derivative. He also admitted passing cannabis mixture to another person two days earlier. The District Court imposed three separate custodial terms and made the abetment and consumption terms consecutive, producing 18 months overall. The High Court dismissed his attempt to replace imprisonment with probation.
201830-year-old adult appellantconvicted of cannabis consumption, cannabis possession and abetment of cannabis possession; 18 months imprisonment
Substances recorded cannabis
Source eLitigation (Singapore Courts) [2019] SGHC 196
A 17-year-old was arrested on 8 March 2016 after police searched his haversack and found not less than 41.19 grams of cannabis mixture, and his urine tested positive for THC. He pleaded guilty to possessing the cannabis mixture for the purpose of trafficking and to consuming a specified drug, with a third trafficking charge taken into consideration. The district court sentenced him to reformative training. On appeal the High Court set that aside and imposed 36 months' split probation, 18 months intensive and 18 months supervised, with hostel residence, a curfew and electronic monitoring.
2016a Singaporean, 17 at the time of the offencesCharge possession of cannabis mixture for the purpose of trafficking (s 5(1)(a) read with s 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185, 2008 Rev Ed))
Quantity not less than 41.19 g cannabis
guilty plea on two charges, possessing cannabis mixture for trafficking and consuming a specified drug; 36 months' split probation on appeal
Substances recorded cannabis
Source eLitigation (Singapore Courts) [2017] SGHC 324
CNB officers arrested the respondent at home on 29 June 2016 after he surrendered a sachet from a safe. Analysis showed 0.91g of cannabis mixture. The District Court had chosen probation, but the High Court held that deterrence should dominate for this adult drug offender and substituted eight months' imprisonment.
2016adult respondent, a couple of months short of age 27 at the offenceconvicted of possession of a controlled drug, eight months imprisonment
Substances recorded cannabis
Source eLitigation (Singapore Courts) [2017] SGHC 183
Cannabis / THC in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in Singapore
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Singapore’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 →