Is Cannabis / THC legal in Taiwan?

Legal status

Cannabis is a Category-2 narcotic under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (same class as amphetamines) — illegal; simple possession up to 2 years (>20 g pure 6 months–5 years); manufacture/transport/sale life or min 10 years; NO medical program; cultivation illegal incl. hemp

Consequences if caught

Cannabis is a Category-2 narcotic under Taiwan's Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (毒品危害防制條例) — the same class as amphetamines — and is illegal. Simple possession draws up to 2 years, detention or a fine; possessing more than 20 g of pure Category-2 draws 6 months to 5 years; manufacture, transport or sale carries life or a minimum of 10 years plus a fine up to NT$15 million. Cultivation is illegal, including industrial hemp.

If prescribed or medical

There is NO medical-cannabis program; only CBD under 0.001% THC is allowed, by prescription and imported.

Documentation

The Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act classifies narcotics into four categories: Category 1 = heroin, morphine, opium, cocaine; Category 2 = cannabis, amphetamines, methamphetamine, coca, opium poppy; Categories 3 and 4 are lower. Manufacturing, transporting or selling Category 1 narcotics carries DEATH or life imprisonment; Category 2 manufacture/transport/sale carries life or a minimum of 10 years plus a fine up to NT$15 million. Possession with intent is heavier for Category 1; Category 2 possession-with-intent is a minimum of 5 years. Simple possession of Category 2 draws up to 2 years, detention or a fine; possessing more than 20 g of pure Category 2 draws 6 months to 5 years. Cannabis is Category 2 (the same class as amphetamines) — illegal, with NO medical-cannabis program (only CBD under 0.001% THC by prescription, imported); cultivation is illegal, including industrial hemp. [de facto] The death penalty is statutorily present for Category-1 manufacture/transport/sale, but all Taiwan executions since about 2000 have been for murder, not drugs. 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 Taiwan’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.