Is Cannabis / THC legal in Tonga?

Legal status

Cannabis is a controlled drug under Tonga's Illicit Drugs Control Act (as amended in 2020 and 2021) — trafficking and serious offences carry up to life imprisonment; no legal recreational or medical regime; the maximum penalty is imprisonment (up to life)

Consequences if caught

Cannabis is a controlled drug in Tonga under Tonga's Illicit Drugs Control Act (as amended in 2020 and 2021), with no legal recreational regime. In Tonga, drugs fall under the Illicit Drugs Control Act, as amended in 2020 and 2021. The 2020 amendment toughened penalties (modelled on New Zealand's drug law); trafficking and serious offences carry up to life imprisonment, and the precise article and penalty terms are left to confirmation against the current statute. The maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment (up to life). Tonga retains the death penalty in law for murder and treason under the Criminal Offences Act (abolitionist in practice — no execution since 1982), but its drug legislation does NOT provide a death penalty: a 2021 bill to extend the death penalty to serious drug trafficking was debated and REJECTED by the Legislative Assembly (the death-penalty provisions were withdrawn before the Illicit Drugs Control Bill passed 19–0), and a 2004 proposal to add the death penalty for drug possession was likewise defeated. The maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment (up to life).

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

In Tonga, drugs fall under the Illicit Drugs Control Act, as amended in 2020 and 2021. The 2020 amendment toughened penalties (modelled on New Zealand's drug law); trafficking and serious offences carry up to life imprisonment, and the precise article and penalty terms are left to confirmation against the current statute. The maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment (up to life). Tonga retains the death penalty in law for murder and treason under the Criminal Offences Act (abolitionist in practice — no execution since 1982), but its drug legislation does NOT provide a death penalty: a 2021 bill to extend the death penalty to serious drug trafficking was debated and REJECTED by the Legislative Assembly (the death-penalty provisions were withdrawn before the Illicit Drugs Control Bill passed 19–0), and a 2004 proposal to add the death penalty for drug possession was likewise defeated. The maximum penalty for a drug offence is imprisonment (up to life). [reported, NOT enacted] A 2021 private member's bill proposed a mandatory death sentence for trafficking 5 kg or more of a Class A drug; it was rejected and is NOT law. Verify against the current statute. Cannabis is a controlled drug under the same Act, 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 Tonga’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.