Cannabis in the United Arab Emirates

Cannabis in the United Arab Emirates is illegal. Trafficking has a minimum five year sentence. Use and possession has a minimum three month sentence, and may result in deportation of expats. ^[1]

Law

The United Arab Emirates prohibits the trafficking and sale of drugs, including cannabis, with drug use punishable of up to four years in prison. Non-citizens found with possession of drugs may face deportation, at the discretion of the judge. ^[2] In 2022, the criminal penalties for drug-related crimes was reduced, with a possibility of no punishment for first-time offenders. ^[3] Possessing products, like clothes, depicting images or text deemed to promote drug use is punishable of up to AED 50,000. ^[4]

Economy

The UAE is not a significant cannabis producer or consumer, but is a major transshipment point for cannabis from Pakistan and Afghanistan, due to its free ports and heterogeneous population. ^[5]

References

1. Al Amir, Salam (28 November 2021). "UAE's new drug laws cut sentences and end mandatory deportation for expats". The National. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
2. "UAE eases drug laws: No more jail for those bringing in THC". AP News. 29 November 2021. Archived from the original on 6 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
3. Al Amir, Salam (29 December 2021). "UAE legal reforms: what the new law says about products containing cannabis extracts". The National. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
4. Al Shouk, Ali (6 June 2022). "New UAE law cracks down on those promoting images of drugs on clothes, cars". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
5. Sebastian Maisel (2009). Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab States Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Arab States. Greenwood Press. pp. 124–. ISBN   978-0-313-34442-8.