Saudi Arabia has strict regulations governing cannabis, narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and products containing controlled substances.

Cannabis is specifically included in Saudi Arabia’s official controlled-substance schedules. The regulations cover cannabis and cannabis resin, as well as cannabis extracts and tinctures. The official schedule also identifies Cannabis sativa and related cannabis plants and seeds as prohibited.

This guide explains the Saudi cannabis laws in straightforward terms and covers cannabis possession, use, importation, CBD, THC, travel, and the legal framework that applies across the Kingdom.

Important: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Saudi regulations can change, and anyone facing an actual legal matter should consult a qualified Saudi lawyer or the relevant Saudi government authority.

Is cannabis legal in Saudi Arabia?

No. Cannabis is not generally legal for recreational use in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s official controlled-substance schedules specifically list cannabis, cannabis resin, and cannabis extracts and tinctures among controlled narcotic substances.

The official schedules also identify Cannabis sativa plants and related names such as marijuana and hashish in the section concerning prohibited plants and seeds.

As a result, cannabis should not be treated as an ordinary consumer product in Saudi Arabia.

What law regulates cannabis in Saudi Arabia?

The main legal framework is Saudi Arabia’s Law of Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and its associated regulations and schedules.

The Saudi Ministry of Justice provides the law through its official legal publication system.

The controlled-substance schedules are published through Saudi Arabia’s official gazette, Umm Al-Qura, and associated government authorities.

These schedules determine which substances are classified as narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances and how they are regulated.

How does Saudi Arabia classify cannabis?

Cannabis appears in the official narcotic-drug schedules.

The current official schedule identifies:

• Cannabis
• Cannabis resin
• Cannabis extracts
• Cannabis tinctures

The schedule describes cannabis as the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant where resin has not been extracted, while cannabis resin is separately described as resin obtained from the cannabis plant.

This means that the regulations are not limited to a product simply labeled “marijuana.”

Different cannabis preparations can fall within the controlled-substance framework.

Are cannabis plants legal?

No.

Saudi Arabia’s official schedule concerning prohibited plants and seeds specifically identifies Indian hemp / Cannabis sativa, including male and female plants and the different names by which the plant may be known. It also addresses cannabis stems and roasted cannabis seeds.

Therefore, the legal restrictions are not limited to dried cannabis intended for consumption.

The plant itself and specified plant materials are addressed by the regulations.

Is marijuana legal in Saudi Arabia?

No.

“Marijuana” is one of the common names associated with cannabis, and the official Saudi schedule expressly refers to Cannabis sativa and names including marijuana and hashish.

There is no general recreational marijuana market authorized by the Saudi government.

Is hashish legal in Saudi Arabia?

Hashish is not generally legal for recreational use.

Saudi Arabia’s official controlled-substance schedule specifically includes cannabis resin, and its prohibited-plant schedule refers to cannabis under names including hashish.

The terminology can vary internationally, but products derived from cannabis resin remain subject to Saudi regulations.

Is THC legal in Saudi Arabia?

THC is subject to Saudi controlled-substance regulations.

The official schedules identify tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in connection with cannabis and also identify certain synthetic cannabinoid substances.

For this reason, a product containing THC should not be assumed to be permitted simply because the product is legally sold in another country.

What about CBD?

CBD requires special attention.

The current official Saudi schedule contains an explicit provision concerning compounds containing cannabidiol (CBD) derived or prepared from herbal sources.

The provision states that bringing in, importing, exporting, producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, distributing, transporting, consuming and other listed activities involving such CBD compounds are prohibited, subject to the exception described for fully chemically synthesized compounds meeting specified conditions. Those conditions include being free of scheduled narcotic or psychotropic substances, including THC, and being supported by appropriate laboratory analysis from laboratories accredited by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

This is an important distinction.

A product labeled “CBD” should not automatically be considered legal in Saudi Arabia.

Why “THC-free” does not automatically mean legal

Some products sold internationally are marketed as:

• THC-free
• Hemp-derived
• Broad-spectrum CBD
• Full-spectrum CBD
• CBD isolate
• Hemp extract

The label alone does not establish whether the product can legally be imported or possessed in Saudi Arabia.

The current Saudi schedule contains specific requirements concerning CBD compounds and laboratory evidence for the relevant exception.

Anyone considering importing such a product should verify the exact formulation and current requirements with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority before traveling.

Can you bring cannabis into Saudi Arabia?

Travelers should not bring cannabis into Saudi Arabia.

Cannabis, cannabis resin, extracts and tinctures are included in the official controlled-substance schedules. Cannabis plants and specified cannabis seeds are also addressed as prohibited plants and seeds.

This applies regardless of whether the product was purchased legally in another country.

A traveler crossing an international border into Saudi Arabia is subject to Saudi law.

What about prescription medicines containing controlled substances?

Prescription medicines require a different analysis from recreational cannabis.

Some medicines contain substances that are controlled under Saudi regulations but can be used within regulated medical channels.

The fact that a medicine is prescribed in another country does not by itself establish that it can be imported into Saudi Arabia without complying with Saudi requirements.

If you need to travel with a prescription medicine that may contain a controlled substance, verify the current Saudi import requirements before traveling and carry the required medical documentation.

Does Saudi cannabis law apply throughout the country?

Saudi Arabia’s national controlled-substance framework applies throughout the Kingdom.

There is not a separate recreational cannabis legalization system for individual cities.

That means searches such as:

• cannabis in Riyadh
• cannabis in Jeddah
• cannabis in Medina
• cannabis in Mecca
• cannabis in Dammam

should not be interpreted as meaning that different cities have independent recreational cannabis laws.

The national legal framework remains relevant.

Is cannabis legal in Riyadh?

No general recreational cannabis market is legally authorized in Riyadh.

Riyadh is subject to Saudi Arabia’s national controlled-substance laws, including the rules covering cannabis and cannabis resin.

Is cannabis legal in Jeddah?

The same national rules apply in Jeddah.

There is no separate city-level recreational cannabis legalization system that makes cannabis generally legal in Jeddah.

Is cannabis legal in Mecca and Medina?

Saudi Arabia’s national controlled-substance regulations apply in both cities.

Because Mecca and Medina have particular religious significance, visitors should be especially careful to comply with Saudi law and official regulations.

What are the penalties for cannabis?

Saudi narcotics law provides penalties for conduct involving controlled substances, but there is no single penalty that applies to every cannabis-related situation.

The consequences can depend on factors including:

• The substance involved
• The quantity
• The alleged conduct
• Possession circumstances
• Importation or exportation
• Distribution or trafficking allegations
• Whether the matter involves a first or subsequent offense
• Other circumstances specified by the applicable law

For that reason, websites should be cautious about publishing a single “cannabis penalty” as though it applies to every situation.

The applicable legal provisions should be consulted for the specific circumstances.

Is importing cannabis different from possessing it?

Importation and possession are distinct forms of conduct and can be treated differently under the applicable legal framework.

The Saudi controlled-substance regulations address a broad range of activities involving controlled substances, including importing, exporting, producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, distributing, transporting and consuming specified substances.

Therefore, someone should not assume that the rules for possession automatically describe the consequences of importing a substance across the Saudi border.

Can you grow cannabis in Saudi Arabia?

Cannabis cultivation should not be treated as legal.

The official schedule of prohibited plants specifically identifies Cannabis sativa plants and addresses the plant at different stages of growth.

This means that cannabis-related restrictions extend beyond finished cannabis products.

Are cannabis seeds legal?

The official Saudi schedule specifically addresses cannabis seeds.

It identifies roasted cannabis seeds, whether germinated or not, within the prohibited-plant and seed provisions.

Consequently, travelers should not assume that cannabis seeds are legal simply because they are not themselves a finished cannabis product.

What about hemp?

The word “hemp” does not by itself establish that a product is legal in Saudi Arabia.

Hemp products can contain different ingredients and cannabinoids, and the applicable Saudi rules depend on the actual substance and formulation.

The official regulations specifically identify Cannabis sativa and cannabis-related substances.

If you are considering importing a hemp-derived product, check its complete ingredients and verify its status with the appropriate Saudi authority.

What about synthetic cannabinoids?

Synthetic cannabinoids are also addressed by Saudi controlled-substance regulations.

The current official schedules include locally controlled synthetic cannabinoid substances and specific cannabinoid analogues.

Therefore, replacing natural cannabis with a synthetic cannabinoid does not create a general legal alternative.

Does cannabis legalization in another country apply in Saudi Arabia?

No.

Every country determines its own controlled-substance laws.

A person may legally purchase or possess cannabis in another jurisdiction and still be prohibited from bringing it into Saudi Arabia.

The same principle applies to products containing THC and certain CBD formulations.

Travelers should always check the rules of the destination country before carrying cannabinoid products across an international border.

What should travelers check before visiting Saudi Arabia?

If you are taking medication or a health product that could contain a controlled substance, check the current official requirements before your trip.

Consider checking:

1. The product’s complete ingredient list.
2. Whether it contains THC or another scheduled substance.
3. Whether it contains CBD derived from cannabis or another regulated source.
4. Whether the medicine requires a prescription.
5. Whether Saudi authorities require supporting documentation.
6. Whether the product can legally be imported.
7. Whether the rules have changed since you last traveled.

Do not rely solely on a product’s legality in your home country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cannabis completely illegal in Saudi Arabia?

Cannabis is controlled under Saudi Arabia’s narcotics framework. The official schedules specifically list cannabis, cannabis resin, extracts and tinctures.

Can tourists buy cannabis in Saudi Arabia?

There is no general government-authorized recreational cannabis market in Saudi Arabia.

Can I bring marijuana from a country where it is legal?

You should not bring marijuana into Saudi Arabia. Cannabis is included in the Kingdom’s controlled-substance schedules.

Is hashish legal?

No. Cannabis resin and cannabis-related materials are subject to Saudi controlled-substance regulations.

Is CBD legal?

CBD is subject to specific Saudi regulatory provisions. The current schedule addresses CBD compounds and provides a narrowly defined exception for certain fully chemically synthesized compounds meeting specified requirements.

Is THC legal?

THC is subject to Saudi controlled-substance regulation and should not be treated as a generally legal recreational substance.

Are cannabis seeds legal?

The official prohibited-plant schedule specifically addresses cannabis seeds.

Are there different cannabis laws in Riyadh and Jeddah?

The national controlled-substance framework applies across Saudi Arabia. Individual cities do not have independent recreational cannabis legalization regimes.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia maintains a strict national framework governing cannabis and other controlled substances.

The official Saudi schedules identify cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabis extracts and cannabis tinctures as controlled substances. They also specifically address Cannabis sativa plants and certain cannabis seeds.

CBD also requires careful attention because Saudi regulations contain specific provisions concerning CBD compounds and the conditions under which a limited exception may apply.

For travelers, the most important point is simple: do not assume that a cannabis, THC, CBD or hemp product that is legal in another country is automatically legal in Saudi Arabia.

For the latest requirements, consult the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Saudi Ministry of Justice, and the official Saudi regulations before importing, possessing, or using any potentially controlled product.

Official sources

• Saudi Arabia’s official gazette, Umm Al-Qura — controlled-substance schedules.
• Saudi Ministry of Justice — Law of Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.