Singapore: Cannabis Laws (Severe Penalties)

Last updated: October 14, 2025

Legal notice: Informational only—not legal advice. Penalties in Singapore are severe, including long imprisonment and, for trafficking above thresholds, capital punishment. Verify on official portals below. See Legal Disclaimer & No-Warranty.

Snapshot

• Status: Recreational cannabis is illegal. Possession, consumption (including overseas use in some circumstances), trafficking, import/export are offenses under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).
• Medical/CBD: There is no general consumer market; medical access is highly restricted. Confirm any medical import/exception with authorities.

Core Law & Agency

• Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA, 1973) – primary statute.
• Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) – enforcement and public information.

High-Risk Areas (Plain Language)

• Do not bring cannabis into or through Singapore.
• Do not assume overseas use is safe—consumption is an offense; CNB has extraterritorial provisions for citizens/PRs in some contexts (see official guidance).
• Trafficking thresholds trigger mandatory minimums and may reach death penalty for large quantities under the MDA.

Travel & Practical Notes

• Transit through Changi: no cannabis; severe penalties apply if detected.
• Prescription from another country has no effect unless explicitly approved by Singapore authorities.

Keep Learning

• Regional context: Cannabis Laws by Country & Region
• Trust workflow: Information You Can Trust, How We Fact-Check
• Safety: Responsible Use Guide

Official Government Sources (Verify Here)

• Singapore Statutes Online – Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA): sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/MDA1973
• CNB – Misuse of Drugs Act overview: cnb.gov.sg/drug-information/misuse-of-drugs-act