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No, weed is not legal in Syria, and the penalties are severe. Cannabis is banned under the Anti-Narcotics Law No. 2 of 1993, which Syria’s transitional government still applies after the fall of the Assad government in December 2024.
Trafficking and cultivation can carry the death penalty. Before anything else, note that the UK advises against all travel to Syria and the US rates it Do Not Travel. This guide covers Syria’s cannabis laws, penalties, CBD and the travel position.
Is weed legal in Syria for recreational use?
Recreational weed is illegal in Syria, with no personal-use allowance and no legal market. Cannabis laws in Syria rest on the Anti-Narcotics Law of 1993, under which cannabis and hashish are illegal for any purpose.
The change of government has not changed the law. No new narcotics law or amendment has been found, and a general amnesty decree issued in February 2026 was reported to refer to the 1993 law by name. It remains the reference law on the review date of this guide.
The authorities have also made drugs a public priority. In the weeks after the change of government, the Interior Ministry said security forces destroyed around 15 tonnes of hashish along with very large quantities of Captagon pills.
What are the penalties under Syria weed laws?
Penalties under Syria weed laws are severe at every level. The US State Department states that Article 39 of Syria’s narcotics law imposes the death penalty for drug trafficking or cultivation.
The UK Foreign Office goes further on possession. Its Syria travel advice says the penalty for drug possession is life imprisonment, and that the death penalty applies to trafficking. These are the two governments’ own summaries, and the full statute text could not be checked independently.
Officials have signalled a softer attitude to users than to dealers. The head of the Anti-Narcotics Directorate said in 2026 that users are viewed as victims needing care, while dealers and smugglers are treated as perpetrators. That is a policy statement, not a change in the law.
Penalties at a glance
| Conduct | Governing law | General outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Possession or use | Anti-Narcotics Law No. 2 of 1993 | Life imprisonment for possession, according to the UK Foreign Office |
| Cultivation | Anti-Narcotics Law No. 2 of 1993, Art. 39 | Death penalty, according to the US State Department |
| Trafficking | Anti-Narcotics Law No. 2 of 1993, Art. 39 | Death penalty |
Is medical marijuana legal in Syria?
No. Medical marijuana is not legal in Syria, and there is no programme, patient registry or prescribing route. No Syrian authority, before or after the transition, has published any plan for medical cannabis.
Is CBD legal in Syria?
There is no legal framework for CBD in Syria. No authority has published a position on CBD. Treat any CBD product as a cannabis product.
Is Captagon the same as cannabis?
No. Captagon is the street name for an amphetamine-type pill, not a cannabis product. It dominates news coverage and searches about Syria, which is why the two are often confused.
The distinction matters for accuracy. Captagon and cannabis are different drugs, and figures about the Captagon trade say nothing about cannabis use or enforcement.
Can you smoke weed in Syria as a tourist?
No, and the first question is whether to travel at all. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Syria in its Syria travel advice, citing unpredictable security conditions and the threat of terrorist attacks. The US State Department rates Syria at Level 4, Do Not Travel.
Anyone who does go is subject to the 1993 law in full. There is no tourist allowance, and a foreign passport offers no protection from it.
The bottom line on cannabis in Syria
Weed is illegal in Syria, and the 1993 narcotics law remains in force under the transitional government. Trafficking and cultivation can carry the death penalty, and the UK says possession can bring life imprisonment.
There is no medical cannabis and no CBD framework. Both the UK and US advise against travel to Syria, and anyone there should avoid cannabis entirely.
Last reviewed: October 1, 2026. Cannabis laws change frequently, always verify current rules with official sources before you travel.
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