The short answer is “No”. Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates ban marijuana (cannabis) under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021, the country’s main narcotics law.
The law classifies natural and synthetic cannabis, including THC, as prohibited narcotic substances, which makes possession, use, buying or selling, cultivation, import or export, and trafficking criminal offenses.
Although the law allows very limited medical or scientific use, only licensed institutions inside the UAE can access those exceptions, and tourists cannot rely on them.
Top Things to Remember Before Visiting Dubai
- Dubai prohibits cannabis with no legal recreational or personal medical use, and UAE law allows authorities to impose fines, jail time, deportation, and entry bans for possession or use.
- CBD and hemp products also carry legal risk because trace THC can lead to confiscation or prosecution, and the UAE doesn’t recognize foreign medical prescriptions.
- Authorities enforce these rules strictly at airports, so the safest choice is to travel without any cannabis-, CBD-, or hemp-related products.
Overview of Cannabis Laws in Dubai
Dubai and the wider UAE ban cannabis, and authorities apply the rules equally to tourists and residents. Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 classifies cannabis (including THC, cannabis resin, and extracts) as a prohibited narcotic, so possession, use, buying or selling, import, export, or promotion can trigger criminal consequences.
Although the law allows tightly controlled medical or scientific handling, only licensed institutions inside the UAE can access those exceptions.
In practice, travelers face the highest risk from products marketed as “CBD” or “THC-free.” If testing detects THC or another controlled cannabinoid compound, authorities can seize the product and take legal action. The UAE doesn’t treat foreign medical cannabis prescriptions as permission to carry or use cannabis, so traveling with vape carts, flower, edibles, tinctures, or “CBD” oils remains illegal, even if those items are legal and properly labeled at home.
Many people misunderstand one narrow entry-point rule: Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2024 sets out procedures for non-resident foreigners found at UAE ports of entry with small amounts within listed thresholds. In those limited situations, authorities may impose administrative fines that escalate with repeat offenses, along with deportation and entry bans, rather than treating the case like trafficking. This still counts as a serious incident: officials confiscate and destroy the substances, record the case, and apply standard criminal procedures under Decree-Law 30/2021 if quantities exceed thresholds or appear intended for others.
Also, the recent 2025 decrees don’t make cannabis safer for tourists either:
- Federal Decree-Law No. 2 of 2025 centralizes enforcement under the National Drug Enforcement Authority (effective January 1, 2026) and strengthens tracking and oversight.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 creates a carve-out for licensed industrial hemp (≤0.3% total THC) for specific regulated activities (not personal possession) and doesn’t protect travelers carrying hemp or CBD products.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 21 of 2025 tightens controls on veterinary products that may contain narcotic or psychotropic substances and offers no personal-use loopholes.
Safe takeaway: If you plan to visit Dubai, travel with zero cannabis, zero “CBD,” and zero hemp-derived products, including vapes, oils, gummies, cosmetics, and pet or veterinary items that could contain controlled ingredients.
Laws and procedures can change, so check the latest official guidance before you fly. You can find the full list of the UAE’s legislation related to cannabis and other narcotics and psychotropic substances here.
Medical Cannabis Laws in Dubai
You won’t find any medical marijuana system in Dubai or in the greater UAE, as there isn’t a patient access system comparable to those in European countries, Canada, or parts of the United States.
Cannabis and THC-based substances are classified as prohibited narcotic and psychotropic drugs, which means individuals cannot legally possess, use, or import them for personal medical treatment.
The law allows only very limited medical or scientific use of controlled substances, and these permissions apply exclusively to government bodies, licensed hospitals, pharmacies, or approved research institutions operating inside the UAE.
Individual patients cannot register as medical cannabis users, and UAE doctors cannot prescribe cannabis-based treatments for personal use under the current framework.
Furthermore, the UAE does not recognize foreign medical cannabis prescriptions, and bringing medical cannabis, THC oils, vape cartridges, edibles, or similar products into the country remains illegal.
Buying Cannabis in Dubai: What the Law Says
There is no legal way to purchase cannabis anywhere in Dubai, as both natural and synthetic cannabis and cannabinoids are prohibited narcotics.
Any buying or selling that does occur happens entirely on the illegal market and is actively targeted by law enforcement. Purchasing cannabis, attempting to source it through social media or messaging apps, or accepting it from another person can all expose you to serious criminal charges, including arrest, fines, imprisonment, deportation, and entry bans.
The law makes no exception for tourists, and visitors face the same criminal liability as residents if caught.
The creation of the National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA) strengthens centralized enforcement and coordination. Because all cannabis transactions are illegal, prices mentioned online are speculative and often tied to enforcement cases or scams. Authorities treat both buyers and sellers as offenders, regardless of quantity or intent.
Where Cannabis Use Is Prohibited
You can’t legally use cannabis anywhere in Dubai: not in public and not in private. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021, cannabis (including resin, extracts, and THC) is a prohibited narcotic, which means its use, possession, and handling are illegal across the UAE, including Dubai.
Even though cannabis is illegal, enforcement at entry points has a specific rule for non-resident foreigners. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2024, if a traveler is found entering the UAE with certain narcotic/psychotropic substances within specified threshold limits, authorities may apply an administrative process that can include:
- Confiscation/destruction, and
- Fines, with escalating consequences for repeat cases, including deportation and entry bans.
This doesn’t mean cannabis is legal and doesn’t protect you from criminal exposure in other situations. It’s simply a border-handling framework for limited scenarios.
If you’re visiting Dubai, the safest choice is simple: don’t use cannabis, don’t try to buy it, and don’t travel with any cannabis/THC/CBD items (including leftovers, vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures, or contaminated packaging).
Traveling to Dubai With Cannabis or CBD Products
Bringing cannabis into or out of Dubai is illegal under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021, which classifies natural and synthetic cannabis, cannabis resin, extracts, and THC as Schedule 1 narcotics. This ban applies regardless of quantity, form, or whether the product was legally obtained in another country.
Marijuana flower, hash, edibles, vape cartridges, oils, and products marketed as CBD are all prohibited if they contain any detectable THC. Foreign medical cannabis prescriptions are not recognized, and there is no personal-use or medical exemption for travelers.
At UAE entry points, airport security uses advanced screening and testing methods, and suspected substances may be chemically analyzed. Even trace amounts (such as residue in luggage, containers, or personal belongings) can result in confiscation and legal consequences.
Non-resident foreigners found at ports of entry with small quantities within specific weight thresholds may face administrative fines rather than immediate criminal prosecution for a first offense. However, the substances are still seized and destroyed. Repeat cases can lead to deportation, temporary or permanent entry bans, and higher fines, and larger quantities or intent to supply trigger full criminal penalties.
It is also important to note that Dubai has strengthened enforcement by centralizing drug control under the National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA), increasing coordination at borders and within the country. The safest and only lawful option is to enter Dubai completely free of any cannabis-related products.
Law Enforcement, Penalties, and Legal Risks
Law enforcement in Dubai is strict and highly structured. There is no legal “tolerance” for recreational use. Trying to bribe, pressure, or “negotiate” with an officer can create separate and more serious criminal problems on top of any drug allegation.
Since the establishment of the NDEA, enforcement has become more centralized and coordinated across airports, customs, police, and prosecutors. In practical terms, this increases the likelihood that cannabis-related issues flagged at entry points or during inspections move quickly through the system, with fewer gaps between agencies.
If cannabis, THC, or a controlled cannabinoid is involved, the legal and immigration risks are concrete and measurable:
If a non-resident foreigner is caught at a port of entry with cannabis or another listed narcotic within the specified weight thresholds and for personal use:
First offense
- Fine of AED 5,000–20,000 (~USD 1,360–5,440; ~EUR 1,150–4,610)
- Substance confiscated and destroyed
- Entry is allowed only after the fine is paid
Second offense
- Fine of AED 10,000–30,000 (~USD 2,720–8,170; ~EUR 2,300–6,920)
- Deportation
- 3-year entry ban
Third offense
- Fine of AED 50,000–100,000 (~USD 13,610–27,220; ~EUR 11,530–23,070)
- Permanent entry ban
If the quantity exceeds the listed thresholds, involves multiple substances above limits, or appears intended for third parties, the case can escalate from an administrative fine to a criminal prosecution:
- Personal use or possession:
- Minimum 3 months’ imprisonment or
- Fine from AED 20,000 up to AED 100,000 (~USD 5,440-27,220; ~EUR 4,610-23,070)
- Penalties increase for repeat offenses
Trafficking, distribution, or promotion
- Long prison sentences (years, not months)
- Severe cases can reach life imprisonment or capital punishment under Schedule 10, depending on intent and aggravating factors
Foreign nationals
- Courts may order deportation after sentence completion
- Entry bans can follow criminal convictions
CBD, hemp, and “THC-free” products
Labeling does not protect you. If testing detects THC or another controlled cannabinoid:
- Authorities can seize the product and proceed under Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021
- Foreign medical cannabis prescriptions are not recognized
- Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 applies only to licensed industrial hemp activities (≤0.3% THC) for approved entities
- Veterinary products containing controlled substances also fall under strict regulation, with no personal import exception
Scams and enforcement traps
Tourists face additional risk from scams and stings. Offers of “safe delivery,” “tourist-friendly weed,” or “connections” often lead to extortion or police involvement. Both buyers and sellers face criminal liability, regardless of quantity.
Cultural Attitudes Toward Cannabis in Dubai
Dubai residents widely view cannabis use as incompatible with local laws, cultural norms, and public morality. In the UAE, people place strong emphasis on respect for the law, public order, and religious and social values. They commonly associate drugs (including cannabis) with criminal behavior rather than personal choice or medical treatment.
As a result, people rarely ignore cannabis-related behavior, even in private settings. In shared environments such as hotels, residential buildings, taxis, or events, individuals may report suspected drug use to authorities instead of overlooking it.
Anyone involved in cannabis-related activity operates discreetly and illegally, and seeking out or participating in these networks exposes visitors to serious legal and immigration risks. For visitors, discretion doesn’t offer protection.
The safest way to avoid problems while visiting Dubai is to respect local attitudes and steer clear of all cannabis-related behavior.
Practical Safety Tips for Visitors
There are no safe, accepted, or low-risk ways to ask for cannabis in Dubai. Cannabis and THC are prohibited, and attempting to ask about buying or using them (whether in person, through social media, messaging apps, or online forums) can attract unwanted attention. Law enforcement does use undercover methods and informants, and casual inquiries can escalate into questioning, investigation, or arrest. There is also no local slang that offers protection or discretion in this context.
Dubai has no cannabis-related events, festivals, clubs, or “weed-friendly” spaces. Any claims suggesting otherwise are misleading and often tied to scams, stings, or extortion attempts. The safest and most responsible approach is simple: avoid cannabis entirely while in Dubai. Don’t rely on online anecdotes, private messages, or word-of-mouth claims suggesting tolerance or “safe options.”
Final Advice for Cannabis Users Visiting Dubai
Dubai enforces some of the world’s strictest cannabis laws, and despite recent legal updates, cannabis remains illegal for personal use in all forms.
Natural and synthetic cannabis are prohibited narcotics, and newer laws and resolutions have refined enforcement and procedures rather than legalized use. For example, while a specific framework for first-time, low-quantity cases involving non-resident travelers at entry points has been introduced, it doesn’t mean cannabis is legal to bring, use, or possess in the UAE.
Other recent laws can be misleading when taken out of context, so be wary of word-of-mouth or online anecdotes. Laws and enforcement practices can change, so it’s always wise to check the latest official government or legal sources before traveling. Do not rely on headlines, social media posts, or experiences from other countries to judge what is acceptable in Dubai.
The safest and most responsible choice is clear: do not carry, buy, or use cannabis or cannabis-related products of any kind, including items marketed as CBD. Respecting local laws and cultural expectations is the best way to stay safe and enjoy a trouble-free visit to Dubai.