JurisdictionsTopicsUpdatesWorkflowsCompareChat with ExpertMarketplacePricing
🇧🇹
Cannabis — RestrictedAsia-Pacific

Bhutan

Bhutan has a unique relationship with cannabis — the plant grows wild throughout the country and was traditionally used as pig feed, but its use as a drug is illegal under the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act of 2015. There is no legal framework for medical or recreational cannabis use. Despite the plant's ubiquity, Bhutan's drug control policies have tightened significantly in recent decades under influence from international narcotics conventions.

Ask the Expert about Bhutan
Regulator
Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority
Key Legislation
Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act
Year Legalized
N/A (fully prohibited for drug use)
Program Size
No legal cannabis program; wild canna...

Key Facts

  • Cannabis grows wild across Bhutan and was historically used as livestock feed, not as a recreational drug
  • The 2015 Narcotic Drugs Act criminalized cannabis use, possession, and trafficking with penalties including imprisonment
  • The Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) oversees drug control policy and enforcement
  • There is no medical cannabis program despite the plant's widespread natural availability
  • Rising substance abuse among youth has led to stricter enforcement and public health campaigns against cannabis use

Key Legislation

Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act (2015)

Regulatory Body

Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA); Ministry of Health

Country Info
ISO Code
BT
Region
Asia-Pacific
Tier
Tier 3 — Restricted
Status
Cannabis — Restricted
Sources
Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority
Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Cannabis regulations change frequently. Always verify with official sources and local legal counsel before making compliance decisions.