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Cannabis — ProhibitedAsia-Pacific

Kazakhstan

Medical cannabis is prohibited in Kazakhstan. Severe criminal penalties may apply for possession, use, or trafficking.

Kazakhstan prohibits cannabis under its Criminal Code despite being home to one of the world's largest wild cannabis fields in the Chuy Valley. The government maintains strict anti-narcotics policies with significant penalties for possession and distribution, while grappling with the unique challenge of wild cannabis growing across vast areas of the Tien Shan mountain foothills.

Ask the Expert about Kazakhstan
Regulator
Ministry of Internal Affairs — Department for Combating Drug Trafficking / Committee on Drug Control
Key Legislation
Criminal Code of Kazakhstan
Year Legalized
N/A
Program Size
N/A — Prohibited

Key Facts

  • Possession of cannabis above a small threshold (1 gram) is a criminal offense punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment under the Criminal Code
  • The Chuy Valley in southern Kazakhstan contains an estimated 140,000 hectares of wild cannabis, one of the largest naturally occurring cannabis fields in the world
  • Trafficking and large-scale distribution carry sentences of 5 to 12 years imprisonment with confiscation of property
  • The government conducts annual campaigns to destroy wild cannabis fields, though the scale of natural growth makes eradication virtually impossible
  • There is no medical cannabis program, and Kazakhstan cooperates closely with Russia and other Central Asian states through the CSTO on counter-narcotics enforcement

Key Legislation

Criminal Code of Kazakhstan (Article 296-300, Drug Offenses, 2014 as amended); Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1998)

Regulatory Body

Ministry of Internal Affairs — Department for Combating Drug Trafficking / Committee on Drug Control

Country Info
ISO Code
KZ
Region
Asia-Pacific
Tier
Tier 4 — Prohibited
Status
Cannabis — Prohibited
Sources
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan
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.