Kiribati

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

Kiribati prohibits cannabis under its Narcotics Act and Criminal Code. As a small Pacific island nation with limited law enforcement resources, drug enforcement is minimal compared to larger nations, but cannabis offenses remain criminal matters handled by the Kiribati Police Service and the courts.

Ask the Expert about Kiribati

Regulator

Kiribati Police Service / Ministry of Justice

Key Legislation

Narcotics Act

Year Legalized

N/A

Program Size

N/A — Prohibited

Key Facts

Possession of cannabis is a criminal offense under the Narcotics Act, punishable by fines and imprisonment of up to 5 years
Cultivation and supply of cannabis carry heavier penalties including up to 14 years imprisonment under the Narcotics Act
Kiribati's remote geography and dispersed atolls across 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean make consistent drug enforcement extremely challenging
There is no medical cannabis program, and the country's small population of approximately 120,000 means drug policy receives limited legislative attention
Cannabis use in Kiribati is primarily a local issue with minimal international trafficking significance, though regional Pacific cooperation on drug control exists through the Pacific Islands Forum

Key Legislation

Narcotics Act (Cap 65, Laws of Kiribati); Criminal Code (Cap 67)

Regulatory Body

Kiribati Police Service / Ministry of Justice

Country Info

ISO Code

Region

Oceania

Tier

Tier 4 — Prohibited

Status

Cannabis — Prohibited

Sources

Government of Kiribati

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.