Timor-Leste

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

Timor-Leste (East Timor) prohibits cannabis under its penal code, which was adopted after independence in 2002. As one of the youngest nations in the world, its drug control framework draws on Portuguese and Indonesian legal traditions, both of which criminalize cannabis.

Ask the Expert about Timor-Leste

Regulator

Ministry of Justice — National Police of Timor-Leste

Key Legislation

Penal Code of Timor-Leste

Year Legalized

N/A

Program Size

N/A — Prohibited

Key Facts

Cannabis cultivation, possession, and sale are criminalized under the 2009 Penal Code
Drug offenses are handled by the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) with limited specialized narcotics capacity
Timor-Leste's legal framework was largely modeled on Portuguese law, which influenced its drug classification system
The country faces limited institutional capacity for drug enforcement given its status as a developing post-conflict nation
No medical, recreational, or industrial cannabis exceptions exist in current legislation

Key Legislation

Penal Code of Timor-Leste (Decree-Law No. 19/2009)

Regulatory Body

Ministry of Justice — National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL)

Country Info

ISO Code

Region

Asia-Pacific

Tier

Tier 4 — Prohibited

Status

Cannabis — Prohibited

Sources

Timor-Leste Ministry of Justice

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.