Cannabis — Chile

Cannabis is illegal in Chile and possession is a criminal offence, not a fine - article 4 of Ley 20.000 punishes possessing or carrying even small amounts with imprisonment and a fine of 10 to 40 monthly tax units, and personal use is only a justification you have to persuade a court to accept. Private personal consumption on its own is not punished, but consuming in a public place, or in a private place with a group that arranged to do it, is a separate offence carrying a fine, a compulsory prevention or treatment programme or community service, and suspension of your driving licence for up to six months. There is no legal way to buy cannabis in Chile, and passing some to another person carries the same prison penalty as possession.

Possessing, transporting, keeping or carrying small quantities: presidio menor in its medium to maximum degrees plus a fine of 10 to 40 monthly tax units, unless justified as for medical treatment or for exclusive and imminent personal use (Ley 20.000 art. 4). Acquiring, transferring, supplying or facilitating small quantities for another person to consume carries the same penalty. Unauthorised cultivation: presidio menor in its maximum degree to presidio mayor in its minimum degree plus a fine of 40 to 400 monthly tax units (art. 8). Consuming in public, or in private premises with a group that arranged to do so, and holding or carrying in such places: a fine of 1 to 10 monthly tax units, or a prevention programme of up to 60 days, or treatment or rehabilitation of up to 180 days, or up to 30 hours of community work, plus suspension of the driving licence for up to six months, rising to up to one year on a second offence and up to two years on a third, which the judge may not suspend (art. 50).