Cannabis — China

Cannabis is completely illegal in mainland China and enforcement is zero tolerance - bringing any amount into the country counts as smuggling and is a criminal offence no matter how small the quantity, and airports scan all baggage, including that of transiting passengers, specifically for cannabis. Using it or holding a personal amount is punished as an administrative offence of 10 to 15 days police detention and a fine of up to 3,000 yuan, a foreigner can additionally be ordered to leave the country or be deported, and compulsory isolated drug rehabilitation of up to three years is possible. Both the UK and US governments warn that police can drug-test foreigners at random, including on arrival and in bar raids using hair and urine samples, and that a positive test can be acted on even if you consumed the cannabis legally in another country before flying.

Using cannabis or possessing a small quantity: 10 to 15 days administrative detention and a fine of up to 3,000 yuan, or up to 5 days detention or a fine of up to 1,000 yuan in lighter cases (Public Security Administration Punishments Law art. 84, in force 1 January 2026); a foreigner may additionally be ordered to leave the country or be deported (art. 10). Compulsory isolated drug rehabilitation runs two years and may be extended by up to one further year (Narcotics Control Law arts. 38 and 47). Smuggling, trafficking, transporting or manufacturing drugs is criminal regardless of quantity: up to 3 years at the lowest tier, 7 years or more at the middle tier, and 15 years, life imprisonment or the death penalty with confiscation of property at the top tier (Criminal Law art. 347). Illegal possession becomes criminal at 1 kg of cannabis oil, 2 kg of resin, or 30 kg of leaf or cannabis cigarettes, carrying up to 3 years, or 3 to 7 years in serious cases (art. 348).