Laos

Laos has a zero-tolerance drug policy that expressly includes cannabis: possessing even a very small amount brings arrest and a long jail sentence, and drug trafficking can carry the death penalty.

Arrest and detention, a long jail sentence on conviction, and a possible death penalty for trafficking.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in Laos and there is no legal way to buy it, however relaxed the country's reputation. Laos's own Penal Code (No. 26/NA, 17 May 2017) draws the lines by weight: holding under 5 g of marijuana for your own consumption is not punished with prison - the Code treats that person as a victim, to be treated or sent for treatment - while 5 to 10 g for consumption is 6 months to 2 years in prison plus a fine. Anything held "for trading" is trafficking, from 6 months to 3 years for under 5 kg of dry marijuana up to 5 to 10 years above 10 kg, and running a place that serves cannabis is a separate offence. Hashish and THC concentrates are punished far harder than leaf: the bands start at 0.3 g and reach life imprisonment above 500 g.

Penal Code of the Lao PDR No. 26/NA, adopted by the National Assembly on 17 May 2017 and promulgated by Presidential Decree No. 118/PO of 26 June 2017; figures taken from the English version published by the Lao Official Gazette. Art. 320 (consumption or possession for consumption): marijuana under 5 g - the person is regarded as a victim and is treated or sent for treatment; 5 to 10 g of dry marijuana - 6 months to 2 years plus a fine of 5,000,000 to 20,000,000 kip; providing a service for consuming marijuana - 3 months to 5 years plus 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 kip. Art. 318 (trading): under 5 kg of dry marijuana - 6 months to 3 years plus 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 kip; 5 to 10 kg - 3 to 7 years plus 5,000,000 to 20,000,000 kip; over 10 kg, or on a regular basis or as an organised group - 5 to 10 years plus 20,000,000 to 50,000,000 kip; marijuana seeds over 10 g - 1 to 3 years. Tetrahydrocannabinol, hashish and THC derivatives by net weight: 0.3 to 50 g - 2 to 4 years; 50 to 100 g - 5 to 7 years; 100 to 200 g - 10 to 14 years; 200 to 500 g - 15 to 20 years; over 500 g - life imprisonment plus 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 kip and confiscation of assets. The Code reserves the death penalty for the heaviest offences involving other drug classes; for marijuana the top band in art. 318 is life imprisonment.

Verified Sep 30, 2026

Carry prescription medication in original packaging with your prescription, verify it is legal in Laos before traveling, and bring enough for the whole trip.

Verified Jun 26, 2026

Lao kip may not be imported or exported at all, and USD 2,500 or more (or the equivalent in other foreign currency) must be declared both entering and leaving Laos.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

Laos authorities have issued an order prohibiting the sale and consumption of Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky on health-risk grounds - two named brands you may still be offered in bars. Alcohol is otherwise legal in Laos, but methanol poisoning has caused deaths and serious illness there, including from drinks bought in licensed bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas, and methanol cannot be detected by taste or smell.

Verified Sep 28, 2026

Vapes are illegal in Laos, and so are heated tobacco products and shisha (water-pipe tobacco). The ban is not limited to selling: possessing, using, importing, buying, selling or exporting any of them is an offence, so simply arriving with a vape in your bag breaks the law.

You could be fined or imprisoned for possessing, using, importing, selling, purchasing or exporting vapes, heated tobacco or shisha.

Verified Sep 28, 2026

To drive in Laos you must carry both your home licence and a 1949-version International Driving Permit (get it before you travel), and if you are in an accident you are liable for third-party damage and injury even when you are not at fault.

You must pay compensation for third-party property damage and injury even if you are not at fault; Lao authorities generally find in favour of Lao citizens.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations in Laos.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

Protests and demonstrations are illegal in Laos; foreigners arrested for unruly conduct or property damage are typically held without charge until they pay an indemnity to the injured party, usually a minimum of two to three weeks.

Detention without charge; indemnity payment usually required.

Verified Jun 26, 2026

Lao law prohibits sexual relationships between foreign and Lao nationals unless the couple is married under Lao family law, and marriage or engagement to a Lao national requires a formal application to the Lao authorities.

Fines of up to USD 5,000 and possible imprisonment; authorities have been known to demand entry to hotel rooms and guesthouses where they suspect a breach.

Verified Jul 30, 2026