Cannabis — Mexico
What travelers need to know about cannabis in Mexico. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Cannabis in Mexico: prohibited — what is legal at home can be a serious crime here.
Recreational cannabis is illegal in Mexico. Possession is a crime under article 477 of the General Health Law, punishable by 10 months to 3 years in prison. The law does tell prosecutors not to charge someone carrying 5 grams or less for strict personal use — but that is a decision made after you are stopped, not a legal allowance, and it does not apply within 300 metres of a school, clinic, police station or prison. There is nowhere to buy it legally.
Possession: 10 months to 3 years in prison plus a fine (General Health Law art. 477). Possession the authorities judge to be for supply: 3 to 6 years (art. 476). Bringing cannabis into or out of Mexico — the statute says even momentarily or in transit — is 10 to 25 years under Federal Penal Code art. 194 fracción II, and the art. 478 non-prosecution rule covers only the art. 477 possession offence, so it does not reach that border offence. Cannabis bought legally in a US state does not become legal at the crossing, and US federal law bans bringing any amount back.
§ Cámara de Diputados — Ley General de Salud, arts. 234 y 475–479 (texto vigente, DOF 15-01-2026)Verified Aug 20, 2026