Cannabis — Singapore

Cannabis is illegal in Singapore and the penalties are among the harshest in the world. Cannabis and cannabis resin are Class A controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, cannabis mixture and edibles are caught too, and even trace amounts count. Consuming it carries a minimum of one year in prison, and the death penalty attaches to trafficking, importing or exporting more than 500 g of cannabis - for hashish the figure is far lower, with more than 200 g of cannabis resin or more than 1,000 g of a cannabis mixture reaching the same capital band. Three rules catch visitors out because they reverse the usual burden of proof. Anyone proved to have had more than 15 g of cannabis is presumed to have held it for trafficking rather than personal use unless they can prove otherwise. If a controlled drug is found in anything you are carrying or anywhere you hold the keys to, you are presumed to have possessed it and to have known what it was, and showing that you never physically held it does not rebut that. And if drug-taking equipment is found in a place, that place is presumed to be used for drug-taking, and anyone found in it - or running from it - is presumed to have been consuming, which is an offence in itself. Separately, arranging a get-together of as few as two people knowing cannabis will be used there carries a minimum of three years in prison and caning, even if you supply nothing at all.

Consumption: not less than 1 year and not more than 10 years, plus a fine of up to S$20,000 (Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, s. 33(3A)). Possession of less than 330 g of cannabis: up to 10 years or S$20,000 or both. Trafficking, import or export of more than 500 g of cannabis, more than 200 g of cannabis resin or more than 1,000 g of a cannabis mixture: death (Second Schedule). Possession of more than 15 g of cannabis, 30 g of cannabis mixture or 10 g of cannabis resin raises a presumption that it was held for the purpose of trafficking (s. 17). Being the owner, tenant, occupier or person in charge of a place and permitting it to be used for drug-taking, trafficking or manufacture: up to 10 years or S$40,000 or both (s. 11 and the Second Schedule). Arranging or planning a gathering of 2 or more people knowing a controlled drug is to be consumed or trafficked there: 3 to 20 years and up to 10 strokes of the cane, and it applies even if you supply no drug at all (s. 11A). Introducing someone to a drug trafficker, which expressly includes merely passing on an address, telephone number or email address: up to 10 years, and the offence bites as long as either person is in Singapore (s. 11C). Teaching or instructing someone in cultivating cannabis, or giving them information on doing it: up to 10 years; publishing or disseminating that information: up to 5 years or a S$10,000 fine, subject to a defence of legitimate purpose related to justice, science, medicine, education or art (s. 11D). Two presumptions reach people who are simply present: equipment found in a place makes that place presumed to be a drug-taking place, and anyone found in or escaping from it is presumed to have been consuming (s. 19); and a drug found in a vehicle is presumed to be in the possession of both the owner and whoever is in charge of it at the time (s. 21).

Verified Sep 13, 2026