Is Marijuana Legal in Indonesia?

Marijuana in Indonesia is illegal, and the country carries some of the strictest laws and drug penalties worldwide.

The cannabis plant and all parts of the cannabis genus, including hemp, are considered narcotics and subject to strict punishments such as life in prison or death (capital punishment) if caught by law enforcement.

Despite these restrictions, a growing activist movement is pushing to legalize medical marijuana in Indonesia.

While laws about marijuana for medical purposes have yet to pass through Indonesia’s government, hope remains on the horizon.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Indonesia

Today, cannabis is wholly outlawed in Indonesia.

But, the country has a history of its use, dating back as early as the 10th century, with early evidence of use and cultivation found in various regions.

Cannabis was also cultivated when Indonesia was called the Dutch East Indies, ruled by the Dutch colonial government, and used to create various hemp products for trade. In the realm of medicinal purposes, cannabis was used to treat conditions ranging from asthma to gonorrhea.

In the age of Prohibition, the Dutch government restricted cannabis use and access in the 1927 Decree on Narcotic Drugs.

Per this anti-narcotics law, cannabis cultivation, production, import and export, and use were completely prohibited except by permission from the government for medical and scientific purposes.

Following the departure of Dutch rule, the newly established Indonesian government passed a series of anti-narcotic laws that limited the already heavily restricted cannabis and other psychoactive substances.

However, the 1970s led to the “Free Aceh” movement in the Aceh region, where activists started cultivating cannabis. In a violent clash in the 1980s between the Aceh province separatists and the Indonesian military, thousands of people were left dead, tortured, or otherwise harmed.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Indonesia

Medical Cannabis Is Illegal in Indonesia

All types of cannabis, including recreational, medical, or hemp, are banned in Indonesia.

The use of cannabis can lead to a prison sentence of up to four years, including fines.

Possessing any part of the plant — including hemp — incurs even more severe punishments resulting in up to 12 years in prison and a fine of roughly $560,000.

The production, sale, import, or export of cannabis can earn up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $676,473.

Some Marijuana Violations Risk the Death Penalty

In rare cases, the penalty for marijuana in Indonesia can be death.

These usually occur with drug smuggling in quantities over 1 kilogram (kg) or more than five plants, but home-growers could easily risk a potential arrest and charge.

In 2005, two of nine travelers from Australia arrested for heroin trafficking were executed by firing squad. Today, Indonesian law remains one of the most strict worldwide, so it’s best not to risk cannabis use in the country.

Activists Are Pushing Towards Legalization and More Research

In 2020, three mothers of children with cerebral palsy, including the now-known Santi Warastuti, petitioned to review the country’s anti-narcotic laws.

If successful, this might have paved the way for medical marijuana legalization.

The judicial review was rejected by Indonesia’s Constitutional Court in 2022 on the basis that there was insufficient medical evidence from Indonesian research.

However, the court urged the government to start researching the use of narcotics and cannabis for medical purposes.

Can You Grow Cannabis In Indonesia?

You cannot grow cannabis in Indonesia.

Cannabis cultivation is illegal in the country and can incur severe punishment, up to life imprisonment, depending on the number of plants and perceived intent to sell or distribute.

The Bottom Line

With such strict laws, medical marijuana doesn’t look to be available in Indonesia anytime soon.

Using marijuana or possessing any part of the cannabis plant is not recommended as its use incurs harsh penalties, including the death penalty in some severe cases.