Is Marijuana Legal in Taiwan?

In Taiwan, cannabis and its derivative products are considered illegal Category 2 drugs, per the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, in the same class as opium and coca. There is no medical marijuana program, and those who manufacture, possess, sell, or transport cannabis are subject to severe punishments, including steep fines and prison time.

In June 2020, the Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare clarified that cannabidiol (CBD) is legal for medical and personal use if it contains less than 0.001% THC. However, people can only obtain CBD products through a doctor’s prescription and must get or import legal CBD products from other countries.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Taiwan

Cannabis and the people of Taiwan have long been intertwined, with the use of the plant there and throughout East Asia documented as far back as 8,000 BCE. But the wave of anti-marijuana prohibition in the mid-1900s led Taiwan’s government to introduce The Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act. Per this law, all types of cannabis and its derivatives are considered harmful narcotic drugs on the same level as amphetamines. Despite several decades of research showcasing its medical benefits and a growing cultural movement championing decriminalization, Taiwan’s government seems unlikely to budge on its stance soon.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, however, Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare made an announcement clarifying some nuance in the law: CBD products would be allowed with a prescription as long as they contained no more than 0.001% THC. As such, medical marijuana products such as Epidiolex, Marinol, and Sativex are allowed in very limited circumstances, though these must be imported or procured from other countries. This means that some medicinal cannabis products containing THC are possible to get a prescription for in some instances.

Outside these circumstances, Taiwan’s government has publicly stated its opposition to cannabis for personal use. Advocacy groups such as Green Sensation have championed law reform through public demonstrations and circulating petitions with over 14,000 signatures. These actions suggest a slowly shifting cultural view on weed, particularly among young people.

Additional cannabis reform doesn’t seem likely any time soon, even around medical use. In 2022, Taiwan passed a new law that reduced its sentence for cannabis cultivation or simple possession for personal use from a minimum of five years to a maximum of seven years. Otherwise, the country retains its zero-tolerance stance against marijuana use.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Taiwan

Visitors cannot access cannabis in Taiwan. Similarly, you cannot bring it into the country. If you’re planning a visit to the area, it is recommended that you leave your cannabis (including CBD) at home, even if you have a medical marijuana card.

Cannabis Is Recreationally Illegal in Taiwan

The cultivation, sale, production, or possession of any form of cannabis products is prohibited in Taiwan. Marijuana products are considered in the same class of illegal drugs as opium and coca, and enforcement is taken seriously by local authorities.

Personal possession or cultivation of weed or cannabis products will land people up to seven years in prison and a maximum fine of NT$1 million (roughly $32,500). Those found manufacturing, transporting, or selling cannabis face more severe penalties, including lifetime imprisonment or, in the most serious cases, the death penalty.

Four Types of THC Medicine Are Legal

A clarification of Taiwan’s drug laws in 2020 suggested that CBD products with 0.001% THC are legal, but only via a prescription and if imported or purchased abroad. The only four legal medical cannabis products that meet Taiwan’s requirements are Epidiolex, Marinol, Sativex, and Syndros.

CBD Is Legal in Taiwan But Hard to Access

As stated above, CBD products are legal in Taiwan but only with a doctor’s prescription. The legally permitted amount of THC in CBD products is 200 times lower than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard of 0.2%, making it challenging to find permissible CBD products and risky for those who don’t read their labels or lab tests closely.

Due to the challenges facing CBD access, there is practically a nonexistent CBD market in the Southeast Asia country. There are no approved domestic CBD drugs within Taiwan’s borders, and no laws allow for the sale of imported products.

Can You Grow Cannabis In Taiwan?

No, you cannot grow cannabis in Taiwan. Cannabis cultivation, including industrial hemp, is illegal in Taiwan per the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.

The Bottom Line

Shifting cultural attitudes are pushing for decriminalization and access to marijuana for medical use in Taiwan, but reform is slowly going. Marijuana is still very illegal in Taiwan and faces an uphill battle before people can access anything besides limited CBD products for medical purposes.