Is Marijuana Legal in Turks and Caicos?

Marijuana is illegal in Turks and Caicos for both medical and recreational use. The islands are a British overseas territory, but although the United Kingdom does have a medical marijuana program, and Turks and Caicos’ legal system is modeled after English law, the islands do have their own independent legal system, and current laws prohibit cannabis. Both residents and visitors to the islands should be aware of the inherent risks of transporting cannabis to or from the islands, as well as buying marijuana to consume on the islands.

As the legal system in Turks and Caicos is modeled after British law, cannabis is considered a Class B drug.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Turks and Caicos

As cannabis is entirely illegal in Turks and Caicos, there is no medical marijuana program on the islands. Medical marijuana patients visiting from nations that do have medical cannabis should avoid bringing any cannabis to Turks and Caicos. Even if you have a valid medical card from the United States, the United Kingdom, or any other country with a valid medical cannabis program, you must follow local laws or face severe penalties.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Turks and Caicos

There are plenty of reasons to visit the Turks and Caicos islands — gorgeous beaches like Grace Bay being just one. Cannabis, however, is not one of those reasons. Beyond a simple awareness that cannabis is considered an illicit drug on the islands, there are a few other things you should be aware of when it comes to recreational and medical cannabis in Turks and Caicos.

Penalties for Possession Are Severe

Current penalties for possessing cannabis in any form (flower, edibles, resin, etc.) are severe. If convicted of cannabis possession, you could face a $40,000 fine, three years in prison, or potentially even both.

The penalties for more severe crimes, like possession with intent to sell, are obviously even more extreme, with a fine of $50,000 and a four-year prison sentence. If you are sentenced before the Supreme Court (e.g., possession with the intent to supply a large amount), penalties can be even harsher.

Needless to say, while having a medical card has many benefits in the U.S., those benefits are unfortunately voided by criminal penalties when it comes to other countries, as overseas cards are not seen as valid. This lack of recognition of medical cannabis patients extends to British citizens, who may have limited access to medical cannabis in their home country.

CBD Is Also Illegal

It would be a simple but potentially costly mistake to assume CBD is legal in Turks and Caicos. CBD was broadly made federally legal in the United States under the 2018 Farm Bill  —  though some exceptions exist in states like Nebraska. With no similar legislation in Turks and Caicos, however, visitors and residents should be aware that even though CBD will not get you high, it is not legal in Turks and Caicos.

Even if you are bringing CBD products that contain no THC, you should not assume that legal consequences will be less severe than if you bring marijuana itself, as both CBD and cannabis are considered illegal drugs in Turks and Caicos.

Can You Grow Cannabis in Turks and Caicos?

No, you cannot grow cannabis in Turks and Caicos since it is considered an illicit drug. If the islands do develop and legalize a medical marijuana program, that could change for patients, but this is not something patients should count on. Right now, any benefits to growing your marijuana plants in Turks and Caicos are not worth the legal risks.

The Bottom Line

You may read anecdotal accounts online suggesting that cannabis is softly permitted in certain areas of the Turks and Caicos islands based on past tourist experiences, but these accounts ignore the reality of the risks imposed by current laws. Under current cannabis laws, marijuana is completely illegal in Turks and Caicos, and it is not worth the risk to go against local laws.

There are no exceptions for medical cannabis or CBD products. If you currently benefit from medical marijuana in a legal jurisdiction, you will want to take a break from consuming cannabis products while visiting the islands.