Is Marijuana Legal in Iran?

The medical and recreational use of cannabis is illegal in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Historically, Iran’s penal law has dealt harsh penalties for those found cultivating, selling, or possessing weed, including fines, whippings, prison time, and even the death penalty. However, Iranian Islamic religious scholars ​​have at times expressed a more open-minded, flexible approach towards cannabis regulation.

These tensions have contributed to a recent overhaul of Iran’s approach to drug policy, leading to a system that still criminalizes cannabis but has removed capital punishment.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Iran

There is no legal medical cannabis program in the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, it is worth noting that cannabis has been used for medical purposes in the Middle Eastern nation. Some Iranian Muslim scholars point out that cannabis is not expressly forbidden in the Koran, with Allameh Helli (1250–1325), a leading scholar, stating, “If it has benefits [manfe’at], its sale and trade is not an issue. If it does not have benefits, then it is not permitted.” There have been ongoing debates within Islamic law about the merits and dangers of cannabis.

Nonetheless, cannabis remains illegal in Iran, with clear penalties in place for those who transgress Iranian law. Iran once had one of the most rigid anti-drug stances in the world. Harsh penalties were instated for drug-related crimes following the 1979 revolution, including capital punishment for drug trafficking.

Following substantial debate, however, Iran updated its penal law code pertaining to narcotic drugs and softened its stance in 2018. The death penalty for marijuana possession and trafficking has now been eliminated.

Nowadays, in contemporary Iran, those caught with weed receive a penalty proportionate to the quantity they possess. Penalties can include flogging (corporal punishment), fines, or prison time.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Iran

Although medical cannabis is illegal in Iran, the plant has played a role in the region’s history for centuries and still grows in diverse locations.

Iran Has a Long History of Cannabis Use

Scholars have documented that the use of cannabis in Iran dates back to before the Islamic era when the “sacred plant” was cultivated and used in Zoroastrian rituals. In the Islamic era, Sufis (Islamic mystics) used hashish in public religious ceremonies, particularly from the 13th century onwards.

Dervish Sufis consumed cannabis in a yogurt drink called “dugh-e vahdat”,  which can be translated as the “drink of unity.” Other Sufis consumed cannabis using a hashish pipe referred to as “nafir-r vahdat,” which can be translated as “the trumpet of unity with God.”

As briefly mentioned earlier, cannabis has also held a prominent place in the medicinal traditions of Iranian civilization. In The Canon of Iranian scientist Avicenna, cannabis was recommended as a helpful analgesic. The physician al-Razi also prescribed hemp leaves as a treatment for ear problems, dandruff, and even epilepsy.

Iran Has Diverse Cannabis Landraces

A study published in 2022 found that Iran boasts cannabis landraces with diverse THC and CBD content. The study’s authors reported that Iran contains rich natural cannabis resources with high THC and CBD diversity due to genetic diversity, age, nutrition, geographical, and bioclimatic factors.

Twenty different cannabis populations were included in the study, with the specimens originating from the cold and mountainous regions of the west and northwest, the warm and dry regions of the east and southeast, and the warm and wet regions of the southwest.

Ultimately, the study’s authors concluded that Iran has a strong foundation to initiate cannabis breeding programs for industrial and medical purposes.

Can You Grow Cannabis In Iran?​​

As evident in the section above, Iran has diverse climates favorable to cultivating different strains (chemovars) of cannabis, with cannabis already naturally growing in many regions. Some Iranians also cultivate weed despite its illegality, as exemplified by the rise of Iran’s “Little Amsterdam,” which saw a southwestern village called Ghalat become famed for its illicit marijuana production. Drug traffickers flocked to the area to access cheap weed.

However, the country’s Anti-narcotic Law states that the cultivation of cannabis for the purpose of producing narcotic drugs is illegal. Those found cultivating cannabis may receive penalties in the form of fines, floggings, or prison time.

The Bottom Line

History tells us that cannabis has been featured in spiritual and therapeutic contexts throughout Iran’s history until today. However, the plant is illegal for recreational or medical use in the Middle Eastern nation. Those who possess, grow, or sell cannabis or other narcotic drugs may be subject to fines, corporal punishment, or prison time.