How to Buy Weed in Bali: What Every Tourist Needs to Know About Indonesia’s Cannabis Laws

Every cannabis enthusiast dreaming of a Bali vacation faces a harsh reality: there is no legal way to buy weed in Bali. Indonesia has strict drug laws with severe penalties, including potential capital punishment for some trafficking offenses. Cannabis is classified as Narcotics Category I under Law No. 35/2009, grouping it with heroin and cocaine. The dream of combining tropical paradise with cannabis relaxation could result in years of imprisonment or, for trafficking offenses meeting certain thresholds, even the death penalty. With approximately 530 people on death row (mostly for drug offenses) and a legal framework that offers zero exceptions for tourists or medical patients, understanding Indonesia’s cannabis laws isn’t just advisable; it’s essential for your freedom and safety. While platforms like Herb’s dispensary directory help you find legal cannabis in regions where it’s permitted, Bali represents the opposite extreme: a zero-tolerance jurisdiction where any cannabis possession carries severe consequences.

• Cannabis is 100% illegal in Indonesia with no medical or recreational exceptions
• Possession of any amount can result in 4 to 12 years imprisonment and fines up to 8 billion IDR (approximately $476,000 USD)
• Approximately 530 people are on death row, mostly for drug offenses; courts continue to impose death sentences, though executions have been paused since July 2016 (as of February 2026)
• All cannabis derivatives including CBD, hemp, and 0% THC products are illegal regardless of origin
• Foreign prescriptions are not recognized, including for medical cannabis and CBD; bringing medical marijuana from home countries constitutes international drug trafficking
• Ngurah Rai International Airport maintains strict screening; travelers should assume thorough baggage inspections can occur
• Recent tourist arrests include cases involving travelers from Australia, Brazil, and the United States
• Embassies cannot secure your release; they can only provide consular visits and legal referrals

The root cause of Bali’s cannabis prohibition isn’t cultural acceptance or local attitudes; it’s a comprehensive legal framework that treats cannabis as one of the most dangerous substances on earth. Indonesia’s Law No. 35/2009 classifies cannabis as a Narcotics Category I substance, grouping it with heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This classification stems from the government’s position that cannabis has “high abuse potential with no recognized medical value,” a stance that has remained unchanged despite global legalization trends. It is worth noting, however, that penalties vary depending on the offense and quantity involved; possession, trafficking, and production each carry distinct sentencing ranges.

For tourists accustomed to legal cannabis markets in the United States, Canada, or even neighboring Thailand, this represents a dramatic shift in legal landscape. The consequences of misunderstanding or ignoring these laws are severe and life-altering:

• Complete prohibition: No recreational cannabis program exists
• No medical exceptions: Even patients with legitimate medical conditions cannot access cannabis legally
• Zero tolerance for foreign documents: Medical prescriptions from home countries are confiscated and treated as evidence of drug trafficking
• Universal application: Indonesian law applies equally to all individuals regardless of nationality, age, or intent

This legal framework creates a situation where the only safe approach for cannabis consumers is complete abstinence while in Indonesia. The absence of any legal purchase options means that any cannabis acquisition, whether through street dealers, online sources, or personal import, constitutes a criminal offense with potentially devastating consequences.

The consequences of cannabis possession in Bali extend far beyond simple fines or warnings. Indonesia’s penalty structure is designed to deter drug use through severe punishment, with even minor possession triggering significant legal consequences:

Personal Use/Consumption

• Up to 4 years imprisonment
• Mandatory rehabilitation (rarely applied in practice)

Simple Possession

• 4 to 12 years imprisonment
• Fines of 800 million to 8 billion IDR (approximately $48,000 to $476,000 USD at current exchange rates)

Aggravated Possession (more than 1 kg or more than 5 plants for plant form, or more than 5 grams for non-plant form)

• 5 to 20 years OR life imprisonment
• Enhanced fines

Production/Import/Export

• 5 to 15 years imprisonment (baseline); life or death possible at specified quantity thresholds
• Fines of 1 to 10 billion IDR (approximately $60,000 to $596,000 USD)

Distribution/Trafficking

• 5 to 20 years or life imprisonment (baseline); death possible at specified quantity thresholds
• Fines of 1 to 10 billion IDR (approximately $60,000 to $596,000 USD)

Large-Scale Trafficking (more than 1 kg or more than 5 plants)

• Death penalty or life imprisonment
• Fines exceeding 10 billion IDR (approximately $596,000+ USD)

Recent cases demonstrate the real-world application of these penalties. In June 2025, an Australian woman was detained at Bali airport over prescribed medicinal marijuana; she was later released without charges. In a widely reported 2022 case, a Brazilian student was arrested with 9.1 g of marijuana that had been purchased legally in Thailand. These cases illustrate that ignorance of the law, medical necessity, or legal purchase in other countries provides no protection under Indonesian law.

The prison conditions add another layer of severity to these penalties. Kerobokan Prison, Bali’s main facility, has historically been reported as operating at severe overcapacity, with reports from prior years describing approximately 1,400 inmates in a facility designed for roughly 300. Prisoners often must pay for basic services including healthcare, and the overcrowded conditions create additional health and safety risks. Bali corrections authorities have announced plans to open a new facility in 2026 to help ease overcrowding.

Ngurah Rai International Airport serves as the primary entry point for most tourists visiting Bali, and it represents one of the highest-risk locations for cannabis-related arrests. Indonesian customs maintains strict screening, and travelers should assume that thorough baggage inspections, including both checked and carry-on luggage, can occur at any time.

• Baggage screening for all incoming passengers
• Random customs inspections targeting both arriving and transit passengers
• Strict enforcement posture consistent with Indonesia’s zero-tolerance drug policy

The items that commonly trigger arrests include:

• CBD oil bottles (even with medical prescriptions)
• Hemp-based lotions and cosmetics
• Marijuana edibles in food packaging
• Cannabis residue in luggage or clothing
• Vape cartridges containing THC
• Prescription medical marijuana from home countries

The critical warning for travelers is that bringing any cannabis product into Indonesia constitutes international drug trafficking under the narcotics law. Importing Narcotics Category I substances carries minimum 5-year sentences, with life imprisonment or the death penalty possible at specified quantity thresholds. This applies even to products that are legal in the traveler’s home country or purchased legally in transit countries.

Customs officials have broad authority to search luggage, clothing, and accessories. Packages and shipments sent by mail are also subject to screening and can lead to investigation and arrest if controlled substances are detected.

While airports represent the highest concentration of enforcement activity, tourist areas throughout Bali are also subject to regular police operations. The enforcement intensity varies by location, but all popular tourist destinations carry significant risk:

Extremely High Risk

• Ngurah Rai Airport: Zero tolerance with strict screening procedures

Very High Risk

• Kuta & Legian: Frequent nightclub and bar raids
• Seminyak: Undercover operations in beach clubs and venues

High Risk

• Canggu: Growing enforcement focus in beach clubs and party areas
• Denpasar: General police presence as the capital city

Moderate-High Risk

• Ubud: Monitoring of wellness retreats and yoga communities

Moderate Risk

• Sanur: Random street checks with less nightlife activity
• Nusa Dua: Resort security cooperation with minimal raids

Common police tactics include unannounced venue raids, mandatory urine/blood tests if “reasonable suspicion” exists, undercover officers posing as dealers, and sting operations with local informants. Testing positive for drugs, even if consumed outside Indonesia, constitutes grounds for arrest under Indonesian law.

The risk of bribery exists but is unreliable and dangerous. Some tourists report the ability to “pay off” police for minor incidents, but this often leads to larger extortion demands and can result in additional charges for attempting to bribe officials. The inconsistency of this approach means that wealthy tourists may avoid detention while poorer tourists face imprisonment, creating an unpredictable and dangerous legal environment.

Despite global trends toward medical cannabis legalization, Indonesia maintains a complete prohibition with no medical program or exceptions. This creates a particularly dangerous situation for medical patients who may assume that their legitimate medical needs will be respected or that foreign prescriptions will be honored.

Key Facts About Medical Cannabis in Indonesia:

• No medical program exists: Indonesia has not established any legal framework for medical cannabis access
• Foreign prescriptions are not recognized: The U.S. State Department warns that “a medical prescription does not make these substances legal” in Indonesia. Australia’s Smartraveller echoes the same warning. Medical marijuana from home countries, including CBD, will be confiscated and treated as evidence of drug trafficking
• Legal challenges have failed: A petition filed in 2020 was rejected by the court in 2022; another petition was rejected in 2024
• Research announcements don’t equal access: While the BNN announced medical cannabis research in May 2025, no policy changes have been implemented as of February 2026

The case of Fidelis Arie in 2017 illustrates the harsh reality of Indonesia’s medical cannabis prohibition. Arie was arrested for using cannabis oil to treat his dying wife, sentenced to 8 months in prison plus a 1 billion rupiah fine (approximately $60,000 USD), and his wife died during his incarceration. The court showed no leniency despite the clear medical necessity of his actions.

For tourists with medical cannabis prescriptions, the only safe approach is to leave all cannabis products at home and research alternative legal treatments available in Indonesia. The potential consequences of bringing medical marijuana into the country far outweigh any perceived benefits.

While multiple platforms exist for cannabis information, Herb delivers unique advantages specifically designed for cannabis consumers navigating complex legal landscapes and seeking quality education.

Herb goes beyond basic information with its comprehensive educational platform that includes:

• Detailed Strain Guides: In-depth profiles of thousands of strains with effects, flavors, and growing information for legal markets
• Global Legal Coverage: Extensive editorial content covering cannabis laws, legalization updates, and international travel considerations
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• Learning Resources: From beginner guides to advanced consumption techniques and legal awareness

Unlike generic travel or legal information sites, Herb combines global cannabis knowledge with practical travel guidance, helping you understand not just where cannabis is legal, but how to navigate complex international legal environments safely. The platform’s commitment to education ensures you have the information needed to make informed decisions about international travel while staying compliant with local laws. In the context of Bali and Indonesia, Herb’s strongest value is helping travelers understand that official travel advisories explicitly warn about CBD, THC, and hemp products, and that no prescription provides legal protection.

For cannabis consumers serious about responsible international travel while expanding their cannabis knowledge, Herb’s comprehensive approach provides the tools and information needed to explore the world safely and legally. The platform’s focus on the 14 million passionate community members who make up the #1 cannabis community for Millennials and Gen Z ensures that content remains relevant, accurate, and focused on real-world scenarios that matter to cannabis consumers.