Legal status of cocaine

Short description: Worldwide legal status of cocaine

The legal status of cocaine varies worldwide. Even though many countries have banned the sale of cocaine for recreational use, some have legalized it for possession, personal use, transportation, and cultivation, while some have decriminalized it for certain uses. It is necessary to distinguish cocaine from coca leaves or the plant itself!

## List by country

Country | Possession | Sale | Transport | Cultivation | Notes

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Afghanistan | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine is fully illegal in Afghanistan and drug trafficking and drug smuggling are sins and crimes that are punishable by death.
Argentina | Decriminalized for private use | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine is decriminalized for private and personal use or possession. The consumption and possession of fresh coca leaves for chewing and teas are legal.[1]
Armenia | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | All uses, sale, possession and use is fully illegal.
Albania | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine is effectively illegal and banned in Albania.
Australia | Legal Medically | Legal Medically | Legal Medically | Legal Medically |

Cocaine is a Schedule 8 controlled substance in Australia, that which allows certain medical use of it, but otherwise it is outlawed (controlled).[2]

Bahamas | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Possession and use is illegal.[3]
Bangladesh | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | All kind of uses, selling, cultivation and transportation is illegal.
Bolivia | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Legal | Limited private cultivation of coca is legal in Bolivia, where chewing the leaves and drinking coca tea are considered cultural practices, in particular in the mountainous regions, processed cocaine is forbidden.[4]
Brazil | Decriminalized for private use | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Public consumption and selling of cocaine are considered crimes. Punishments for public consumption include a warning about the drugs effects, community service (5 to 10 months), and educational courses or programs. Punishment for the selling of cocaine is 5 to 15 years of jail, a R$500–1,500 fine and course or program attendance. The decision on which purpose the apprehended drug had is based on judge decision.[5]
Canada | Illegal, decriminalized in the Province of British Columbia | Legal Medically | Legal Medically | Legal Medically | Possession and use is illegal.[6] Consumption, possession, purchasing and trading of cocaine is outlawed, cocaine remains as a Schedule I controlled substance. Effective January 31, 2023 possession up to 2.5 grams of cocaine, opioids, methamphetamine and MDMA by adults (age 18 and over, excluding members of the Canadian Armed Forces unless otherwise authorized[7]) is decriminalized in the Province of British Columbia due to Health Canada mandate[8][9]
Colombia | Legal (up to 1 gram) | Illegal | Illegal | Legal | Since 1994, possession of 1 gram of cocaine has been legal for personal use.[10][11] Sale remains illegal, but personal production or gifts of cocaine are permitted.
China | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Use and possession of cocaine is illegal.[12]
Germany | Legal Medically, Decriminalized | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Possession of cocaine without a medical prescription is illegal. Small amounts for personal consumption may go unpunished for first-time or non-regular offenders, however this varies by state. Usually revocation of a driving license will follow from confiscation of any drug except marijuana, since drug users are considered a road hazard.[13]
Greece | Decriminalized for private use | Legal only for medical reasons and with license by government | Illegal | Illegal | Use, possession and cultivation of class B drugs is illegal in Greece except for medical reasons. Personal use might be decriminalized. Use in public is also illegal.[14]
India | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Use and possession of cocaine is illegal with a mandatory 10-year sentence. But its often upheld and wrongly assumed and no proof has been given that Freely Available in Local Shops in Cities.[15]
Israel | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Every kind of use, possession, sale, transport and cultivation of coca leaves and even the chewing of coca leaves and brewing coca tea is fully illegal in Israel.
Italy | Decriminalized | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine possession and consumption in special and overall in small and tiny amounts is decrimalized but the sale, the trade, the deal,the growing, the production and the transportation of cocaine are considered felonies in Italy.
Japan | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Penalty for cocaine consumption: maximum of 7 years in jail.[16]
Jordan | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | All uses, possession, sale, cultivation, and production is fully illegal and forbidden even for medical or scientific reasons.
Malaysia | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Use and possession of cocaine is illegal.[17]
Mexico | Legal (up to 1/2 Gram) | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | There is no penalty for carrying up to 1/2 a gram, however any amount over that is illegal.[18]
Netherlands | Unenforced (small amounts) | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine is considered an illegal hard-drug. Possession, production and trade are not allowed as stated in the Opium Law of 1928. Although technically illegal, possession of less than half a gram usually goes unpunished.[19][20]
New Zealand | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine is a Class A drug. The coca leaf and preparations of cocaine containing no more than 0.1% cocaine base, in such a way that the cocaine cannot be recovered, are both classified as Class C, and are punishable with 3 months imprisonment and/or a fine of $500.[21][22]
Nigeria | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | It is illegal to import, manufacture, process, plant or grow, export, transport, traffic, sell, buy, expose for sale, smoke, inhale, inject, possess or deal with cocaine.[23]
Norway | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | All kind of uses, selling, cultivation and transportation is illegal.[24]
Pakistan | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Use and possession of cocaine is illegal.[25]
Philippines | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Use and possession of cocaine is illegal. Possession of cocaine is explicitly named as an illegal substance under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The possession 10 grams or more of cocaine or cocaine hydrochloride is punishable by up to life imprisonment.[26]
Peru | Legal (up to 2 grams of cocaine or 5 grams of cocaine-freebase) | Illegal | Illegal | Legal (Coca Plants) | Cultivation of coca plants is legal, and coca leaves are sold openly on markets. Similarly to Bolivia, chewing leaves and drinking coca tea are cultural practices. Possession of up to 2 grams of cocaine or up to 5 grams of coca paste is legal for personal use in Peru per Article 299 of the Peruvian Penal Code. It is important to note that if a person possess two or more kinds of drugs at the same time it is considered criminal offense.[27]
Singapore | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Trafficking of over 3 grams is punishable by death.[28]
South Africa | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | It is a criminal offense to have cocaine in your possession.[29]
Spain | Decriminalized with a fine | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine sales are strictly and fully outlawed, forbbiden, not allowed, controlled and illegal, but private use and personal cocaine consumption is decriminalized with a spot fine and is not a crime nor a felony.
Switzerland | Possession of small amounts decriminalized | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Traffickers of cocaine are sentenced with jail. Personal use is punished with a fine, contrary to common belief possession of up to 18 grams is not legal. According to a recent study, 5 Swiss cities (St Gallen, Bern, Zurich, Basel and Geneva) were listed among top 10 European cities for cocaine use.[30][31] Personal consumption and possession of small amounts, or sharing with adults free of charge is not liable to prosecution based on the Swiss federal law. [32]
Sweden | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Sweden is known and infamous for having a zero tolerance policy regarding drug trafficking and drug abuse.
Thailand | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Thailand is very strict on drugs and it is very common to be stopped, searched and asked to give urine samples on the street, especially in Bangkok. Being caught with intent to sell is punishable by 10 years to life in prison. Consumption for personal use is 1 – 10 years in prison or a fine, or both.[33]
Ukraine | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Public drug consumption is outlawed and punishable by prison time or with jail punishment but private consumption of drugs is not enforced and is not crime.
United Arab Emirates | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine trafficking is punishable by the capital punishment and drug consumption is punishable with four years in prison in the UAE.
United Kingdom | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Cocaine was first made illegal by the Dangerous Drugs Act 1920. It is now classed as a Class A drug, controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Possession carries a punishment of up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Supply and production carries a punishment of up to life in prison, an unlimited fine or both.[34] It is legal for medical use under Schedule 2 of The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.[35]
United States | Legal Medically, decriminalized in the state of Oregon | Legal Medically | Legal Medically | Legal Medically | Cocaine is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. It remains legal for medical use. While personal use has been decriminalized in Oregon state, cocaine sales and dispensaries are still illegal.
Country | Possession | Sale | Transport | Cultivation | Notes

## References

1. ↑ "Law 23737". 2021-07-24. http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/0-4999/138/texact.htm.
2. ↑ "Poisons Standard October 2015". https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01534/Html/Text.
3. ↑ "US men told to pay up or go to jail | The Tribune". tribune242.com. http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/apr/15/us-men-told-pay-or-go-jail/.
4. ↑ Ledebur, Kathryn; Farthing, Linda; Grisaffi, Thomas (7 September 2020). "Bolivia reverses years of progress with new draconian cocaine policy, supported by the EU" (in en). http://theconversation.com/bolivia-reverses-years-of-progress-with-new-draconian-cocaine-policy-supported-by-the-eu-144386.
5. ↑ "LEI Nº 11.343, DE 23 DE AGOSTO DE 2006.". Palácio do Planalto. http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2004-2006/2006/lei/l11343.htm.
6. ↑ "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act". laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/FullText.html.
7. ↑ "QR&O: Volume II – Division 2 - Service Offences and Courts Martial - Chapter 103 – Service Offences:National Defence". Department of National Defence (Canada). June 20, 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/queens-regulations-orders/vol-2-disciplinary/ch-103-service-offences.html.
8. ↑ "B.C. receives exemption to decriminalize possession of some illegal drugs for personal use: Health Canada". Health Canada. January 6, 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2022/05/bc-receives-exemption-to-decriminalize-possession-of-some-illegal-drugs-for-personal-use.html.
9. ↑ "Exemption from Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: Personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs in British Columbia (January 31, 2023 to January 31, 2026): Health Canada". Health Canada. February 1, 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/controlled-substances-precursor-chemicals/policy-regulations/policy-documents/exemption-personal-possession-small-amounts-certain-illegal-drugs-british-columbia.html.
10. ↑ Housego, Kim (2004-04-05). "As addiction rises, Colombia weighs rolling back decade-old drug legalization". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20040405-0915-legalizeddrugs.html.
11. ↑ Murphy, Jarrett (2004-04-05). "Colombia sinks in sea of legal cocaine, heroin". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/05/world/main610293.shtml.
12. ↑ "Local laws and customs - China travel advice" (in en). https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/local-laws-and-customs.
13. ↑ "Cocaine Possession in Germany" (in en). https://se-legal.de/criminal-defense-lawyer/cocaine-possession-in-germany/?lang=en.
14. ↑ "Drug law in Greece". http://www.opengov.gr/ministryofjustice/?p=1332.
15. ↑ "Drug laws in India". https://idhdp.com/media/400258/idpc-briefing-paper_drug-policy-in-india.pdf.
16. ↑ "Japan Sega game sales halted after cocaine arrest". BBC News. 13 March 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47553857.
17. ↑ "Dangerous Drugs Act in Malaysia". https://www.pharmacy.gov.my/v2/sites/default/files/document-upload/dangerous-drugs-act-1952.pdf.
18. ↑ "Heroin and cocaine now legal in Mexico - in small doses | Americas | News | The Independent". independent.co.uk. 23 October 2011. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/heroin-and-cocaine-now-legal-in-mexico-ndash-in-small-doses-1776792.html.
19. ↑ "HET OPPORTUNITEITSPRINCIPE / AFZIEN VAN STRAFVERVOLGING". http://www.lwl.org/LWL/Jugend/KoopSucht/nl/Repression/index_html#b.
20. ↑ "Drugsverbod juridisch ontmaskeren?". http://www.drugsbeleid.nl/nederlands/projecten/drugsverbod_juridisch_ontmaskeren.htm.
21. ↑ "Misuse of Drugs Act 1975". New Zealand Legislation. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1975/0116/latest/DLM436101.html.
22. ↑ "Illicit drugs – offences and penalties". http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/drugs-and-alcohol/illicit-drugs-offences-and-penalties.
23. ↑ "MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES ACT | the Complete Laws of Nigeria". http://www.placng.org/lawsofnigeria/node/193.
24. ↑ "Drug laws in Norway". https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2013-02-14-199.
25. ↑ "Drug act in Pakistan". https://www.dra.gov.pk/docs/TheDrugsAct1976111115F.pdf.
26. ↑ "Death penalty for 50g of seized illegal drugs? Sotto says, 'Hindi naman puwede 'yun'" (in en). GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/749010/death-penalty-for-50g-of-seized-illegal-drugs-sotto-says-hindi-naman-puwede-yun/story/.
27. ↑ "Overview of drug laws and legislative trends in Peru". http://www.druglawreform.info/en/country-information/peru/item/207-peru?pop=1&tmpl=component&print=1.
28. ↑ "Drug Laws in Singapore: The Strictest on the Planet" (in en). https://www.tripsavvy.com/drug-laws-in-singapore-1629780.
29. ↑ "DRUGS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING ACT". http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/1992-140.pdf.
30. ↑ "Zurich is Europe's weekend cocaine capital". 10 March 2018. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/science-saturday_zurich-is-europe-s-weekend-cocaine-capital/43961046.
31. ↑ "Youth crime: More drug use, less dealing". 6 July 2018. http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/criminal-convictions_youth-crime--more-drug-use--less-dealing/44241418.
32. ↑ "Swiss federal law on narcotics and psychotropic substances. Article 19b.". https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1952/241_241_245/de.
33. ↑ "Thailand amends drug law to reduce penalties and ensure more proportionate sentencing". https://idpc.net/blog/2017/02/thailand-amends-drug-law-to-reduce-penalties-and-ensure-more-proportionate-sentencing.
34. ↑ "Drugs penalties - GOV.UK". https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing.
35. ↑ "Controlled drugs and drug dependence - bnf.nice.org.uk". https://bnf.nice.org.uk/guidance/controlled-drugs-and-drug-dependence.html#:~:text=Schedule 2 includes opiates (e.g.,for medicinal use in humans..

## Further reading

* "Booming cocaine production suggests the war on drugs has failed. Now some politicians in Latin America and Europe are saying so publicly". The Economist. Oct 13, 2022. https://www.economist.com/international/2022/10/13/booming-cocaine-production-suggests-the-war-on-drugs-has-failed.

* v
* t
* e

Recreational drug use

Major
recreational
drugs|

| Depressants|

* Barbiturates
* Benzodiazepines
* Carbamates
* Ethanol (alcohol)
* Alcoholic drinks
* Beer
* Wine
* Gabapentinoids
* GHB
* Inhalants
* Medical
* Nitrous oxide
* Hazardous solvents
* contact adhesives
* Gasoline
* nail polish remover
* Paint thinner
* Other
* Freon
* Kava
* Nonbenzodiazepines
* Quinazolinones

|

Opioids|

* Buprenorphine
* Suboxone
* Subutex
* Codeine
* Desomorphine
* Krokodil
* Dextropropoxyphene
* Darvocet
* Darvon
* Fentanyl
* Diamorphine
* Heroin
* Hydrocodone
* Hydromorphone
* Dilaudid
* Methadone
* Mitragyna speciosa
* Kratom
* Morphine
* Opium
* Oxycodone
* /paracetamol
* Tramadol

Stimulants|

* Amphetamine
* Arecoline
* Areca
* Betel
* Caffeine
* Coffee
* Energy drinks
* Tea
* Cathinone
* Khat
* Cocaine
* Coca
* Crack
* Ephedrine
* Ephedra
* MDPV
* Mephedrone
* Methamphetamine
* Methylone
* Methylphenidate
* Modafinil
* Nicotine
* Tobacco
* Theobromine
* Cocoa
* Chocolate

Entactogens|

* 2C series
* 6-APB
* Benzofury
* AMT
* MDA
* MDMA
* Ecstasy

Hallucinogens|

| Psychedelics|

* Bufotenin
* Psychoactive toads
* Vilca
* Yopo
* DMT
* Ayahuasca
* LSA
* LSD-25
* Mescaline
* Peruvian torch
* Peyote
* San Pedro
* Psilocybin / Psilocin
* Psilocybin mushrooms

|

Dissociatives|

* DXM
* Glaucine
* Inhalants
* Nitrous oxide
* alkyl nitrites
* poppers
* amyl nitrite
* Ketamine
* MXE
* Muscimol
* Amanita muscaria
* PCP
* Salvinorin A
* Salvia divinorum

Deliriants|

* Atropine and Scopolamine
* Atropa belladonna
* Datura
* Hyoscyamus niger
* Mandragora officinarum
* Dimenhydrinate
* Diphenhydramine

Cannabinoids|

* JWH-018
* THC
* Cannabis
* Hashish
* Hash oil
* Marijuana

Oneirogens|

* Calea zacatechichi
* Silene capensis

Club drugs|

* Cocaine
* Quaaludes
* MDMA (Ecstasy)
* Nitrous oxide
* Poppers

Drug culture|

| Cannabis culture|

* 420
* Cannabis cultivation
* Cannabis smoking
* Head shop
* Legal history of cannabis in the United States
* Legality of cannabis
* Marijuana Policy Project
* Medical cannabis
* NORML
* Cannabis and religion
* Stoner film

|

Coffee culture|

* Coffee break
* Coffeehouse
* Latte art
* Tea house

Drinking culture|

* Bartending
* Beer culture
* Beer festival
* Binge drinking
* Diethyl ether
* Drinking games
* Drinking song
* Happy hour
* Hip flask
* Nightclub
* Pub
* Pub crawl
* Sommelier
* Sports bar
* Tailgate party
* Wine bar
* Wine tasting

Psychedelia|

* Psychonautics
* Art
* Drug
* Era
* Experience
* Literature
* Music
* Microdosing
* Therapy

Smoking culture|

* Cigarette card
* Fashion cigarettes
* Cloud-chasing
* Loosie
* Smokeasy
* Smoking fetishism
* Tobacco smoking

Other|

* Club drug
* Counterculture of the 1960s
* Dance party
* Drug paraphernalia
* Drug tourism
* Entheogen
* Hippie
* Needle sharing
* Nootropic
* Party and play
* Poly drug use
* Rave
* Religion and drugs
* Self-medication
* Sex and drugs
* Whoonga

Drug
production
and trade|

| Drug
production|

* Coca production in Colombia
* Drug precursors
* Opium production in Afghanistan
* Rolling meth lab

|

Drug trade|

* Illegal drug trade
* Colombia
* Darknet market
* Drug distribution
* Beer shop
* Cannabis shop
* Liquor store
* Liquor license

Issues with
drug use|

* Abuse
* Date rape drug
* Impaired driving
* Drug harmfulness
* Effects of cannabis
* Addiction
* Dependence
* Prevention
* Opioid replacement therapy
* Rehabilitation
* Responsible use
* Drug-related crime
* Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
* Long-term effects of cannabis
* Neurotoxicity
* Overdose
* Passive smoking
* of tobacco or other substances

Legality of
drug use|

| International|

* 1961 Narcotic Drugs
* 1971 Psychotropic Substances
* 1988 Drug Trafficking
* Council of the European Union decisions on designer drugs

|

State level|

* Drug policy
* Decriminalization
* Prohibition
* Supply reduction
* Policy reform
* Demand reduction
* Drug Policy Alliance
* Harm reduction
* Law Enforcement Action Partnership
* Liberalization
* Latin America
* Students for Sensible Drug Policy
* Transform Drug Policy Foundation

Drug policy
by country|

* Australia
* Canada
* Germany
* India
* Netherlands
* Portugal
* Slovakia
* Soviet Union
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* United States
* Just Say No
* Office of National Drug Control Policy
* School district drug policies
* California
* Colorado
* Maryland
* Virginia

Other|

* Arguments for and against drug prohibition
* Capital punishment for drug trafficking
* Cognitive liberty
* Designer drug
* Drug court
* Drug possession
* Drug test
* Narc
* Politics of drug abuse
* War on Drugs
* Mexican Drug War
* Plan Colombia
* Philippine Drug War
* Zero tolerance

Lists of
countries by...|

* Alcohol legality
* Alcohol consumption
* Anabolic steroid legality
* Cannabis legality
* Annual use
* Lifetime use
* Cigarette consumption
* Cocaine legality
* Cocaine use
* Methamphetamine legality
* Opiates use
* Psilocybin mushrooms legality
* Salvia legality

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