Legal status of cocaine

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Caution: the legal status of cocaine fluctuates. This list and map may be out of date.
  Legal
  Legal for medical use.
  Decriminalized
  Illegal
  Data unavailable.

The production, distribution and sale of cocaine is restricted (and/or illegal) under most jurisdictions.

List by country[edit]

Country Possession Sale Transport Cultivation Notes
 Australia Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Cocaine is a Schedule 8 (controlled) drug permitting some medical use, but is otherwise outlawed.[1]
 Bahamas Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Possession and use is illegal.[2]
 Bolivia Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal 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 illegal.[citation needed]
 Brazil Decriminalized Illegal Illegal Illegal Consumption and selling of cocaine are crimes. Punishments for 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.[3]
 Canada Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Possession and use is illegal. [4] Cocaine remains a Schedule I narcotic.
 Colombia Legal (up to 1 gram) Illegal Illegal Illegal Since 1994, possession of 1 gram of cocaine has been legal for personal use.[5][6] Sale remains illegal, but personal production or gifts of cocaine are permitted.
 Czech Republic Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Possession of small amount under 1 gram just for personal use is illegal acording to Misdemeanour Law(Act no. 200/1990), possession of higher amount, or for other then just own personal use is illegal according to Criminal code.
 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.[citation needed]
 Hong Kong Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Use and possession of cocaine is illegal.[citation needed]
 India Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Use and possession of cocaine is illegal with a mandatory 10-year sentence.[citation needed]
 Mexico Legal (up to 1/2 Gram) Illegal Illegal Illegal There is no punishment for carrying up to 1/2 a gram, however any amount over that is illegal. [7]
 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.[8][9]
 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.[10][11]
 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.[citation needed][12]
 Pakistan Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Use and possession of cocaine is illegal.[citation needed]
 Peru Legal (up to 2 grams) 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.[13]
 Portugal Decriminalized Illegal Illegal Illegal Personal use of cocaine is decriminalized. Drug abuse is dealt with by administrative and medical intervention. Trafficking is illegal.[14]
 Saudi Arabia Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Use and possession of cocaine is punishable by death.[citation needed]
 Singapore Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Use and possession is punishable by death.
 South Africa Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal It is a crime to have cocaine in your possession.[citation needed][15]
  Switzerland Decriminalized Illegal Illegal Illegal Trafficking of cocaine is sentenced with jail, however personal use is punished with a fine.
 United Kingdom Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Cocaine is a Class A drug, controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. However, medical use by doctors for controlling pain is permitted.[16]
 United States Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Legal Medically Cocaine is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. It is available in a liquid preparation for use in hospitals or medical/surgical centers, but is not available for prescription.[17]
Country Possession Sale Transport Cultivation Notes

References[edit]

  1. ^ Poisons Standard (July 2016) https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01534/Html/Text#_Toc420496379
  2. ^ "US men told to pay up or go to jail | The Tribune". tribune242.com. Retrieved 2016-05-15. 
  3. ^ "LEI Nº 11.343, DE 23 DE AGOSTO DE 2006.". Palácio do Planalto. Retrieved 2014-05-09. 
  4. ^ "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act". laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-05-15. 
  5. ^ Housego, Kim (2004-04-05). "As addiction rises, Colombia weighs rolling back decade-old drug legalization". Associated Press. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2009-08-09. 
  6. ^ Murphy, Jarrett (2004-04-05). "Colombia sinks in sea of legal cocaine, heroin". CBS News. Retrieved 2009-08-09. 
  7. ^ "Heroin and cocaine now legal in Mexico – in small doses | Americas | News | The Independent". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-15. 
  8. ^ HET OPPORTUNITEITSPRINCIPE / AFZIEN VAN STRAFVERVOLGING
  9. ^ Drugsverbod juridisch ontmaskeren?
  10. ^ "Misuse of Drugs Act 1975". New Zealand Legislation. Retrieved 2011-12-10. 
  11. ^ http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/drugs-and-alcohol/illicit-drugs-offences-and-penalties
  12. ^ http://www.placng.org/lawsofnigeria/node/193
  13. ^ "Overview of drug laws and legislative trends in Peru". Retrieved 2014-04-12.  |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  14. ^ Greenwald, Glenn; Peter Reuter; Tim Lynch (2009-04-03). "Lessons for Creating Fair and Successful Drug Policies" (PDF). Drug Decriminalization in Portugal. Cato Institute. 
  15. ^ http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/1992-140.pdf
  16. ^ Home Office: Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship, 2007, p 121
  17. ^ "How cocaine can be used in sinus surgery". kevinmd.com. Retrieved 2016-05-15. 
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