Cannabis in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad decriminalized cannabis for everyone in 2019, including visitors. The catch is there is nowhere legal to buy. Here is what the 30-gram framework actually means on the ground in 2026.
Last verified: May 17, 2026 · Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2019
Current cannabis laws in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago decriminalized cannabis on December 23, 2019 with the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act. The law uses a tiered approach that distinguishes personal use from commercial activity.
| Amount | Treatment |
|---|---|
| 30g or less | Not a criminal offence. No arrest, no charge, no record. |
| 30g to 60g | Fixed penalty fine, paid like a traffic ticket. No criminal record. |
| Over 60g | Criminal offence prosecuted in court. Potential imprisonment. |
| Cannabis resin under 5g | Decriminalized on the same no-charge basis. |
| Home cultivation | Up to 4 plants per adult, on private property, for personal use. |
| Public smoking | Remains an offence regardless of amount. |
| Trafficking and supply | Criminal, heavier sentences. |
The 2019 amendment also created an expungement pathway for prior cannabis convictions involving the now-decriminalized amounts. People previously convicted of carrying small quantities can apply to have those records cleared.
What the 2019 law did not do
Trinidad and Tobago decriminalized possession and home cultivation. It did not legalize sales. There are no licensed dispensaries, no herb houses, no permitted commercial activity. Buying cannabis remains a transaction that takes place outside the regulated economy, while consuming what you bought is no longer a criminal matter for amounts under 30 grams.
This is a deliberate design. The government signaled at the time that a separate Cannabis Control Bill would follow to establish a regulated medical and adult-use market. That bill has been discussed for years and has not been enacted.
Medical marijuana in Trinidad and Tobago
There is no formal medical cannabis program in Trinidad and Tobago as of 2026. Doctors cannot prescribe cannabis through a regulated channel. Patients who use cannabis for medical reasons rely on the same decriminalized personal-possession framework that applies to recreational users.
The proposed Cannabis Control Bill would change this by establishing licensing for cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, and a medical program. Until it passes, medical use exists only in the same gray space as personal use.
For tourists visiting Trinidad and Tobago
The decriminalization applies equally to residents and visitors. Carry 30 grams or less and you are within the law. You will not be arrested or charged for personal use. The catch is that there is nowhere legal to buy it.
A few practical points for visitors:
- Use discretion. Public smoking is still an offence. Stick to private property or your hotel room if it allows it.
- Stay under 30g. Crossing the threshold flips you from decriminalized to fined or criminally charged.
- Avoid the airport with any quantity. International airports still treat cannabis as a controlled substance for departure and arrival.
- Carnival season. Enforcement priorities shift but the law does not. The 30-gram framework still applies during Carnival.
Cannabis Control Bill
The proposed Cannabis Control Bill would establish:
- A licensing framework for cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing
- A medical cannabis program with prescriber registration
- A regulated commercial market for adult-use sales
- Tax and revenue structures
The bill has been the subject of consultation papers and parliamentary discussion since 2020. It has not been enacted. Until it passes, the 2019 decriminalization remains the only legal change in force.
Recent news and changes
- 2019, December 23: Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act takes effect. 30g decriminalized, 4 plants allowed at home, expungement pathway created.
- 2020 and after: Cannabis Control Bill drafted and consulted on. No enactment.
- 2026: Decriminalization framework continues unchanged. No regulated market in place.
Frequently asked questions
Is weed legal in Trinidad and Tobago?
Cannabis is decriminalized for personal use under the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2019. Possession of 30 grams or less carries no criminal charge. Adults can grow up to 4 plants at home. There is no legal retail. Public smoking remains an offence.
What is the legal amount of weed in Trinidad?
30 grams (about 1 ounce) is the threshold for no criminal charge. Between 30 and 60 grams is a fixed penalty fine, not a criminal record. Over 60 grams becomes a criminal offence with potential imprisonment. For cannabis resin, the no-charge threshold is 5 grams.
Can tourists have weed in Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes. The 30-gram decriminalization applies to everyone, residents and tourists alike. You will not be arrested or face a criminal charge for personal-use quantities. There is no licensed retail, so the question of where you bought it remains a gray zone.
Is marijuana legal in Trinidad and Tobago?
Marijuana is decriminalized, not legalized. Personal possession and home growing are allowed within the limits set by the 2019 law, but commercial sale, public smoking, and trafficking remain illegal. A separate Cannabis Control Bill that would create a regulated market has been discussed for years without becoming law.
Can you grow weed at home in Trinidad?
Yes. Adults can grow up to 4 cannabis plants at home for personal use under the 2019 law. The plants must be on private property. The law does not address acquisition of seeds, which sits in the same gray zone as retail.
Is there a dispensary in Trinidad and Tobago?
No. Trinidad and Tobago has no licensed dispensaries, herb houses, or legal cannabis retail of any kind. The 2019 decriminalization covered possession and home cultivation but did not establish a regulated retail framework. The pending Cannabis Control Bill would create one.
When was weed decriminalized in Trinidad?
Cannabis was decriminalized in Trinidad and Tobago on December 23, 2019, when the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act came into force. The law also created an expungement pathway for prior cannabis convictions involving the now-decriminalized amounts.
What are the penalties for over 30g of weed in Trinidad?
Between 30 and 60 grams: a fixed penalty fine, paid like a traffic ticket, with no criminal record. Over 60 grams: a criminal offence prosecuted in court, with potential imprisonment. Trafficking and intent to supply carry significantly heavier sentences.