Here in the USA and especially at the OCW offices in Southern California, laws pertaining to cannabis are slowly becoming more lenient while culture looks at cannabis with a “might as well just be legal” eye. However, there are some countries that do not feel the same way. In these countries cannabis can cost you your life.
1. Saudi Arabia.
In January of 2005, an Iraqi and Pakistani were both beheaded as punishment for trying to smuggle an undisclosed amount of hashish into the country.
Per the US Department of State:
Penalties for the import, manufacture, possession, and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, public floggings, and/or deportation. The penalty for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia is death. Saudi officials make no exceptions.
2. Indonesia.
In July, 2008 Indonesia resumed executions for violations of drug laws. It is known for having some of the strictest drug laws in the world.
From the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Travel:
Police are increasingly enforcing existing drug laws. Canadians are reminded that Indonesian laws regarding illegal drugs are very strict and include the death penalty for serious drug offences. Several foreigners are currently facing the death penalty in Bali for drug-related offences. The possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs can result in serious fines and/or prison sentences. Suspects can be detained indefinitely while police conduct investigations prior to prosecution. In August 2005, Indonesian authorities introduced random drug testing of tourists throughout the country, resulting in several arrests.
3. Malaysia.
Southeast Asian countries are known to be strict on drugs and Malaysia is no exception. The death penalty is allowed for drug traffickers, for as little as seven ounces of marijuana.
From the US Department of State:
Malaysia strictly enforces its drug laws. If you possess, use or traffic in illegal drugs in Malaysia, you will be sentenced to significantly longer prison sentences and much heavier fines than in the United States. Malaysian legislation provides for a mandatory death penalty for convicted drug traffickers. If you are arrested in possession of 15 grams (1/2 ounce) of heroin or 200 grams (seven ounces) of marijuana, you will be presumed by law to be trafficking in drugs.
4. The People’s Republic of China.
The death penalty for drugs is widely used in China and they have celebrated the UN International Anti-Drugs Day by executing prisoners.
From Stop the Drug War:
Amnesty International is calling on the Chinese government to halt these executions and to review all future use of the death penalty. “In the week leading up to 26 June, UN Anti-Drugs Day and government measures to tackle drug crime are publicized in the Chinese media. Despite this extra reporting of death sentences, drug-related crime, drug use, and amounts of drugs seized by customs are all at a high level or actually rising in China. This reality seriously undermines official claims that the death penalty is an effective deterrent against drug crime in China.”
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