Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. St. Kitts law
Cannabis laws in Bassetere follow St. Kitts’s national law. Local cities generally do not set separate marijuana rules, so penalties are determined at the jurisdiction level.
Recreational cannabis is illegal, though possession of small amounts is decriminalized. Medical cannabis is permitted for qualifying patients. Legal risks exist for distribution or larger quantities.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Decriminalized
- Medical: Available
- Possession: Small amounts decriminalized; larger amounts carry risk
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Subject to the same laws as residents
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products.
Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
St. Kitts and Nevis decriminalized possession of up to 15 grams for personal use in 2019 through amendments to the Drugs Act, reducing it to an administrative offense with fines rather than criminal charges. Medical cannabis access was introduced in parallel legislation, permitting regulated use for qualifying patients, while distribution and larger quantities remain prohibited.
Law Enforcement
I barely saw any police on Saint Kitts. The place was so laid-back that everything took ages, from room service to the airport. I figured the police probably moved at the same speed, though I never had occasion to find out.
Where to Buy Marijuana
We were staying with a couple of locals who felt comfortable at a beach shack on the southeast side of the island. The chap behind the counter sold beer, papers and trinkets. Around six in the evening I walked by and saw him showing someone a little wooden bowl full of green ganja.
I left it that evening and went back the next day. He wrapped the weed in a paper towel and handed me individual rolling papers, all crumpled up. I guessed that was just how things were done there.
The weed I got was brown with a few seeds, and I’d been expecting green. It turned out to be plenty strong. The colour and the way it came wrapped threw me more than the weed itself.
Marijuana Prices
I paid about US$30 for roughly 2.5 grams and was happy with the quality.