Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Bahamas law
Cannabis laws in Freeport - Lucaya follow Bahamas’s national law. Local cities generally do not set separate marijuana rules, so penalties are determined at the jurisdiction level.
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical cannabis is permitted under a regulated licensing framework for approved uses. Possession or use without authorization can result in legal penalties.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Available with license
- Possession: Illegal without authorization
- Buying/Selling: Restricted to licensed channels
- Tourists: Subject to the same national laws
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
The tourist brochure called possession of an illegal drug a “serious criminal offence,” even though you rarely saw police. Some older and more religious residents took a hard line on marijuana. There were also warnings about undercover officers offering to sell weed, then making an arrest or asking for money. Offering a bribe could bring a separate charge.
Tourists used to hear that less than a quarter-ounce meant a fine of $1,500–2,000, with jail possible if they couldn’t pay. A weekend arrest could mean sitting at the station until court reopened on Monday. Those were the outcomes people talked about, with no guarantee about what would happen in any given case.
Where to Buy Marijuana
At Port Lucaya Marketplace, a quiet question at a pipe stall about finding “something to put in it” led to a $20 baggie. A few minutes later, the shopping was done: a quick look at the bag, a couple of souvenirs and out the door.
Locals took a different view of the marketplace. There were warnings about undercover officers and video surveillance all around Port Lucaya. The International Bazaar had emptied out after two hurricanes, leaving mostly shuttered shops and little visible security. Cab drivers sometimes knew someone, although the ride could cost extra and some drivers took offence at the question. In residential parts of Freeport, people were often friendly and knew the shops within a few blocks. Visitors still stood out.
Marijuana Prices
- Port Lucaya: $20 for roughly 2 g, by eye. That felt comparable to good bud in the US.
- Direct prices in Freeport: about $15 for a quarter-ounce or $50–60 for an ounce.
- Through a cab driver or tourist middleman: quotes could run two or three times higher, around $50 or more for a quarter-ounce.
Types of Marijuana
The strain was a mystery. The weed was browner than expected and stronger than it looked. A few hits did the job.
More Information
Discretion mattered when talking to people you didn’t know. A friendly conversation gave you a better sense of whether someone was comfortable with the subject.