Barbados Weed Laws in a Nutshell

Article by

Bud Kushman

Published:

Jul 23, 2025

Updated:

Oct 6, 2025

Cannabis legislation on the island of Barbados began to shift in 2019 after the government made some amendments to the existing drug laws, legalizing cannabis for medical purposes and also allowing people of the Rastafarian faith to apply for permits so they can legally grow, possess, and use the plant for religious purposes.

Shortly after, in 2021, cannabis decriminalization measures were put in place, and now the possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis is no longer an offence punishable with arrest or imprisonment; instead, it will result in a fine.

Below you can find the summary of the cannabis laws in Barbados.

Is Weed Legal in Barbados?

No, cannabis is illegal in Barbados. However, it's legal for Rastafarians to acquire a permit to cultivate and possess cannabis for religious purposes.

For people outside of the Rastafarian faith, cannabis is illegal, but having up to 14 grams of it for personal use is decriminalized and will result in a fine. Anything above 14 grams will result in an arrest with the possibility of imprisonment.

What Does Decriminalized Mean?

Cannabis decriminalization means the plant remains illegal, but possession is no longer treated as a criminal offense. Instead of arrest or imprisonment, people found with amounts below the decriminalized threshold will receive a warning, fine, referral to a drug treatment program, or some other type of non-custodial penalty.

By removing criminal penalties, decriminalization helps reduce the social and economic impact of enforcing cannabis laws, such as policing, court proceedings, and jail time.