Cannabis in Samoa explained

Medicinal:	Illegal
Recreational:	Illegal

Cannabis is illegal in Samoa.

Law

The possession, sale, disposition, cultivation, production, and prescribing of cannabis is regulated by the Narcotics Act 1967. Cannabis is a Class B narcotic under the Act.^[1] The Act has only been amended twice since its creation in 1967, 2006 and 2009 respectively.^[2]

Cultivation

It is illegal to cultivate cannabis or have a cannabis seed in your possession under Section 6 of the Act.^[1] If found guilty, the maximum penalty is imprisonment of 14 years.

Possession

It is illegal to possess or attempt to possess cannabis under Section 7 of the Act.^[1] If found guilty, the maximum penalty is imprisonment of 14 years.^[1]

Reform

In 2015 the Samoa Law Reform Commission was asked to review the Narcotics Act. It issued its final report in December 2017 recommending a regulated regime for medicinal cannabis.^{[3] [4]} In January 2018 lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu called on the government to legalise cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.^[5] The call was rejected by Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi,^[6] while Minister of Health Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama responded that cannabis needed to remain illegal for Biblical reasons.^[7] In April 2019 a proposal by Australian medicinal cannabis company Leaf Relief for cannabis to be cultivated for medicinal use was also rejected.^{[8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Narcotics Act 1967. paclii.org. Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute . May 8, 2019.
2. Web site: Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu . Joyetter . Narcotics Act outdated, Law Commission says . samoaobserver.com . Samoa Observer . February 19, 2018. May 8, 2019.
3. Web site: Review of the Narcotics Act 1967 (Drugs Reform) . Samoa Law Reform Commission . December 2017 . 27 November 2022.
4. Web site: Commission completes review of Narcotics Act . Samoa Observer . Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu . 13 January 2018 . 27 November 2022.
5. Web site: Lawyer calls on Govt. to legalise marijuana . Samoa Observer . Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu . 3 January 2018 . 27 November 2022.
6. Web site: P.M. rejects call to legalise marijuana . Samoa Observer . 4 January 2018 . 27 November 2022.
7. Web site: Minister cites Biblical reasons for drug ban . Samoa Observer . Elizabeth Ah-Hi . 25 January 2018 . 27 November 2022.
8. Web site: P.M. slams door on cannabis cultivation proposal . Samoa Observer . Joyetter Feagaimaali'i . 25 April 2019 . 27 November 2022.
9. Web site: Samoa says no to proposal for medicinal marijuana . Talanei . 25 April 2019 . 27 November 2022.