UAE Government issues Federal Decree-Law regulating industrial, medical uses of industrial hemp

OG article by KN/DUBAI/its illegal to talk about the government there so it doesn't say

December 19, 2025

The UAE government issued a Federal Decree-Law amending provisions of the Federal Decree-Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to strengthen community protection, uphold justice, safeguard rights, and enhance the national framework for combating narcotics in line with high regulatory, health, and security standards. The amendments align with developments in the medical products sector and narcotics control. Key changes include replacing references to the Ministry of Health and Prevention with the Emirates Drug Establishment and its Chairperson as the competent authority for regulating medical products. References to the Ministry of Interior are replaced with the National Anti-Narcotics Authority, which leads national efforts against narcotics-related crimes. The law permits federal health authorities and private facilities to establish specialized units for treating and rehabilitating individuals addicted to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, with detailed regulations to be issued by the UAE Cabinet. Local authorities may also set up similar units, creating a comprehensive national system. Stricter penalties are introduced for dispensing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a valid prescription or beyond approved limits: violator pharmacies face imprisonment for not less than five years and a fine of not less than AED50,000, treated as facilitating narcotic use. Physicians issuing prescriptions without a license, without medical justification, or in violation of limits face the same penalties, deemed facilitation offenses. Provisions for possessing and handling substances for scientific and medical purposes are updated, allowing licenses for qualified entities like health facilities, laboratories, research centers, and manufacturing facilities under competent authority supervision. Certain plant parts remain exempt from criminalization per approved controls. Foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offenses must be deported after serving sentences, except if they are spouses or first-degree relatives of UAE citizens at the time of the offense, or if deportation would cause serious family harm or deprive necessary care, provided the family can support treatment financially. The decree reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to a comprehensive national framework integrating strict deterrence, effective treatment, and modern health and security practices.