# Is cannabis legal in South Korea?

> Medical use only. South Korea allows only specific approved cannabis-based medicines, such as Epidiolex, Sativex, and Marinol, supplied through the state Korea Orphan & Essential Drug Center on prescription. There is no dispensary retail. Rule jurisdiction: South Korea. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.

Source page: https://420.camp/fr/weed/south-korea  
Verified: 2026-08-30 (rule reviewed against its source) Scope: South Korea.  
Published by 420.camp — quote with attribution and a link (https://420.camp/license).

## Facts

- **Legal status:** Medical use only. South Korea allows only specific approved cannabis-based medicines, such as Epidiolex, Sativex, and Marinol, supplied through the state Korea Orphan & Essential Drug Center on prescription. There is no dispensary retail. Rule jurisdiction: South Korea. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **Can tourists buy:** Prohibited. Visitors have no legal cannabis purchase route in South Korea; the only channel is a state-supplied approved medicine on a physician's application. Rule jurisdiction: South Korea. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **How to buy:** A physician applies to the Korea Orphan & Essential Drug Center for an approved cannabinoid medicine.
- **Where purchase is legal:** Pharmacies
- **Medical access:** Medical use only. A physician applies to the Korea Orphan & Essential Drug Center for one of the specific approved cannabinoid medicines; supply is limited to those products. Rule jurisdiction: South Korea. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **Possession limit:** Prohibited. Recreational cannabis possession and use are illegal in South Korea and carry severe penalties, which can also apply to citizens who used cannabis abroad. Rule jurisdiction: South Korea. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **Important restrictions:** There is no adult-use or recreational retail channel. Only specific approved cannabinoid medicines are available, through a single state channel. Recreational cannabis is a serious crime, including for citizens who use it abroad. Penalties are severe. Korean law can reach citizens who used cannabis in countries where it is legal. Access is limited to a short list of approved medicines via a state body. Visitors have no legal purchase channel. Recreational cannabis carries severe penalties. Never carry cannabis across a national border. THC: Only specific approved cannabinoid drugs; recreational use is a serious crime.

## Sources
- [law.go.kr](https://law.go.kr/LSW//lsLawLinkInfo.do?lsJoLnkSeq=1000793215&lsId=002025&chrClsCd=010202&print=print)
- [korea.kr](https://www.korea.kr/multi/visualNewsView.do?newsId=148910993)

Consumption places and rules: https://420.camp/consume/south-korea