Are Edibles Legal In The Dominican Republic?

Edibles are food products that are infused with cannabis, Therefore, edibles are not legal in the Dominican Republic. The anti-drug law of the Dominican Republic establishes that any product derived or produced with cannabis is illegal.

These edible products are very common in the United States, especially in states where cannabis has been legalized and also in states that allow the use of medical cannabis.

This is not the case in the Dominican Republic, where cannabis is illegal for all uses, including medical use.

There are many people who use cannabis in the Dominican Republic for medicinal use, in some way, it is possible to get it, but the fact that it is possible to get it and its use is justified does not make it legal in the country.

Let’s say that the security mechanisms of the Dominican Republic to enforce the law are not the best in the world, the law can be circumvented with some ease.

At the airport, you won’t find any dogs searching your luggage for cannabis, but the truth is that if you decide to travel to the Dominican Republic with cannabis-infused edibles, you are taking a risk.

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The law prohibiting edibles and medical cannabis in the Dominican Republic

Article 9 of Law 50-88 establishes that, among all drugs, the following are considered the most dangerous: opium in all its forms and derivatives, its derivatives or synthetic substances; “all seeds and plants of the Cannabinaceae family, and products derived from them that contain narcotic or stimulating properties”.

This law establishes that cannabis is prohibited in all its forms and derivatives.

You cannot bring edibles into Punta Cana, cannabis-infused edibles are prohibited by law from use in the Dominican Republic and Punta Cana.

Is Delta 8 legal in the Dominican Republic?

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC, is a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant.

According to law 50-88 of the Dominican Republic, delta 8 is prohibited because it is a derivative of cannabis.

This law simply covers cannabis and ALL its derivatives, no matter what delta it is, it is prohibited by law.

What happens if you are caught with edibles at the Dominican Republic airport?

You could find yourself in serious trouble if you are caught with cannabis-derived edibles at the entrance to the Dominican Republic, you are doing something illegal and in the Dominican Republic, they are not very flexible with this issue of cannabis and its derivatives.

There have already been cases of arrests of people coming from the United States.

In June 2019, the DNCD reported the occupation at the Cibao International Airport of 60 capsules in cylindrical form, containing an oily liquid presumed to be derived from cannabis.

A 28-year-old US national, who arrived in the country on a commercial flight from New York City, was arrested for the discovery.

In this specific case, it was oil, but edibles fall into the same category of cannabis derivatives.

At the airport, the most retained items derived from cannabis are oil and also resin, but the edibles are illegal.

On some occasions that I have traveled abroad, they have checked my luggage upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, sometimes I bring candy from abroad, they check it and have asked me “what is this”, that is, at the airport, they are aware of the issue.

In my case, they do it because of the country I came from, but in truth, in the airport of the Dominican Republic, there are certain security mechanisms, like all airports in the world.

Security mechanisms at the airport are deficient

You will find cases of people who will tell you that they have entered the Dominican Republic with edibles or cannabis products without any problems.

Yes, it is true, the security mechanisms are not the best in the world, but this does not mean that it is something legal, from my part it would be irresponsible to tell you that you can enter the Dominican Republic with edibles knowing that this could cause you some problem.

Trying to pass through the Dominican Republic airport with cannabis-derived or infused products is like playing Russian roulette.

It is a cultural issue

From a young age we are taught in our homes that the use of this substance is a criminal act and for criminals, that it is totally forbidden no matter what.

I once tried to sell an idea of creating a biodegradable building material from the stalk of a plant called hemp, it was really a great idea! the problem is that hemp is very similar to cannabis.

It is not something that has ever been used in the country and this could lower construction costs by up to 40%. (maybe not so much, I don’t remember, but costs go down a lot).

Every time I talked about this idea to investors they made a face of panic and terror, I totally gave up on it.

In the Dominican Republic, everything that carries the word cannabis, resembles, smells, contains, etc, is forbidden.