Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

Article (1)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

For the purposes of implementing the provisions of this Decree by Law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires: Narcotics: Any natural or synthetic substance listed in Schedules (1), (2), (3), and (4) annexed to this Decree by Law. Psychotropic Substances: Any natural or synthetic substance listed in Schedules (5), (6), (7), and (8) annexed to this Decree by Law. Import: The introduction of narcotics or psychotropic substances into the territory of the State in violation of the provisions regulating their importation set forth in this Decree by Law. Export: The removal of narcotics or psychotropic substances from the territory of the State in violation of the provisions regulating their exportation set forth in this Decree by Law. Bring In: The act of introducing or bringing narcotics or psychotropic substances, personally or through a third party, into the territory of the State by any means whatsoever, any person not licensed to import under the provisions of the law shall be deemed to be a bringer-in. Transport: The movement of narcotics or psychotropic substances within the territory of the State from one place to another, or in transit, in violation of the provisions regulating their transport set forth in this Decree by Law. Promotion: The dissemination or distribution of narcotics or psychotropic substances, or any substances or plants capable of causing intoxication or harming the mind, to multiple persons without distinction. Production: The separation of narcotics or psychotropic substances from their botanical origin. Manufacture: All non-productive processes by which narcotics or psychotropic substances are obtained, including purification, extraction, isolation, and the conversion of one narcotic drug into another, or one psychotropic substance into another, as well as the manufacture of products other than those compounded by pharmacies pursuant to a medical prescription. Commitment: The placement of a user in a specialized treatment unit for the rehabilitation of addicts to narcotics and psychotropic substances. Subjecting to Monitoring: The obligation imposed on a user of narcotics or psychotropic substances to comply with periodic examination rules and procedures. Mandatory Enrollment in Rehabilitation Programs: The referral of a convicted person, or a person against whom a final penal order has been issued, in relation to any crime involving the use or personal consumption of narcotics or psychotropic substances, to a rehabilitation program, the time and place of which shall be determined by the unit. Authority: The National Drug Enforcement Authority. Establishment: The Emirates Drug Establishment. Chairman of the Board: The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Establishment. Competent Administrative Authority: The authority designated by a decision issued by the Chairman of the Board or by whomever they authorize. Unit: The specialized unit for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts to narcotics and psychotropic substances. Supervisory Committee: The committee supervising the unit.

Article (2)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

The provisions of this Decree by Law shall not apply to the parts and varieties of plants specified in Division Three of Schedule (4) annexed hereto.

Article (3)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

Repealed by Federal Decree by Law No. (2) of 2025.

Article (4)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

The amendment to the tables attached to the said Decree by Law shall be in accordance with the following: 1. Table Nos. (1, 2, 4, 5) may not be amended except by addition only, with such additions being permissible upon the issuance of a resolution by the Chairman of the Board subsequent to the approval of a medical committee established for this purpose. It is a prerequisite that the said committee comprise a representative from each local health authority, appointed by the respective authority, and a representative from the National Drug Enforcement Authority designated by the President of the Authority. 2. Table Nos. (3, 6, 7, 8, 9) may be amended by deletion, addition, or change in proportions or quantities, being permissible upon the issuance of a resolution by the Chairman of the Board subsequent to the approval of a medical committee established for this purpose. It is a prerequisite that the said committee comprise a representative from each local health authority, appointed by the respective authority, and a representative from the National Drug Enforcement Authority designated by the President of the Authority. 3. Table No. (10) shall be amended by changing the percentages or quantities upon the issuance of a resolution by Council of Ministers based on the proposal of the President of the Authority stipulated in Article (3) herein. The penalties contained therein may not be amended except by virtue of a Law or a Decree by Law.

Article (5)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

Federal health authorities and private health establishments may establish units dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts to narcotics and psychotropic substances. The Cabinet shall, upon the proposal of the Chairman of the Board, issue the regulation governing the operation of such units. Local authorities may establish and regulate similar units in accordance with the legislation in force.

Article (6)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

All data and information related to the affairs of addicts and convicted persons who are placed in the Unit shall be considered secrets, and these secrets shall not be disclosed or broadcasted, in cases other than those stipulated by Law. Violation of this Article shall be punishable by the penalties prescribed for this crime in the Federal Penal Code.

Article (7)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

Specialized centers shall be established to implement the imprisonment penalty in crimes of addiction and personal using of narcotics and psychotropic substances, and those convicted therein shall be subject to treatment, rehabilitation, sports and vocational training programmes in addition to family, occupational and social integration programmes. The Council of Ministers shall issue the Regulations for the work of these centers based on a proposal from the President of the Authority in coordination with the relevant authorities, and they shall be enforced as of the date specified by the Regulation. Ministries and authorities shall provide the services and programmes stipulated in the First Paragraph, each according to its competence.

Article (8)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

The Minister of Justice, in agreement with the Competent Minister, may grant the status of Judicial Police officers to some employees of ministries, agencies and departments related to the implementation of the provisions hereby, each within the limits of its competence. The heads of the local judicial departments, each within the limits of his competence, may grant the capacity of judicial control officers to the employees of the concerned local authorities in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate.

Article (9)

Section One: Definitions and General Provisions

The Establishment shall inspect the authorities licensed under the provisions of this Law by Decree.

Article (10)

Section Two: Prohibition of Dealing in Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Producing Them

1. Any of the narcotics or psychotropic substances listed in Schedules Nos. (1, 2, 4/ Section (1), 5) attached thereto shall not be imported, exported, transferred, produced, manufactured, brought, possessed or acquired and all other aspects of the activity and other related acts. 2. Monitoring medical uses and scientific research may be carried out on the substances shown in Schedules Nos. (1, 2, 4, 5) attached thereto, with the knowledge of the specialized scientific authorities to be determined by a Resolution of the Chairman of the Board in coordination with the National Drug Enforcement Authority, and in accordance with the conditions and procedures issued by a Resolution of the Council of Ministers.

Article (11)

Section Two: Prohibition of Dealing in Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Producing Them

Any of the narcotics or psychotropic substances listed in Schedules Nos. (3,6,7,8) attached thereto shall not be imported, exported, transferred, produced, manufactured, brought, possessed or acquired and all other aspects of the activity and actions related thereto except in the authorized cases and under the conditions stipulated therein.

Article (12)

Section Two: Prohibition of Dealing in Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Producing Them

Addiction of narcotics or psychotropic substances in any form, or to use them personally, except for treatment, and according to a medical prescription from the Treating Physician issued in accordance with the provisions of Article (40) of this Law by Decree shall be prohibited. This prohibition shall apply to any substance or plant other than narcotics or psychotropic substances stipulated in the Schedules attached thereto, which is likely to cause anesthesia or any other effect harmful to the mind when the addiction is with the intent of causing anesthesia or harming the mind.

Article (13)

Section Two: Prohibition of Dealing in Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Producing Them

In all cases in which possession or acquisition of narcotics or psychotropic substances shall be licensed, the percentages of weight differences may not exceed the percentages stipulated in the prescribed pharmacopoeia constitutions.

Article (14)

Section Two: Prohibition of Dealing in Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Producing Them

In cases other than those authorized in accordance with the provisions of this Law by Decree, plants mentioned in Schedules No. 4, Section (2), or any other plant that produces narcotics or psychotropic substances shall not be planted, brought, imported, exported, owned, possessed and acquired, in all stages of their growth, as well as their seeds, and all other aspects of activity and actions related thereto

Article (15)

Section Two: Prohibition of Dealing in Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Producing Them

The land owner shall inform the public authority of the plants that shall be planted on that land in Schedule No. 4, Section (2), as soon as he becomes aware of this.

Article (16)

Section Two: Prohibition of Dealing in Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Producing Them

The Minister of Climate Change and Environment shall issue the necessary licenses to government agencies and recognized scientific institutes for the cultivation of any plant whose cultivation shall be prohibited for scientific purposes and research, and according to the conditions he sets in this regard and in coordination with the President of the Authority, and for this purpose he may authorize them to import these plants. In this case, the provisions of Part (1) of Chapter (3) of this Law by Decree shall apply.

Article (17)

Section Three: Licenses

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article (10) of this Law by Decree, narcotics and psychotropic substances may not be imported, exported or transported without a written permission from the Competent Administrative Authority.

Article (18)

Section Three: Licenses

The authorization referred to in Article (17) of this Decree by Law may only be granted to the following entities: 1. Government authorities and recognized institutes. 2. Licensed health establishments. 3. Licensed chemical analysis laboratories or medical, scientific, or industrial research laboratories. 4. Warehouses and storage facilities of medical products, public pharmacies, compounding pharmacies, medical products manufacturing facilities and contract manufacturing organizations, contract research and development organizations, and licensed non-clinical and clinical research entities, provided that they have a licensed responsible pharmacist authorized to practice the profession. 5. Offices of brokers and agents of medical product factories and companies licensed to engage in such activity, provided that they have a licensed responsible pharmacist authorized to practice the profession. The authorization shall be issued in the name of the director of the entity or the person responsible for it in their official capacity, based on a signed application submitted using the form prepared by the Competent Administrative Authority for this purpose. The said Authority may refuse to grant authorization or reduce the requested quantity.

Article (19)

Section Three: Licenses

The permission stipulated in the previous Article may not be issued in the name of the Authority Manager or the person responsible for it in his capacity, unless he has been rehabilitated if he is one of the following categories: 1. A convicted person of a custodial penalty in a crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty; 2. A convicted person of one of the crimes stipulated therein; 3. A convicted person of the crimes of money looting, money laundering, sexual crimes, forgery, use of forged documents, impersonation of others or false testimony, as well as the person convicted of attempting to commit one of these crimes; and 4. Whoever was previously dismissed for reasons of dishonor or dishonesty, unless three years have passed from the dismissal date. As an exception to the provision of the previous paragraph, permission may be granted to any of the convicted persons of any of the crimes stipulated in Clauses (1 and 2) of Article (60) of this Law by Decree, even if he has not been rehabilitated. The permission shall be considered repealed if a final judgment is issued in one of the crimes or disciplinary violations referred to in the First Paragraph of this Article.

Article (20)

Section Three: Licenses

Narcotics or psychotropic substances that arrive at customs shall not be delivered without a withdrawal permit signed by the Manager in charge of the Authority licensed to import on the form prepared by the Competent Administrative Authority for that. The Competent Administration of Customs, in case of import or export, shall keep the withdrawal permit or the export permit and send a copy of it after the substances are delivered to the Competent Administrative Authority.

Article (21)

Section Three: Licenses

No narcotics or psychotropic substances may be imported, exported, or transported in parcels containing other substances, and they shall be sent even if they are in a sample form within insured parcels. In addition to the name and address of the Consignee, the cover shall show the name and quantity of the substance and the name and address of the sender in full.

Article (22)

Section Three: Licenses

The Competent Administrative Authority shall create a special electronic record in which the permits issued for the import or export of narcotics or psychotropic substances shall be entered. The record shall include in particular the following data: 1. The Licensee name, capacity, date of birth, nationality and place of residence; 2. Permission date and number; 3. Types of substances and their quantities in letters and numbers; 4. The place where the substances shall be placed; and 5. The registration number in the commercial register for the authorities to be registered in this register.

Article (23)

Section Three: Licenses

An import or export permit shall be considered repealed if it has not been used within sixty days as of the date of its issuance.

Article (24)

Section Three: Licenses

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article (10) of this Law by Decree, trafficking in narcotics or psychotropic substances shall not be permitted without obtaining a licence to pratice it from the Competent Administrative Authority. In this regard, the provisions of Articles (18), (19), (20), (21), (22) of this Law by Decree shall apply.