Last verified: March 2026
Death Penalty — Actively Enforced
| Legal Status | Completely illegal — no distinction soft/hard drugs |
| Trafficking (1kg+) | DEATH PENALTY by firing squad |
| Personal Use | Minimum 4 years imprisonment |
| Notable Case: Jarred Shaw | 132 gummies (869g) — faces life or death (May 2025) |
| Australian Tourist (June 2025) | Detained at Bali airport for prescribed cannabis |
| Execution Method | Firing squad |
| Medical Cannabis | NO recognition. No exceptions. |
| Foreigner Exemptions | NONE |
The Bali Illusion
Bali is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, known for beaches, temples, yoga retreats, and nightlife. This relaxed atmosphere leads many travelers to assume a corresponding relaxation in drug enforcement. This assumption is wrong and potentially fatal.
Indonesia's Narcotics Law (Law No. 35/2009) makes no distinction between cannabis and heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Cannabis is classified alongside the most dangerous substances, and penalties are among the harshest in the world.
The Penalty Structure
- 1 kilogram or more: Death penalty by firing squad or life imprisonment
- Less than 1 kilogram: 4-12 years imprisonment for personal possession
- Under 5 grams (with rehabilitation referral): Still a criminal offense; rehabilitation may be ordered instead of prison, but this is not guaranteed
- Any amount of supply/sale: 5-20 years imprisonment
The Jarred Shaw Case (2025)
In May 2025, American citizen Jarred Shaw was arrested in Bali after police discovered 132 cannabis-infused gummies with a total weight of 869 grams. Under Indonesian law, the total weight of the product — not just the THC content — determines the penalty threshold. At 869 grams, Shaw faces the realistic possibility of life imprisonment or death by firing squad.
This case illustrates a critical danger for travelers from legal US states: products that are perfectly legal at home can trigger death-penalty thresholds in Indonesia based on total product weight.
The Australian Tourist (June 2025)
In June 2025, an Australian tourist was detained at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport for carrying prescribed cannabis products. Despite having a valid medical prescription from Australia, the products were seized and the tourist was detained. Foreign medical prescriptions have absolutely no legal effect in Indonesia.
Why Bali Feels Deceptively Safe
Cannabis is available in Bali's tourist areas, offered by beach vendors and nightlife contacts. Some tourists use cannabis in Bali without incident, which creates a false sense of security. The reality is:
- Indonesian police conduct periodic operations targeting drug use in tourist areas
- Dealers sometimes cooperate with police, selling to tourists and then informing on them
- Once arrested, the Indonesian legal system provides limited protections for foreigners
- Legal proceedings can take months or years, during which the defendant remains in an Indonesian prison
The Corby Legacy
The case of Schapelle Corby, an Australian sentenced to 20 years in 2005 for 4.2 kg of cannabis found in her boogie board bag at Bali airport, remains the most famous Indonesia drug case. Corby always maintained the cannabis was planted. She served 9 years before parole and deportation in 2017. The case demonstrated that Indonesia does not make special allowances for foreign tourists.
Advice for Travelers
- Do not bring any cannabis products to Indonesia — including edibles, vape cartridges, or CBD products
- Pay attention to total product weight, not THC content — edibles can easily exceed trafficking thresholds
- Medical prescriptions from any country have zero legal effect
- Do not buy cannabis from beach vendors or nightlife contacts in Bali — the risk of police cooperation is real
- Check all luggage thoroughly before flying to Indonesia — forgotten items can have life-altering consequences
- If arrested, contact your embassy immediately and retain an Indonesian lawyer