Kuwait has issued Emiri Decree Regulation No. 59 of 2025, a complete new laws that merges and updates all legal guidelines associated to combating medicine and psychotropic substances.
The unified legislation, consisting of 84 articles throughout 13 chapters, will come into pressure two weeks after its publication within the Official Gazette.
The decree consolidates Regulation No. 74 of 1983 on combating medicine and Decree-Regulation No. 48 of 1987 on psychotropic substances into one trendy authorized framework.
The merger goals to unify ideas, definitions, penalties, and procedures, permitting authorities to handle drug-related crimes extra successfully and streamline enforcement mechanisms.
Below Article 82, the Minister of Well being is remitted to challenge the chief laws required to implement the brand new legislation. Article 83 repeals all earlier laws that conflicts with the up to date provisions, guaranteeing a single, coherent authorized reference for all drug-related points.
The legislation offers complete definitions for narcotic medicine, psychotropic substances, chemical precursors, and all types of dealing with, together with manufacturing, cultivation, smuggling, possession, and promotion. It additionally defines phrases associated to therapy, rehabilitation facilities, medical prescriptions, and official data.
The laws introduces extreme penalties, together with demise or life imprisonment and fines starting from KD 100,000 to KD 2 million for crimes akin to importing, smuggling, producing, or cultivating medicine with intent to commerce.
Lesser however nonetheless stringent penalties apply to trafficking, possession for commerce, and promotion, with fines as much as KD 500,000. Establishing or managing a legal group concerned in drug crimes is punishable by demise.
The decree additionally outlines judicial procedures, permitting quick enforcement of imprisonment rulings. It offers courts the authority to grant exemptions or scale back sentences for offenders who voluntarily report crimes earlier than authorities uncover them.
The Public Prosecution retains full jurisdiction over investigation and prosecution, whereas Kuwaiti jurisdiction extends to offenses dedicated overseas beneath particular situations.
Chapters Twelve and 13 element inspection powers, granting judicial officers the correct to enter licensed establishments to make sure compliance.
The legislation additionally establishes the Supreme Council for Combating Medication and Psychotropic Substances, tasked with setting a nationwide technique for prevention, therapy, enforcement, and coordination amongst state our bodies.
A significant part of the legislation focuses on rehabilitation and therapy. The Ministry of Well being will set up impartial dependancy therapy and rehabilitation facilities, together with separate services for people beneath 21. The non-public sector can also function licensed medical models beneath ministry supervision.
The Ministry of Inside will arrange specialised reform facilities for imprisoned drug customers, separate from different prisons, and providing medical, social, and vocational applications.
The legislation emphasizes confidential therapy, stipulating that addicts who voluntarily search assist earlier than any grievance is filed won’t face legal expenses. Remedy facilities should hold all affected person info strictly confidential and hand over any surrendered substances to authorities.
The laws units strict controls on manufacturing, import, commerce, and possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances. No entity could deal with these substances with out a license from the Minister of Well being.
Pharmaceutical factories could manufacture medicine solely with approval, and all shelling out, storage, and destruction procedures will likely be ruled by ministerial choices.
Lastly, the legislation regulates the cultivation of prohibited vegetation, permitting licenses just for authorities entities, analysis facilities, universities, and specialised establishments. These provisions goal to stop abuse whereas supporting scientific and medical analysis beneath strict state supervision.