Kuwait Times, 26 November 2025: Kuwait Decree-law No. 59/2025 on combating drugs and psychotropic substances, has been issued creating a single comprehensive legal framework that merges and replaces the country’s previous drug-control laws.

The new law has 84 Articles in 13 chapters, and will take effect two weeks after its is published in the Official Gazette..

Under Article 83 of Kuwait Decree-law No. 59/2025, Kuwait Law No. 74/983 on drug control and Kuwait Law No. 48/1987 on psychotropic substances, will be repealed and replaced.

This will consolidate legislation on drug and psychotropic substances into a single unified framework designed to enhance legal clarity, administrative efficiency and consistency across enforcement authorities.

Chapter One defines all key terms including licensing procedures, narcotic and psychotropic substances, chemical precursors, preparations, production, import, export, cultivation, transport, smuggling, promotion, possession and related medical and administrative terminology. It also includes definitions for addicts, users, treatment centres, rehabilitation facilities, records and prescriptions.

Chapter Two establishes the Supreme Council for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which will be responsible for forming a national strategy, improving inter-ministerial coordination, enhancing prevention and awareness, strengthening treatment and rehabilitation services and ensuring compliance with international drug-control conventions.

The health ministry will be required to establish dedicated rehabilitation and addiction treatment centres including separate facilities for those under 21. Private medical units will also be able to provide treatment services subject to ministerial licensing and oversight. The interior ministry will set up specialist correction and rehabilitation centres for inmates who are convicted under the law, providing them medical, social and reintegration programme which are separate from general prison populations.

Chapters three to seven will regulate all licensing related to the import, export, transport, possession, dispensing, production, manufacture and cultivation of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and preparations. Only licensed entities will be able trade, dispense or manufacture controlled substances, and prohibited plants may only be cultivated by authorized government bodies, research institutions, universities or licensed centers.

Chapter Nine outlines strict penalties for trafficking, production or cultivation intended for trafficking. Sentencing wll potentially include the death penalty or life imprisonment, in addition to fines ranging from KD 100,000 to KD 2 million, or an equivalent to the value of seized substances. Lesser offenses will carry life imprisonment and fines between KD 50,000 and KD 500,000. Organisng an international drug-trafficking operation will be punishable by death, while participation in these groups will carry sentences of life imprisonment and fines from KD 20,000 to KD 50,000.

Chapter Ten encourages voluntary treatment by granting immunity from prosecution to addicts who seek rehabilitation before charges are filed against them. Rehabilitation centres will have to maintain confidentiality of all patient information and surrender any substances handed over by patients to the ministry for proper disposal.

Chapter Eleven governs verdicts and their execution, allowing courts to suspend certain sentences but prohibiting appeals of detention orders issued for rehabilitation purposes. It also permits exemptions for offenders who voluntarily report crimes or assist investigations.

Public prosecution will be empowered to investigate and prosecute all offenses, and criminal courts will hold jurisdiction over cases involving narcotics and psychotropic substances. The law applies to offenses committed within Kuwait and to acts committed abroad that contribute to crimes occurring domestically. Kuwaiti nationals may also be prosecuted for drug offenses committed overseas, except when acquitted by foreign courts or after serving a foreign sentence.

Chapters Twelve and Thirteen specify arrest procedures, investigative powers and administrative oversight. Authorised judicial officers will be able to access government, private and licensed facilities to inspect compliance and seize prohibited substances. The law emphasises inter-ministerial cooperation, public-private partnership in treatment and rehabilitation, and ongoing evaluation of enforcement measures to ensure alignment with international standards.

The new law comes into force on 15 December 2025.

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