Law on combating drugs, psychotropic substances comes into effect Dec 14
The law introduces unified legal provisions for offenses, penalties, and procedures, a step intended to streamline enforcement and improve the effectiveness of the criminal justice response to drug-related crimes.
The official gazette “Kuwait Alyawm” has published today (Sunday, Nov 30) Decree Law No. 159 of 2025 on combating drugs and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trade.
The decree specifies that it will enter into force two weeks after publication, taking effect on December 14.
The new legislation comprises 84 articles across 13 chapters. Under Article 82, the competent minister is tasked with issuing the executive decisions required to implement the law.
Article 83 annuls Law No. 74 of 1983 on combating drugs and Decree-Law No. 48 of 1987 on psychotropic substances, in addition to repealing any provision that conflicts with the new decree.
A key feature of the new law is the merger of previous legislation on narcotics and psychotropic substances into a single unified framework.
This consolidation aims to strengthen societal protection from the harms of drugs by standardizing terminology and definitions used in the field.
The law also introduces unified legal provisions for offenses, penalties, and procedures, a step intended to streamline enforcement and improve the effectiveness of the criminal justice response to drug-related crimes.
