Article 17 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 17 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article lets the Minister of Interior license government bodies, institutes and research centers to import and cultivate seeds of the plants in Table (4) for medical and research purposes, according to the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لوزير الداخلية الترخيص للمصالح والإدارات الحكومية والمعاهد ومراكز البحث العلمي باستيراد وزراعة بذور النباتات المدرجة في الجدول رقم (4) المرافق لهذا النظام للأغراض الطبية والبحث العلمي بالضوابط والشروط المقررة لذلك وفق ما تحدده اللائحة .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 17 explained in plain English
The plants listed in Table (4) attached to the Law are plants from which narcotic substances are extracted, so the Law surrounds dealing with them with strict restrictions. This article opens a narrow door for using their seeds in medicine and science.
Under it, the Minister of Interior may license the import and cultivation of seeds of the plants listed in Table (4), subject to the following restrictions:
- The beneficiary bodies are specified: government departments and agencies, institutes, and scientific research centers.
- The purpose is specified: medical purposes and scientific research only.
- Controls come from the Regulations: the license is subject to the controls and conditions prescribed for it as set by the Implementing Regulations.
Note that the licensing authority here is the Minister of Interior, unlike Article Sixteen, which places the release license for narcotic substances from customs with the Ministry of Health. Individuals and commercial companies are also not among the bodies mentioned in the text.
The text does not include the details of the controls and conditions, such as the duration of the license or how cultivation is supervised, but refers them to the Implementing Regulations. Anyone who needs advice on this matter would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
A scientific research center at a Saudi university wants to study the medical properties of a plant listed in Table (4). It applies to the Minister of Interior for a license to import its seeds and cultivate them for research, and complies with the controls set by the Regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 17 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
May narcotic plants be cultivated for scientific research?
The Minister of Interior may license government bodies, institutes and scientific research centers to import and cultivate seeds of the Table (4) plants for medical and research purposes.
Who grants the license to cultivate the seeds?
The Minister of Interior, according to the controls and conditions set by the Regulations.
May individuals apply for this license?
The text does not mention individuals; it specifies government departments and agencies, institutes and scientific research centers.
More articles on Licensing Narcotics for Medical Purposes
- Article 2
The article excludes emergency and first-aid medicines containing narcotic substances carried on ships and aircraft from importation, exportation and smuggling, on specific conditions.
لا يعد جلبا أو تصديرا أو تهريبا الكميات المحددة من الأدوية الطبية التي تحتوي على مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية تحملها وسائط النقل، كالسفن والطائرات، لمواجهة الحالا
- Article 12
The article requires a one-year renewable license from the Ministry of Health to import or export narcotic or psychotropic substances for legitimate purposes.
لا يجوز استيراد المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية أو تصديرها لأغراض مشروعة إلا بموجب رخصة استيراد أو تصدير صادرة من وزارة الصحة. وتمنح الرخصة لمدة سنة قابلة لل
- Article 13
The article limits granting a license to import or export narcotic or psychotropic substances to five categories of pharmaceutical, treatment and research establishments.
يقصر منح رخصة استيراد المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية أو تصديرها على المنشآت الآتية: 1 - شركات الأدوية ووكلائها. 2 - مستودعات بيع الأدوية بالجملة. 3 - المؤسس
- Article 14
The article requires narcotic or psychotropic substances to be imported or exported in tightly sealed parcels with a detailed statement, with no other substance in the parcel.
لا يجوز استيراد مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية أو تصديرها إلا داخل طرود محكمة الإغلاق، مع بيان يحدد اسم المادة وكميتها وتركيزها وشكلها الصيدلاني حتى لو كانت عينة. و
- Article 15
The article gives the Ministry of Health the power to review the quantity requested for import or export of narcotic substances and to approve, amend or reject it according to the Regulations.
لوزارة الصحة مراجعة الكمية المطلوب استيرادها أو تصديرها للموافقة عليها أو تعديلها أو رفضها وفق الضوابط التي تحددها اللائحة .
- Article 16
The article bars releasing narcotic or psychotropic substances arriving at customs except under a release license from the Ministry of Health, which is returned to it after the release.
لا يجوز تسليم المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية التي تصل إلى الجمارك إلا بموجب رخصة فسح صادرة من وزارة الصحة، على أن تعاد هذه الرخصة إليها بعد انتهاء الفسح.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.