Dominican Republic's Cannabis Gray Zone Exposes Tourism Industry Gap

Cannabis remains illegal in the Dominican Republic, yet tourists at beach resorts are finding an enforcement reality that doesn't match the law on the books. The disconnect highlights a growing tension in Caribbean tourism markets where local practice has evolved faster than legislation.

The Dominican Republic criminalized cannabis in 1988 under Law 50-88, with penalties including prison time for possession. But decades of selective enforcement have created what industry observers call a "tolerance zone"—particularly in tourist-heavy areas where foreign visitors generate billions in annual revenue.

"The Caribbean faces a unique challenge," said James Higdon, a cannabis policy analyst who has studied regional markets. "You have islands competing for tourism dollars while neighboring territories like Jamaica have moved toward decriminalization. The pressure to look the other way is real."

The Tourism Economics

The Dominican Republic welcomed 8.5 million tourists in 2023, generating $8.2 billion in revenue. Resort operators—many owned by international hospitality chains—find themselves caught between local law and guest expectations shaped by legalization trends in North America and Europe.

No major resort chain has publicly addressed their cannabis policies in the Dominican Republic. High Times' reporting suggests an unofficial understanding: what happens in private spaces stays private, so long as it doesn't create visible problems.

This gray zone approach mirrors what happened in Amsterdam decades ago, where official prohibition coexisted with practical tolerance. But it creates legal exposure for both tourists and local operators.

Regional Competition Pressure

Jamaica decriminalized possession of up to two ounces in 2015 and launched a legal medical market. Saint Kitts and Nevis decriminalized in 2020. The U.S. Virgin Islands allows medical use. These policy shifts put pressure on Dominican officials to either enforce existing law more strictly or join the regional trend.

Meanwhile, tourists from legal markets in the U.S. and Canada—where combined adult-use sales topped $35 billion in 2023—increasingly expect cannabis access as part of vacation experiences.

"Resort destinations are watching Colorado and California closely," said a tourism industry consultant who requested anonymity. "They see the tax revenue from cannabis tourism. They see the jobs. And they're asking why their islands can't capture that market legally."

What Comes Next

Dominican lawmakers introduced a medical cannabis bill in 2022 that stalled in committee. Industry advocates say the country could follow Jamaica's path: medical first, then gradual expansion. But political will remains uncertain.

For now, the status quo continues—tourists smoke, resort staff look away, and the legal framework pretends it isn't happening. It's a model that works until it doesn't, typically when a high-profile arrest or international incident forces the issue.

The question isn't whether the Dominican Republic will address cannabis policy. It's whether they'll do it proactively to capture economic benefits, or reactively after the informal system breaks down.

Either way, the smoke has already moved faster than the law.

This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.