No. Absinthe containing thujone (above 10 ppm) is banned under Saudi Arabia’s 2022 Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, enforced by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC). The kingdom’s zero-tolerance policy on psychoactive substances extends to absinthe’s traditional wormwood-derived thujone, classifying it as a controlled narcotic. Importation, sale, or possession risks severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Saudi Arabia
- Thujone Prohibition: Absinthe with thujone concentrations exceeding 10 ppm is explicitly prohibited under GDNC’s 2023 Narcotic Precursors and Psychotropic Substances List, aligning with the UN’s 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
- Licensing Exclusions: No licenses are issued for absinthe production, import, or distribution, as the GDNC classifies it under Schedule I narcotics, barring all commercial activity.
- Customs Enforcement: The Saudi Customs Authority and Royal Saudi Border Guard conduct rigorous inspections at ports, seizing absinthe shipments under Article 27 of the 2022 anti-narcotics law, with mandatory destruction of confiscated goods.