As with any country, there are three categories when it comes to “drugs” in Cyprus: the illegal, the regulated and the non-regulated or over the counter ones. As far as over the counter ones, you will probably find the usual ones you would commonly need in the pharmacies or at least counterparts for it.
In terms of bringing in medicine into Cyprus, here’s a good rule of thumb: if you need a prescription for it in the country where you are bringing it from, then you will need one to bring or buy it in Cyprus. Of course that does not apply if you are coming from a place with a rather liberated drug policy. Cyprus is not any tighter or laxer than most countries when it comes to drug policies. Therefore, as long as you only bring enough for your own personal use, you should be just fine. Do note, however, that when it comes to buying prescriptions medications in Cyprus, you would need to see a local doctor to get a prescription - foreign prescriptions will not be honored by the pharmacies, you will not be able to buy. So, if you have a condition that requires constant or maintenance medication and if you plan on staying for an extended time, it will be wise to bring a copy of records that will help advise the local doctor on your condition. You can simply scan them and save them in the cloud and downloaded it when you need them.
Narcotics & Psychotropics
When it comes to regulated medications, narcotics and psychotropics like pain killers and relaxers, a prescription will not be enough. You will need a declaration from your country that says you are authorized to carry those medications to be able to bring them into Cyprus or buy them. If you come from a country that is not part of the Schengen Agreement, then you will have to produce the alternative: a letter from a relevant and authorized officer in your country stating the reasons you need those medication and the particulars of how you are supposed to take them, and that he is authorized to certify the same. Should you need either, be sure to have it with you whenever you have the medications specified in there. Failure to have or produce these documents may possibly land you in the middle of a drug offense prosecution.
Cannabis in Cyprus
Aside from medical narcotics and psychotropics, use of cannabis has also been approved as legal for some medical conditions. The law has even made it legal to cultivate and use cannabis for research in certain instances. Note however, all allowed uses of cannabis are for certified medical conditions or use.
Drug Offenses in Cyprus
There are two general types of offenses in Cyprus: illegal use of drugs and dealing illegal drugs. Having any illegal or regulated drugs on your person (without a valid authority to possess the same) may lead to either offenses. It is worth noting that possession beyond certain very small amounts gives rise to a presumption that the person in possession of the drug is dealing or selling the same, which merits a harsher punishment if found guilty.
The worst punishment for drug offenses is life, however this does not appear to have ever been meted out yet. In addition, the courts have been leaning toward an alternative punishment for first time offenders especially. Some are given the option to seek treatment and psychological help in lieu of jail time.
With all this said, Cyprus has not seen too many drug related convictions and offenses over the past years. It’s drug related crime rates have remained relatively low compared to most countries. Strangely enough, even with the lower drug related crime rates, there has been a notably high traces of methamphetamine in Cypriot waste water.
Treatment of suspected offenders
Cyprus deals with drug related offenses very seriously. Repeat offenders and drug dealers are prosecuted and are punished harshly if found guilty. The law enforcement cracks down on possible sources and endeavors to take them out as swiftly as possible. There are some unverifiable posts in certain forums that say it is possible to obtain marijuana or other illegal substances within Cyprus, however, all of them nonetheless warn that it is very dangerous and the chances of getting caught is extremely high. Clearly, Cyprus is not the place to entertain recreational illegal drug use.