Is Hemp Legal in Afghanistan?

Industrial hemp is not legally distinguished from cannabis in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has historically grown Cannabis sativa subspecies indica for hashish production, particularly in northern provinces, but no licensed industrial hemp program has been authorized. The 2010 Counter Narcotics Law treats Cannabis sativa material as a controlled substance, and the Supreme Leader's 2022 decree banning narcotic crops has been applied broadly by Taliban authorities to suppress cultivation regardless of intended end use.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock has prioritized alternative crops including saffron, wheat, and cotton. Reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicate that cannabis cultivation has fallen since the Taliban takeover, though enforcement varies regionally. Cultivation without authorization remains a serious offence, and there is no commercial hemp fiber, grain, or CBD processing chain. Hemp consumer-good imports such as textiles are not the subject of published rulings; treating them as cannabis derivatives is consistent with current policy.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.