Is Weed Legal in Afghanistan?

Cannabis is illegal in Afghanistan. The Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which retook power in August 2021, has emphasized strict prohibition of intoxicants under its interpretation of Sharia. The Counter Narcotics Law of 2010, enacted under the previous Islamic Republic, remains the most recent codified narcotics statute and listed cannabis (charas, hashish) as a controlled substance. The Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a 2022 decree banning cultivation of narcotic crops, which Taliban authorities have applied to cannabis and opium alike. Enforcement falls to the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI).

Penalties are severe. Under the 2010 Counter Narcotics Law, possession and cultivation of cannabis attracted graduated sentences scaling to long terms of imprisonment, with trafficking subject to multi-decade prison terms or, in aggravated cases, capital punishment. Under Taliban governance, Sharia-grounded punishments including imprisonment, public lashing, and asset confiscation have been reported for narcotics offences. Afghanistan has historically been a major producer of hashish for export, but Taliban interdiction has reduced visible cultivation since 2022. There is no recognized medical cannabis program.

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