Is Hemp Legal in Bangladesh?
May 29, 2026
Industrial hemp is illegal in Bangladesh under the Narcotics Control Act 2018. No licensing; cultivation ended 1987. Full 2026 compliance guide.
Industrial hemp is illegal in Bangladesh under the Narcotics Control Act 2018. No licensing; cultivation ended 1987. Full 2026 compliance guide.
Industrial hemp is illegal in Bangladesh. The Narcotics Control Act, 2018 covers all Cannabis sativa material without a low-THC carve-out, and the Ministry of Agriculture does not register industrial hemp varieties for commercial cultivation.
Ganja cultivation in the Naogaon district was historically licensed under British and Pakistani administrations until Bangladesh ended licensed production in 1987 to comply with the 1961 UN Single Convention. The 2018 Act applies the same penalties to hemp cultivation as to marijuana, including up to 5 years' imprisonment for small operations and harsher sentences for large-scale activity. Hemp seed, fiber, protein, and hemp food imports are not approved by the National Board of Revenue.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Illegal
Department of Narcotics Control; Ministry of Agriculture
Prohibited
Narcotics Control Act, 2018
Hemp imports are prohibited. The National Board of Revenue Customs Wing does not classify hemp products separately, and shipments of hemp seed, fiber, and hemp foods are detained as cannabis material.
