Is Hemp Legal in Cambodia?

Industrial hemp is illegal in Cambodia. The Law on the Control of Drugs does not distinguish low-THC industrial hemp from drug-type Cannabis sativa, so cultivation of any cannabis variety is treated as a Group I narcotic offense.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has not opened a hemp pilot or licensed any growers, and the Department of Drugs and Food has not approved hemp seed, hempseed oil, or hemp protein for retail. Customs may admit small personal-use quantities of imported hemp food products on a discretionary basis, but commercial-scale imports are routinely refused. Unlicensed cultivation under Article 42 attracts five to ten years of imprisonment. Cambodia's strategic position alongside Thailand, where hemp is regulated, has created cross-border smuggling pressure but has not translated into domestic legalization.

Industry consultations have surfaced occasionally in policy fora at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, but no enabling legislation has been introduced in the National Assembly as of 2026.

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