Democratic Republic of the Congo
Is Weed Legal in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Recreational marijuana is illegal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ordonnance-loi N degrees 71-079 du 26 mars 1971 sur les stupefiants et la Loi N degrees 73-009 portant Code penal (as amended) criminalise cultivation, possession, transport, sale, and use of cannabis (bangi or chanvre). Trafficking attracts custodial sentences of up to twenty years and forfeiture; consumption can lead to shorter sentences and rehabilitation orders.
Enforcement is led by the Police Nationale Congolaise (PNC) Office central de lutte contre la drogue and the Agence Nationale de Renseignements. Cultivation is widespread in the eastern provinces (North and South Kivu, Maniema, Tshopo) but is not legally tolerated. There is no medical cannabis programme. The Direction de la Pharmacie et du Medicament (DPM) has not authorised cannabinoid medicines.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Key facts ·
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited
Regulator
Police Nationale Congolaise (PNC); Ministere de la Justice
Key regulation
Ordonnance-loi N degrees 71-079 du 26 mars 1971 sur les stupefiants; Code Penal
Effective
March 26, 1971
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Import and export of cannabis are prohibited. The Direction Generale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA) screens at N'djili International Airport (FIH), Lubumbashi (FBM), Goma (GOM), and at the country's land borders with nine neighbours. Lake Tanganyika and Lake Kivu crossings are monitored by lake police.
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