Ecuador
Is Hemp Legal in Ecuador?
Status
Legal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Industrial hemp is legal in Ecuador for licensed operators. The September 2020 Ministerial Agreement 109 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) opened cultivation of non-psychoactive cannabis with THC below 1.0 percent, and ARCSA built complementary rules for processing and finished products.
Licenses cover seed import, cultivation, research, industrial use, and commercialization, each carrying separate fees and traceability obligations. Operators must register fields by GPS coordinates, source seed from approved varieties, and submit harvest samples for THC verification. Provinces such as Pichincha, Imbabura, and Tungurahua host most pilot acreage, and Ecuadorian hemp now supplies oilseed, fiber, and CBD extract pipelines. Coordination between MAG, ARCSA, and the SENAE customs authority covers cross-border movement.
The 1.0 percent THC ceiling is generous compared to EU and US thresholds, supporting cultivars suited to high-altitude growing.
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 ·
Ecuador
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
1.0% THC
Regulator
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG); ARCSA
Key regulation
Ministerial Agreement 109 (MAG, 2020); ARCSA Resolution ARCSA-DE-2021-021-MAFG
Effective
September 8, 2020
Adult-use cannabis
Decriminalized
Medical cannabis
Legal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Hemp seed import requires MAG approval and ARCSA registration. Exports of fiber, seed food, and extracts move through SENAE with phytosanitary and analytical documentation.
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