Egypt

Is Hemp Legal in Egypt?

Status

Illegal

Covers

Hemp (General)

Jurisdiction

Independent Country

Last updated

May 29, 2026

The short answer

Industrial hemp is illegal in Egypt. There is no licensed cultivation program, no THC threshold separating low-cannabinoid Cannabis sativa from drug-type cannabis, and no commercial fiber or seed-food industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation does not issue hemp permits, and the Anti-Narcotics General Administration treats all Cannabis sativa cultivation as a narcotics offense regardless of cannabinoid content. Imports of hemp seed, fiber, hempcrete, or textiles are subject to customs review, and finished hemp foods such as protein powder are routinely rejected at the border. Academic research on hemp would require special ministerial authorization that has not been publicly granted.

The historical presence of bango cultivation in the Sinai and parts of Upper Egypt informs aggressive enforcement, and even non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa attracts the same treatment as drug-type strains.

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 ·

Egypt

Key facts

Rules at a glance

All countries

THC limit

No legal hemp threshold

Regulator

Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation; Ministry of Interior

Key regulation

Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960

Effective

December 22, 1960

Adult-use cannabis

Illegal

Medical cannabis

Illegal

For brands and importers

Import and export rules

Hemp seed, fiber, food, and textile imports are prohibited or routinely rejected by customs. No legal export channel exists.

FAQ

Common questions

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