Is Hemp Legal in Guyana?

Industrial hemp is illegal in Guyana. The Ministry of Agriculture has not issued cultivation licenses, and Guyanese law does not define hemp as separate from cannabis. All Cannabis sativa plants fall under the 1988 Narcotic Drugs Act regardless of THC content.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation and rice industry have studied alternative crops, but hemp has not entered the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute's approved cultivar list. A 2019 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) report recommended regional hemp pilots, and Guyana's then-government acknowledged it but took no legislative action. Cultivation without a permit carries the same penalties as marijuana — up to 5 years imprisonment and asset forfeiture.

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