Is Hemp Legal in Kazakhstan?

Industrial hemp is illegal in Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Agriculture has not licensed commercial hemp cultivation despite the Chuy Valley's massive wild cannabis stands, and the Criminal Code makes no distinction between hemp and psychoactive cannabis based on THC content.

The National Center for Agricultural Research has conducted historical studies on Cannabis sativa as a fiber crop dating to the Soviet era, but post-independence agricultural policy under the Ministry of Agriculture has focused on wheat, barley, and oilseeds rather than hemp. The annual Chuy Valley eradication campaign — coordinated by Anti-Drug Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs — destroys wild cannabis stands rather than licensing them for industrial use. Imported hemp seed for animal feed and hemp protein for human food are blocked at customs. Russia's 2019 hemp legalization has not produced harmonized EAEU rules.

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