Is Hemp Legal in Lesotho?

Industrial hemp is legal in Lesotho as a licensed activity under the Drugs of Abuse (Cannabis) Regulations 2018. The Ministry of Health, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, may issue cultivation licences for cannabis intended for medicinal, scientific, or industrial purposes. Hemp falls within the same authorisation regime as medicinal cannabis rather than under a separate hemp statute, so cultivation outside a licence remains an offence under the Drugs of Abuse Act 2008.

Several licensed operators in the Mafeteng, Berea, and Maseru districts grow cannabis under licence for cannabinoid extraction, with limited reporting on dedicated low-THC industrial-fibre operations. Imports of finished hemp consumer goods (textiles, paper, hempseed foods) into the retail market are not standard and any commercial import generally requires permission from the relevant authorities.

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