Is Hemp Legal in Nicaragua?
May 29, 2026
Nicaragua bans industrial hemp under Law 735. Learn 2026 cultivation prohibition, IPSA stance, and import seizures.
Nicaragua bans industrial hemp under Law 735. Learn 2026 cultivation prohibition, IPSA stance, and import seizures.
Industrial hemp is illegal in Nicaragua. Law 735 of 2010 makes no distinction between marijuana and low-THC cannabis varieties, and the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) issues no cultivation licenses for fiber, seed, or cannabinoid hemp.
Domestic cultivation, even of EU-certified low-THC varieties, falls under Article 358 of the Penal Code with penalties of five to fifteen years. The Institute of Agricultural Protection and Health (IPSA) does not include hemp on the list of authorized crops, and exporters report blanket seizures of finished hemp products such as textiles and seed snacks at customs.
Discussion of hemp regulation has surfaced in the National Assembly periodically, but no enabling legislation has advanced. The Daniel Ortega government has consistently aligned with hard-line UN drug-control positions.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Illegal
Ministry of Agriculture (MAG); IPSA; National Assembly
No legal cultivation threshold
Law 735 of 2010; Penal Code Article 358
Import of hemp seed, fiber, and finished products is prohibited and treated as narcotic importation. IPSA refuses phytosanitary certificates for hemp varieties. Personal shipments through DHL and FedEx hubs in Managua are intercepted and forwarded to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
