Is Hemp Legal in North Korea?

Industrial hemp occupies an unusual position in the DPRK. Hemp fiber has a long agricultural history on the peninsula, and outside research, including reporting by the Daily NK and academic studies, indicates that hemp cultivation for fiber and seed continues in cooperative farms, particularly in North Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces. Whether this falls under any formal licensing or simply persists as a traditional crop tolerated by authorities is not publicly documented. The Ministry of Agriculture and the cooperative farm management committees oversee crop planning.

The Criminal Code does not distinguish industrial hemp from cannabis by THC concentration, and there is no published THC threshold. Sale or diversion of hemp material into psychoactive use would fall under the narcotics articles, but routine fiber cultivation appears to escape prosecution in practice. No commercial hemp export industry operates, and no licensed CBD-from-hemp production has been reported. Readers should treat all statements about DPRK hemp policy as provisional given the absence of accessible primary legal sources.

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