Is Weed Legal in Pakistan?

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Pakistan, while medical and industrial use is moving toward a regulated framework. The Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997 governs cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance and is enforced by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) under the Ministry of Narcotics Control, with concurrent jurisdiction by the Pakistan Customs Service and provincial police. In September 2020, the Federal Cabinet first approved a framework for industrial hemp and medical cannabis cultivation, and in September 2024 Pakistan enacted the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Act 2024, establishing the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (CCRA) under the Cabinet Division to license cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes, with hemp defined at a maximum 0.3% THC. A National Cannabis Control and Regulatory Policy followed in 2025, but commercial recreational use remains prohibited.

Penalties under Sections 6 to 9 of the 1997 Act are severe. Possession of cannabis attracts imprisonment up to 7 years and fines depending on quantity. Possession or trafficking exceeding 1,000 grams of cannabis triggers a minimum sentence of life imprisonment, and in aggravated cases capital punishment is available under the statute, though death sentences are rarely imposed in practice. Charas (hashish) remains widely available informally, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but enforcement is active. Bhang preparations consumed during Holi and certain Sufi observances exist in cultural practice without statutory exemption.

Last reviewed: August 6, 2026.

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