Senegal
Is Weed Legal in Senegal?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Senegal. Law No. 97-18 of 1 December 1997 enacting the Code des Drogues classifies cannabis (locally known as yamba) as a stupefiant, criminalising cultivation, possession, transport, sale, and consumption. Article 95 sets penalties at two to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of XOF 250,000 to XOF 5,000,000 for possession for personal use; trafficking carries ten to twenty years.
Senegal is a major regional cannabis producer, with significant cultivation in the Casamance region. Despite this, the Office Central de Repression du Trafic Illicite des Stupefiants (OCRTIS) and the Gendarmerie maintain consistent enforcement. Possession at Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) leads to prosecution, and tourists are not exempt. There is no decriminalisation threshold and no diversion to administrative sanctions.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Key facts ·
Senegal
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited for recreational use
Regulator
Office Central de Repression du Trafic Illicite des Stupefiants (OCRTIS); Ministere de la Justice; Ministere de la Sante
Key regulation
Law No. 97-18 of 1 December 1997 portant Code des Drogues
Effective
December 1, 1997
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Import and export of recreational cannabis are prohibited. The Direction Generale des Douanes Senegalaises and OCRTIS coordinate interdiction at the Port of Dakar and at land borders with Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. No medicinal or industrial regime is in force.
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