Is Weed Legal in Senegal?
May 29, 2026
Marijuana is illegal in Senegal under the 1997 Code des Drogues, with two to ten years' imprisonment for possession. No medical access.
Marijuana is illegal in Senegal under the 1997 Code des Drogues, with two to ten years' imprisonment for possession. No medical access.
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.
Illegal
Office Central de Repression du Trafic Illicite des Stupefiants (OCRTIS); Ministere de la Justice; Ministere de la Sante
Prohibited for recreational use
Law No. 97-18 of 1 December 1997 portant Code des Drogues
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.
