Is Hemp Legal in Sierra Leone?
May 29, 2026
Hemp is illegal in Sierra Leone under the 2008 Drugs Act. No licensing regime; the Ministry of Agriculture has not registered hemp.
Hemp is illegal in Sierra Leone under the 2008 Drugs Act. No licensing regime; the Ministry of Agriculture has not registered hemp.
Industrial hemp is illegal in Sierra Leone. The National Drugs Control Act 2008 does not distinguish between psychoactive cannabis and low-THC hemp, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has not registered hemp as a permitted crop. The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) does not maintain a hemp cultivar register.
Hemp seeds, fibre, hurd, biomass, and finished products are treated as controlled drugs by the National Revenue Authority Customs. There is no pilot programme for hemp textile, food, or construction applications. Reform around export-oriented hemp has surfaced in the National Investment Board's discussions, but no draft law has been gazetted as of 2026. Importers should expect refusal at Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
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 and Food Security; Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI); NDLEA
No legal hemp threshold
National Drugs Control Act 2008, as amended in 2017
Import and export of hemp seed, fibre, biomass, and finished hemp products are prohibited. Customs treats hemp shipments as controlled drugs. No commercial cultivation licenses are issued.
