Somalia
Is Hemp Legal in Somalia?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Industrial hemp is not authorised in Somalia. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has no public licensing programme for Cannabis sativa L. cultivation, and the Penal Code captures all cannabis plant material regardless of THC content.
Sorghum, maize, sesame, and bananas dominate cultivation in the Shabelle and Juba river valleys. No commercial hemp acreage exists, and Somalia is not party to any regional hemp framework. Persistent insecurity, climate volatility, and disrupted land tenure make any near-term hemp pilot implausible. The self-declared independent Somaliland in the north maintains its own agriculture ministry but has not pursued hemp licensing either.
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 ·
Somalia
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited
Regulator
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
Key regulation
Penal Code Legislative Decree No 5/1962
Effective
December 16, 1962
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Hemp imports and exports are not authorised. Somali Customs Authority and Federal Member State customs offices treat hemp shipments as controlled-substance imports. The ports of Mogadishu, Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo are the principal inspection points.
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