South Sudan
Is Hemp Legal in South Sudan?
Status
Illegal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Industrial hemp is not authorised in South Sudan. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has no public licensing programme for Cannabis sativa L. cultivation. The 2008 Penal Code and 2012 Drugs and Food Control Authority Act capture all cannabis plant material regardless of THC content.
Sorghum, cassava, and sesame dominate smallholder agriculture; agricultural extension services are limited outside the Equatoria states. No hemp variety registry exists, and the country is not party to any regional hemp framework. Persistent conflict, displacement, and weak land tenure governance make any near-term hemp pilot extremely unlikely.
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 ·
South Sudan
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Prohibited
Regulator
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; National Drug and Food Control Authority
Key regulation
Penal Code Act 2008; Drugs and Food Control Authority Act 2012
Effective
January 1, 2012
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Illegal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Hemp imports and exports are not authorised. South Sudan Revenue Authority applies controlled-substance rules to hemp shipments. Cross-border trade routes through Uganda and Kenya face customs interdiction.
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Common questions
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