Is Hemp Legal in Tanzania?
May 29, 2026
Industrial hemp is illegal in Tanzania. No legal distinction from cannabis under the 2015 Drug Control Act. No Ministry of Agriculture cultivar approval.
Industrial hemp is illegal in Tanzania. No legal distinction from cannabis under the 2015 Drug Control Act. No Ministry of Agriculture cultivar approval.
Industrial hemp is illegal in Tanzania. The Ministry of Agriculture has not licensed commercial hemp cultivation, and the Drug Control and Enforcement Act of 2015 does not separate hemp from cannabis based on THC content.
The Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute has conducted preliminary studies on alternative fiber crops including sisal, kenaf, and ramie, but hemp has not entered the approved cultivar list. Some advocacy from the Tanzania Cannabis Authority Association has called for hemp regulation as part of agricultural diversification, but no draft legislation is before Parliament. Farmers found cultivating Cannabis sativa — even low-THC varieties — face the same penalties as marijuana cultivators: 5 to 20 years imprisonment and asset forfeiture. Imported hemp seed for animal feed is blocked at customs.
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; DCEA
Prohibited (no hemp definition)
Drug Control and Enforcement Act 2015
Hemp seeds, fiber, and CBD-bearing biomass are blocked at customs. No commercial hemp cultivar approval or import license exists.
