Is Weed Legal in Tanzania?
May 29, 2026
Marijuana is illegal in Tanzania. Drug Control Act 2015 imposes 30-year minimums for over 10g. DCEA enforces; Zanzibar applies the same law.
Marijuana is illegal in Tanzania. Drug Control Act 2015 imposes 30-year minimums for over 10g. DCEA enforces; Zanzibar applies the same law.
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Tanzania. The Drug Control and Enforcement Act of 2015 (Act No. 5 of 2015) and the Drugs and Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Drugs Act criminalize possession, cultivation, sale, and trafficking of cannabis (locally called bangi).
Possession of any amount can trigger a minimum 30 years imprisonment under the 2015 Act for offenses involving more than 10 grams; smaller quantities still draw 5 to 20 years and substantial fines (TZS 1 million-30 million, about USD 400-12,000). Cultivation in regions such as Arusha, Tanga, and Morogoro is widespread but heavily prosecuted by the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), established in 2017. Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and the border at Namanga (Kenya) screen with K-9 units. Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar both apply the same federal framework, though Zanzibar's tourism-heavy economy means visitor enforcement is visible.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Illegal
Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA); Tanzania Police Force
Prohibited
Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015
Cannabis import and export are prohibited. The DCEA and Tanzania Revenue Authority screen at Julius Nyerere, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airports as well as Tunduma and Namanga land crossings.
