Is Weed Legal in Zambia?
May 29, 2026
Marijuana is illegal in Zambia under the Narcotic Drugs Act, Chapter 96. Trafficking carries up to 25 years' imprisonment.
Marijuana is illegal in Zambia under the Narcotic Drugs Act, Chapter 96. Trafficking carries up to 25 years' imprisonment.
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Zambia. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia, criminalises cultivation, possession, supply, and use of cannabis (chamba or insangu). Penalties scale by quantity and intent; trafficking can attract twenty-five years to life imprisonment and forfeiture under the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act.
Enforcement is led by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) of Zambia and the Zambia Police Service. The 2019 Cabinet decision authorising medical cannabis cultivation for export — implemented through Ministry of Health licensing — did not legalise recreational possession. The DEC continues to prosecute personal-use cases. Tourists are not exempt; possession at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) triggers arrest.
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 Enforcement Commission (DEC); Zambia Police Service; Ministry of Home Affairs
Prohibited for recreational use
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96
Recreational import and export are prohibited. The Zambia Revenue Authority and DEC screen at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula (LVI), Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (NLA), and at land borders with eight neighbours. Licensed medical exports under the 2019 framework require Ministry of Health authorisation and a verified foreign buyer.
