Zimbabwe
Is Hemp Legal in Zimbabwe?
Status
Restricted
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Industrial hemp cultivation in Zimbabwe is permitted under license. Statutory Instrument 218 of 2019 (Dangerous Drugs - Production of Industrial Hemp) Regulations established a separate hemp framework distinct from the 2018 medicinal cannabis regime. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement oversees agricultural licensing.
Hemp is defined as Cannabis sativa L. containing not more than 1% THC — a notably higher threshold than the EU's 0.3% or the US's 0.3% under the 2018 Farm Bill. License fees and bond requirements were set by SI 218/2019. Cultivation hubs include the Mashonaland provinces. The Industrial Hemp Trust and several private players have advanced pilot programmes. Domestic retail of hemp consumer products remains constrained by MCAZ medicinal-substance rules.
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 ·
Zimbabwe
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Up to 1% THC for licensed industrial hemp
Regulator
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement; MCAZ
Key regulation
Statutory Instrument 218 of 2019 (Industrial Hemp) Regulations
Effective
August 30, 2019
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Legal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Industrial hemp seed import and finished-product export require licenses under SI 218/2019. ZIMRA customs and MCAZ inspect shipments. Export markets include South Africa, the EU, and Asia. Personal hemp consumer-good imports remain restricted.
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