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Cannabis and hemp laws
Kenya
Cannabis illegal for recreational and medical use; CBD and hemp illegal
Adult use
Illegal
Medical
Illegal
Last reviewed
May 29, 2026
Kenya
Cannabinoid status board
No items found.
Kenya
Latest news and analysis
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FAQ
Common questions
Is marijuana legal in Kenya?
Recreational and medical marijuana are illegal in Kenya. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 1994 (Cap. 245) lists cannabis as a controlled substance, and Section 3 criminalizes possession, use, dealing, and cultivation without exception.
Is CBD legal in Kenya?
CBD is illegal in Kenya for general sale. Cannabidiol is treated as a derivative of cannabis under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has not registered any cannabidiol product for over-the-counter or prescription dispensing.
Is hemp legal in Kenya?
Industrial hemp is illegal in Kenya. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act makes no distinction between drug-type cannabis and low-THC industrial hemp, so cultivation of any Cannabis sativa is criminal under Section 3.
Can you travel to Kenya with cannabis or CBD?
Cannabis import and export are prohibited and prosecuted as trafficking. CBD imports are not authorized for retail.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Seed Legality
Cannabis is fully banned; seeds cannot be lawfully sold, bought or imported, and no hemp licensing regime exists.
Hemp seeds
Illegal
Marijuana seeds
Illegal
Sale
Illegal
Transacting
Illegal
Gifting
Illegal
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994 (Cap. 245) prohibits cannabis in all forms; 2022 amendments raised personal possession penalties to up to 5 years and trafficking over 100 grams to up to 50 years. The Act's definition of cannabis technically excludes seeds when not accompanied by flowering tops, but cultivating a prohibited plant is a serious offence and buying, selling or importing viable seeds is treated as illegal in practice. No Industrial Hemp Act appears on Kenya Law's official database despite claims circulating online, so there is no lawful pathway for low-THC hemp seed either. Reform proposals since the late MP Ken Okoth's 2019 bill have not advanced through Parliament.
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This section is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Seed laws change frequently — verify current law with qualified counsel before making decisions.