Does Zambia have a recreational use program?

No, Zambia does not have a recreational use program. Zambian law forbids the possession, sale, and production of cannabis.

The primary reasons for this restriction are concerns about cannabis’s possible negative effects on social order, and public health, and its ability to support organized crime.

Does Zambia have a medical program?

Yes, medical cannabis is legal in Zambia.

By unanimous vote, medical cannabis was approved in December 2019 for export and medical use exclusively.

The government of Zambia legalized the growing of cannabis in 1993 for medical use. Since the government hasn’t given any cannabis farmers licenses yet, the industry’s potential isn’t even close to being realized.

What are the rules for medical use?

The Zambia National Service will be in charge of monitoring and enforcing laws of marijuana growing in Zambia, while the Ministry of Health will be in charge of giving licenses for marijuana sales and cultivation.

The Industrial Hemp Act of 2021 and the Cannabis Act of 2021 are two new laws that Zambia has passed. These rules came into effect as a result of a cabinet resolution made in 2019 to allow the export and medical use of cannabis. This reform was driven by the desire to increase foreign exchange earnings while tackling the nation’s mounting debt and budget imbalance.

Unfortunately, the government never created a system for granting these licenses, and the majority of people were unaware that the law even existed. 

What are the qualifying medical conditions for eligibility?

• Chronic pain
• Nausea and vomiting (e.g. after chemotherapy)
• Loss of appetite associated with certain health conditions
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• MS

What are the medical program limits?

There are no clear medical rules available.

What methods of use are permitted under the medical program?

There are no clear medical rules available.

Is there home delivery for medical cannabis?

There are no clear medical rules available.

Is CBD legal in Zambia?

No, CBD is not legal in Zambia. It is still unlawful to use, buy, or sell CBD in Zambia, even if it is being used for medical purposes, since there is no official legislation governing its legal status and it is not distinguished from cannabis.

Is cannabis decriminalized in Zambia?

Yes, cannabis is decriminalized in Zambia. Under Zambia’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1993, cannabis is categorized as a narcotic drug.

Cannabis possession has a maximum 10-year prison penalty; cannabis sales or supplies carry a maximum 25-year prison sentence; and cultivating cannabis carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence.