Is Marijuana Legal in Burundi?

The possession, use, sale, and cultivation of cannabis are against the law in Burundi, regardless of whether it’s for medical use or recreational purposes.

Despite other African countries such as South Africa and Lesotho passing marijuana laws, Burundi’s cannabis ban has lasted for decades, and new laws seem unlikely to appear soon.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Burundi

Cannabis use is thought to represent only a minor drug issue in Burundi. Called chanvre a fumer or “smoking hemp” locally, the leaves or flowers were smoked, but it’s unknown what cannabinoid content the hemp shared with cannabis elsewhere.

The plant only grows in small, wild batches in Burundi, whose climate isn’t well-suited to cultivation.

A United States committee hearing in 1977 reviewed instances and the legal status of cannabis use in Burundi, finding that a total outlawing of the plant had been in effect for a while and that no cases of cannabis violations had occurred in the previous eight years.

Currently, the personal use of cannabis is against the law, with penalties for drug possession violations ranging from climbing fines to up to a year in prison. Local law enforcement can also confiscate and destroy plants or cannabis products.

As such, Burundi has no medical marijuana program or laws, and medical use of the plant is subject to the same local laws as recreational marijuana.

Its agreement with the United Nations’ blanket ban on cannabis also means that rules are unlikely to shift in the near future.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Burundi

All Cannabis Is Ilegal

Burundi’s federal government defines cannabis under a uniform umbrella and bans all use, possession, sale, and cultivation, regardless of whether it is for recreational or medical purposes.

Whether it’s smokable hemp containing 0 THC or a medical CBD product, it’s illegal in Burundi.

Laws Are Unlikely to Change Soon

Because cannabis use is a low priority in Burundi and minimal drug violations occur each year, the country is unlikely to change cannabis’s legal status any time soon.

Can You Grow Cannabis in Burundi?

Cannabis cultivation is illegal in Burundi. Those found growing marijuana are subject to scaling fines and prison time, depending on the severity of the violation, and the plant materials are subject to confiscation by law enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Burundi’s laws explicitly ban both medical and recreational cannabis. Hemp-derived CBD products are also illegal in Burundi, even if they contain no THC.  If traveling in the country, it’s important to obey local laws and avoid the plant and products.