Is Marijuana Legal in Rwanda?

Marijuana is illegal for recreational purposes in Rwanda. Those caught possessing, cultivating, processing, or selling cannabis for unauthorized reasons can face legal consequences, including jail time and fines.

However, the Republic of Rwanda recently legalized marijuana production, export, import, processing, and use for medical purposes. Unfortunately, patients do not have access to the plant yet, as Rwanda’s medical marijuana market today is strictly focused on export.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Rwanda

In 2021, Rwanda took a significant step forward by legalizing medical cannabis production, import, export, cultivation, and use. This decision came 11 years after the Minister of Health initially proposed medical cannabis legalization in 2010.

As a result, doctors in Rwanda now theoretically have the authority to prescribe medical cannabis without restrictions on the types of conditions that can be considered for treatment. Doctors must be specialists officially accredited by the Ministry of Health to provide such prescriptions.

This progressive law is a huge win for Rwandan society. However, the nation’s medical use and prescription rules are just words on paper today. Rwanda has not established a medical marijuana market or patient access within its borders yet.

Rather, the nation has focused on creating an export industry first. Rwanda’s future domestic cannabis production, pharmaceutical imports, and patient access look bright but are yet to be seen.

Recreational Cannabis Laws and Penalties in Rwanda

Although Rwanda legalized medical marijuana, recreational cannabis use and sales remain illegal throughout the East African nation.

The Rwandan government enforces strict penalties for the illicit production, distribution, and consumption of cannabis. According to Rwanda’s penal code, individuals caught using marijuana for recreational purposes can be subject to a “term of imprisonment of one (1) year to three (3) years and a fine of fifty thousand (50,000) to five hundred thousand (500,000) Rwandan francs.” Those involved in the sale, production, and trafficking of cannabis face even more severe consequences.

For example, people who unlawfully produce, transform, import or sell psychotropic substances, like cannabis, face three to five years in prison and up to five million (5,000,000) Rwandan francs. Those producing or trafficking drugs outside the country face double the penalties.

Additionally, assisting someone in using psychotropic substances by providing premises or through other means can lead to imprisonment ranging from one to three years and a fine ranging from 500,000 to 5,000,000 Rwandan francs.

The same penalties apply to patients or doctors who knowingly acquire or provide these substances using fraudulent medical prescriptions. Delivering narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances based on fraudulent medical prescriptions also carries the same penalties.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Rwanda

Rwanda’s decision to legalize medical cannabis use aligns with other African countries like Lesotho, Morocco, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Licensed patients in Rwanda will eventually have broad access to cannabis products once the government establishes guidelines for licenses and access.

Future Medical Use and Licenses in Rwanda

In June 2021, Rwanda’s government published a Ministerial Order relating to cannabis and cannabis products (No 003/MoH/2021 of 25/06/2021). This order indicates the government will ultimately create guidelines that coincide with the Order’s rules on authorized prescribers, users, cultivators, and processors.

Signed by the Minister of Health Daniel Ngamije and the Minister of Justice Johnston Busingye, the Order clarifies that:

• Only specialist medical doctors, with written authorization from the Ministry of Health, can prescribe cannabis and cannabis products.
• Only patients that have received a prescription from a specialist medical doctor can access such products.
• Eligible people or investors can apply for various medical cannabis licenses, including cultivation, importation, exportation, processing, product registration, and research.
• Cannabis operators of any kind must provide a security plan to the Rwanda National Police for approval, including double-layered fencing and private security on site.

Rwanda’s Medical Marijuana Export Market

While Rwandan patients await medical use access, the government is actively pursuing its plans to export medical marijuana outside the country. In March 2022, the government allocated 134 hectares of land for cannabis production and is currently developing the site.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) evaluated proposals and selected cultivation companies with prior experience producing cannabis for medical and therapeutic reasons. Currently, five companies are in the advanced stage of assessment.

According to the Rwanda Development Board, the licensing process is thorough, requiring strict adherence to security requirements and site infrastructure. Approved companies will be obligated to implement robust security programs approved by Rwandan security organizations.

Measures such as security cameras, watchtowers, street lights, and human security will be implemented to ensure the crops remain in designated areas and prevent unauthorized access or leakage into the domestic market.

All cultivation licenses will be exclusively for export purposes. Rwanda’s primary target export markets are the United States of America, Canada, and Europe, where there is significant demand for medical marijuana.

Can You Grow Cannabis in Rwanda?

Today only licensed companies can cultivate cannabis in Rwanda, specifically for export purposes. Cultivation for domestic sales or personal use is strictly prohibited in the nation. Offenders can face severe penalties, including jail time and fines.

The Bottom Line

Rwanda has made significant strides in its cannabis laws, particularly regarding medical marijuana. The country legalized medical cannabis in 2021, allowing specialized doctors to prescribe it for various conditions.

However, there is currently no domestic market or patient access, as the focus has been on establishing an export industry. Recreational use of cannabis remains illegal, with strict penalties for possession, cultivation, and distribution.