Cannabis, THC, CBD & Hemp Regulations in Seychelles: Complete 2026 Guide
Last updated: September 2026
Seychelles maintains a strict prohibition on recreational cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 2016. A narrow regulatory pathway for certain cannabidiol-based products for medical purposes was introduced in 2020, but it remains largely inaccessible in practice. There is no operational industrial-hemp regime and no adult-use market. This guide summarises the current legal position as of 2026, including penalties, the limited medical CBD framework, enforcement realities and practical advice for residents and travellers.
Legal Status Overview (2026)
- Recreational cannabis: Fully illegal
- Medical cannabis (THC): No broad public programme
- Medical CBD: Narrow regulations exist (2020) but largely non-operational / inaccessible in practice
- Industrial hemp: No dedicated operational licensing regime
- Personal possession: Criminal offence (with quantity-based distinctions and possible diversion for small first-time cases)
The principal statute is the Misuse of Drugs Act 2016 (Act 5 of 2016), which repealed the earlier 1990 law and classifies cannabis as a Class B drug. Cultivation, possession, supply, use, import and export are controlled. The Act emphasises treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration for users alongside enforcement. The Anti-Narcotics Bureau (ANB) leads enforcement; the Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation (APDAR) handles diversion and rehabilitation. Following a 2019 Constitutional Court order, the government issued the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabidiol-based Products for Medical Purposes) Regulations 2020, but implementation has remained limited.
Recreational Cannabis: Complete Prohibition
Possession, use, cultivation and supply of cannabis remain criminal offences. There is no adult-use market and no personal-use exemption. The 2016 Act distinguishes small personal quantities from trafficking: possession of 25 grams or more of cannabis flower (or 5 grams of resin) triggers a legal presumption of intent to traffic. Reported local enforcement against very small personal use can be inconsistent, but travellers should not rely on this — airport screening is effective and police retain stop-and-search powers.
Medical Cannabis and the 2020 CBD Regulations
There is no broad public medical-cannabis (THC) programme. In response to a 2019 Constitutional Court ruling, the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabidiol-based Products for Medical Purposes) Regulations 2020 were adopted. These theoretically permit certain CBD-based products containing little or no THC for medical purposes under strict conditions (qualifying medical condition, approved prescription by authorised practitioners, controls on import, storage and administration, and advertising restrictions). In practice, sources indicate that qualifying conditions and operational access pathways have not been fully established, so medical CBD remains largely inaccessible to ordinary patients. Foreign medical prescriptions have no reliable legal recognition for importation or personal use of cannabis or CBD products.
THC, CBD and Hemp Status
- CBD: Outside the narrow (and largely non-operational) 2020 medical regulations, the Misuse of Drugs Act does not clearly distinguish CBD from other cannabis derivatives. General consumer CBD products are therefore treated restrictively and carry legal risk. Importation of CBD oils, tinctures, cosmetics or similar items is not authorised for ordinary travellers or residents.
- Industrial hemp: No dedicated, operational industrial-hemp licensing framework has been identified. Cultivation of cannabis plants remains controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Products that are legal in other countries remain risky in Seychelles.
Penalties for Violations
Penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act 2016 are significant and quantity-sensitive:
- Possession of small personal amounts (under 25 g cannabis flower or 5 g resin): Summary offence carrying a fine of up to 50,000 rupees and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years. In practice, first-time small-quantity cases may be diverted to APDAR for rehabilitation rather than the maximum sentence, but arrest, possible refusal of bail and a prolonged prosecution remain real risks.
- Trafficking (including the presumption triggered by 25 g or more): Imprisonment for life is possible, together with substantial fines (reported up to 750,000 rupees or higher). Larger or aggravated quantities are treated more severely.
Penalties also apply to cultivation, supply and importation. Offences committed while merely transiting the airport are still prosecutable. UK FCDO and other travel advisories warn that illegal drugs carry severe penalties.
Practical Reality for Travellers and Residents
Bringing cannabis, CBD products or related materials into Seychelles — even if legal or prescribed elsewhere — carries a high risk of seizure, arrest, prosecution, imprisonment and fines. Airport and port screening (Seychelles International Airport on Mahé and Port Victoria) is strict. There is currently no reliable medical exception for travellers. Informal availability does not equal legality.
Anyone following reform discussions should treat any future change as prospective only until legislation is passed and fully implemented.
Comparison with Neighbouring / Regional Countries (2026 Snapshot)
| Country | Recreational | Medical | CBD / Hemp Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seychelles | Illegal | Narrow CBD regulations (largely non-operational) | CBD restrictive outside limited medical rules; no operational hemp regime |
| Mauritius | Illegal | Amendment passed but not in force | CBD still controlled in practice |
| Madagascar | Illegal | Illegal | No distinction; CBD treated as cannabis |
| Comoros | Illegal | Illegal | No distinction; CBD treated as cannabis |
| Malawi | Illegal | Licensed (CRA) | Industrial hemp ≤ 1% THC; CBD regulated under licence |
| Ghana | Illegal | Licensed (≤ 0.3% THC) | Licensed low-THC medical & industrial pathway |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is weed legal in Seychelles in 2026?
No. Cannabis is an illegal Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 2016. Recreational possession, use, cultivation and supply are offences.
Is CBD legal in Seychelles?
Outside a narrow set of 2020 medical CBD regulations that remain largely inaccessible in practice, CBD is treated restrictively under the general cannabis controls. Consumer CBD products and imports carry legal risk.
Can I grow industrial hemp in Seychelles?
No operational dedicated industrial-hemp licensing regime exists. Cultivation of cannabis plants remains controlled.
What are the penalties for possession?
Small personal amounts (under 25 g flower / 5 g resin) can attract a fine of up to 50,000 rupees and/or up to 5 years’ imprisonment, though first-time cases may be diverted to rehabilitation. 25 g or more triggers a trafficking presumption, with life imprisonment possible for trafficking offences.
Do foreign medical prescriptions work?
No reliable pathway exists. The 2020 CBD medical regulations have not created practical access for most patients or travellers.
Conclusion and Outlook for 2026–2027
As of September 2026 Seychelles continues to enforce a comprehensive prohibition on recreational cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 2016. A limited regulatory pathway for certain CBD-based products for medical purposes was created in 2020 following a Constitutional Court order, but it remains largely non-operational. There is no broad medical-THC programme and no industrial-hemp licensing regime. Enforcement by the Anti-Narcotics Bureau and customs is active, particularly at entry points. Reform discussion continues, but no recreational legalisation or fully functioning medical market has been implemented.
Anyone considering travel, research, investment or personal use involving cannabis-related products should treat the legal risk as high and obtain advice from a qualified Seychellois lawyer. Always verify the latest position with official authorities (Anti-Narcotics Bureau, Ministry of Health, APDAR), as both enforcement practice and possible regulatory developments can evolve.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official sources and qualified local counsel before taking any action related to controlled substances in Seychelles.