Cannabis, THC, CBD & Hemp Regulations in Lesotho: Complete 2026 Guide

Last updated: September 2026

Lesotho operates a dual system: recreational cannabis remains fully prohibited, while licensed cultivation, processing and export of cannabis for medicinal, scientific and industrial purposes have been permitted since 2017 — making Lesotho the first African country to issue such licences. This guide summarises the current legal position as of 2026 under the Drugs of Abuse Act 2008 and the Cannabis Regulations (as amended in 2025), including regulatory bodies, licence fees, CBD status, penalties and practical advice for residents, investors and travellers.

Legal Status Overview (2026)

• Recreational cannabis: Fully illegal
• Medical / medicinal cannabis: Legal under licence (primarily for export and pharmaceutical production)
• Industrial cannabis / hemp: Legal under the same licensed regime (medicinal, scientific or industrial purposes)
• CBD: Not available as a general consumer product; restricted to licensed channels
• Personal / unlicensed possession: Criminal offence

The foundational statute is the Drugs of Abuse Act 2008. Licensed activities are governed by the Drugs of Abuse (Cannabis) Regulations 2018, significantly amended by Legal Notice No. 155 of 2025 (Drugs of Abuse (Cannabis) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, published 7 November 2025). Oversight has been restructured under the Lesotho Medicines Regulatory Authority (LeMeRA) and the Lesotho Narcotics Bureau (LNB). The Lesotho Medicines and Medical Devices Control Authority Act 2023 has been operationalised. Licences do not create a domestic recreational market or public patient-access system for ordinary residents or visitors.

Recreational Cannabis: Complete Prohibition

Possession, use, cultivation, sale and trafficking of cannabis outside the licensed system remain criminal offences under the Drugs of Abuse Act 2008. There is no adult-use market, no personal-use exemption and no home-grow allowance. Travellers and residents have no legal right to buy, possess or consume cannabis for recreational purposes.

Licensed Medicinal, Scientific and Industrial Framework

Lesotho has issued commercial cannabis licences since 2017. Key features of the current regime include:

• Licences available for cultivation, manufacturing, testing, research, transportation, storage, supply and operator activities.
• Applications are submitted to LeMeRA for technical review and recommendations, then to the Lesotho Narcotics Bureau (LNB) for vetting and final decision, ensuring compliance with local and international (INCB) reporting protocols.
• Strict security, seed-to-sale tracking, GACP (cultivation) and GMP (processing) standards, and laboratory testing requirements apply.
• Import and export of cannabis or cannabis products for commercial purposes require specific permits (Form B of Schedule I) under sections 14 and 15 of the Act, with endorsement by the relevant authorities.
• Focus remains on high-quality medical cannabis for export and pharmaceutical production. Domestic dispensary or patient-access systems are not yet operational (further marketing-authorisation and drug-schedule regulations are under development).
• Industrial purposes (including hemp fibre, seed and related products) fall under the same licensing regime rather than a completely separate low-THC statute.

The 2025 Amendment substantially revised fee schedules and strengthened import/export and testing rules.

Key Licence Fees (2025 Schedule – approximate)

• Operator Licence: M400,000 (renewal M300,000)
• Cultivation / Manufacturing / Testing: M100,000 each (renewal M75,000)
• Research: M50,000 (renewal M40,000)
• Transportation / Supply: M40,000 each
• Storage: M10,000
• Annual Inspection: M25,000; Change of Location: M35,000
• Commercial Import/Export Permit: M1,000; Medical/Scientific programmes: M5,000

Operators should verify the latest official Schedule II figures with LeMeRA / LNB.

THC, CBD and Hemp Status

• Industrial hemp / low-THC cannabis: Permitted only under licence for industrial, medicinal or scientific purposes. There is no widely publicised standalone low-THC percentage threshold that automatically exempts unlicensed hemp; cultivation outside a licence remains an offence. Some operational practice distinguishes lower-THC outdoor cultivation (e.g., for CBD isolate) from higher-THC indoor production.
• Medicinal cannabis: Licensed cultivation and processing for pharmaceutical and export markets. No broad public medical-access programme for ordinary patients yet exists.
• CBD: Not available as an over-the-counter or general consumer product. The law does not create a free CBD market. Licensed operators may extract and export cannabinoids, but unlicensed possession, sale or importation of CBD products carries legal risk.

Products that are legal in neighbouring countries should not be assumed lawful for personal use or import into Lesotho.

Penalties for Violations

Unauthorised possession, use, cultivation or dealing in cannabis is a serious offence under the Drugs of Abuse Act 2008. Travel advisories and secondary sources report that cannabis offences can attract a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment or a fine of at least M20,000, or both. Penalties for trafficking and larger-scale activity are more severe. Legal proceedings and detention conditions can be harsh. Travellers should assume zero tolerance for personal possession.

Practical Reality for Travellers, Residents and Investors

There is no legal route for a traveller or ordinary resident to buy, possess or use recreational cannabis or unlicensed CBD products. The existence of a licensed export industry does not create any personal-use or tourist exemption.

Commercial operators and investors must obtain the appropriate licences through LeMeRA and the Lesotho Narcotics Bureau, meet security, tracking, GACP/GMP and testing requirements, and comply with the revised 2025 fee and permit rules. Domestic consumer sales remain closed. Further operational guidelines on marketing authorisation and drug schedules are expected.

Comparison with Neighbouring / Regional Countries (2026 Snapshot)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is weed legal in Lesotho in 2026?

Recreational cannabis is illegal. Licensed medicinal, scientific and industrial cannabis activities are permitted under the Drugs of Abuse Act 2008 and Cannabis Regulations (as amended), but there is no personal or recreational market.

Is CBD legal in Lesotho?

CBD is not available as a general consumer product. It falls under the controlled licensed regime. Unlicensed possession or importation carries legal risk.

Can I grow industrial hemp in Lesotho?

Yes, but only with a licence issued under the Cannabis Regulations for industrial (or medicinal/scientific) purposes. Unlicensed cultivation remains illegal.

What are the penalties for possession?

Unauthorised possession is a criminal offence. Reported minimum penalties include 5 years’ imprisonment or a fine of at least M20,000, or both. Outcomes depend on the facts of the case.

Do foreign medical prescriptions work?

No general recognition exists for foreign prescriptions outside the licensed Lesotho system. Travellers should not bring cannabis or CBD products into the country.

Conclusion and Outlook for 2026–2027

As of September 2026 Lesotho maintains a dual regime: recreational cannabis is fully prohibited under the Drugs of Abuse Act 2008, while a licensed pathway for medicinal, scientific and industrial cannabis (including activities that cover industrial hemp) has operated since 2017 and was strengthened by the 2025 Regulations amendment and the establishment of LeMeRA and the Lesotho Narcotics Bureau. The industry remains primarily export- and pharmaceutical-oriented; there is no open domestic consumer or recreational market and no general CBD retail pathway. Licence fees were significantly increased in 2025. Further operational guidelines on marketing authorisation and drug schedules are expected.

Anyone considering travel, personal use, research or investment must treat unlicensed activity as high-risk and obtain current advice from a qualified Lesotho lawyer or the relevant regulatory authorities (LeMeRA, Lesotho Narcotics Bureau, Ministry of Health). Always verify the latest licence requirements, fee schedules and enforcement practice with official sources.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official sources (Lesotho Medicines Regulatory Authority, Lesotho Narcotics Bureau, and qualified local counsel) before taking any action related to controlled substances in Lesotho.