Zimbabwe’s medicinal cannabis sector is entering a critical phase in 2026, with licensees warned to renew permits before they expire and new regulations tightening oversight of production activities. At the same time, local reporting points to emerging value‑addition facilities aimed at extracts and pharmaceutical‑grade outputs.
Licence renewals: act now or lose your permit
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has cautioned that medicinal cannabis permits issued in 2021 are reaching the end of their five‑year validity. Late renewal applications will not be accepted, meaning operators that miss the window risk losing their licensed status and any associated export approvals.
New regulatory layer: Statutory Instrument 108 of 2026
Alongside renewals, Zimbabwe has promulgated Statutory Instrument 108 of 2026, updating the Dangerous Drugs framework to further regulate medicinal cannabis production, handling and oversight. The practical effect is clearer expectations around facility licensing conditions, record‑keeping and reporting obligations, and oversight of cultivation, processing and distribution activities.
Value‑addition: from flower to extracts
Local reporting in 2026 highlights investment in processing capacity designed to turn medicinal cannabis into higher‑value pharmaceutical outputs rather than raw biomass. This aligns with Zimbabwe’s longer‑term ambition to capture more of the value chain domestically and access premium export markets.
What CBD Africa readers should do
- Prioritise licence renewals with MCAZ before deadlines.
- Audit operations against SI 108 and anticipate stricter inspections.
- Design for value addition from the outset, with extraction‑ready biomass and pharma‑grade documentation.
Related reading
- Zimbabwe – CBDAFRICA
- Zimbabwe to Zambia: Mapping Africa’s Fastest‑Growing Hemp Economies
- Cultivators – CBDAFRICA
Information only: cannabis, hemp and CBD laws can change. Check the current requirements with the relevant regulator or a qualified local adviser before acting.