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

Last updated: September 2026

Tunisia maintains a strict prohibition on cannabis and all related substances under Loi n° 92-52 of 1992 (commonly known as Loi 52). There is no recreational market, no broad public medical cannabis programme, and no legal distinction for CBD or industrial hemp. A 2017 amendment restored limited judicial discretion for personal-use offences, but possession remains a criminal offence and outcomes are unpredictable. This guide summarises the current legal position as of 2026, including penalties and practical advice for residents and travellers.

Legal Status Overview (2026)

• Recreational cannabis: Fully illegal (locally known as zatla)
• Medical cannabis: No broad public programme or practical pathway
• CBD products: Illegal – treated as cannabis derivatives with no exemption
• Industrial hemp: Illegal – no distinction from cannabis; no licensing regime
• Personal possession: Criminal offence (judicial discretion possible for first-time offenders since 2017)

The principal statute is Loi n° 92-52 du 18 mai 1992 relative aux stupéfiants. Article 2 absolutely prohibits the cultivation, consumption, production, harvesting, possession, purchase, transport, trafficking, importation, exportation and related acts involving the narcotic plants covered by the law. It was amended by Loi organique n° 2017-39, which restored the application of Article 53 of the Penal Code to personal-use offences under Articles 4 and 8, giving judges discretion to impose alternatives (such as suspended sentences, probation or fines) in appropriate first-time cases. Possession remains criminal; repeat offenders continue to face the full statutory penalties. The Direction de la Pharmacie et du Médicament (DPM) has not registered CBD products. No industrial-hemp framework exists.

Recreational Cannabis: Complete Prohibition

Possession, use, cultivation, sale, supply, import and export of cannabis are criminal offences. There is no adult-use market, no personal-use exemption that removes criminal liability, and no home-grow allowance. Informal use (zatla culture) exists, particularly among youth, but the formal legal position is prohibition. Enforcement is aggressive; foreign nationals face arrest, prosecution, possible imprisonment and, after serving a sentence, expulsion with a re-entry ban.

Medical Cannabis and Scientific Use

Tunisia does not operate a broad public medical cannabis programme. There is no system of routine patient registration, authorised prescriptions or licensed dispensaries for ordinary patients or travellers. Foreign medical prescriptions for cannabis or CBD products have no legal recognition. Theoretical scientific or medical authorisations under controlled-substance frameworks have not created a functioning public pathway accessible to the general population or visitors.

THC, CBD and Hemp Status

Tunisian law makes no distinction between high-THC cannabis, CBD or industrial hemp.

• CBD: Illegal. Loi 52 treats cannabis derivatives as controlled substances without separating psychoactive THC from non-psychoactive cannabidiol. No THC threshold exists. DPM has not registered any CBD pharmaceutical. There is no over-the-counter market. Travellers carrying CBD oils, gummies, cosmetics or similar products through Tunis-Carthage Airport or land crossings risk seizure and prosecution under the same provisions applied to cannabis flower.
• Industrial hemp: Illegal. Loi 52 defines Cannabis sativa as a controlled plant without reference to THC concentration. There is no 0.3% (or similar) threshold. The Ministry of Agriculture has not authorised hemp cultivation pilots. Cultivation would attract the same trafficking-level penalties applied to high-THC cannabis.

Products that are legal in other countries remain prohibited in Tunisia.

Penalties for Violations

Penalties under Loi 52 (as amended) are significant:

• Personal consumption or possession for personal use (Article 4): 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 TND. Since the 2017 reform, judges may apply discretion (suspended sentence, probation or fine) for first-time offenders in appropriate cases, but a prison sentence remains possible even for small personal amounts. Outcomes are unpredictable; do not assume leniency.
• Cultivation, possession or related acts with intent to traffic (Article 5): 6 to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 TND.
• Import, export or smuggling for trafficking: 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Foreign nationals convicted under the law are subject to expulsion after serving the sentence and a re-entry ban (10 years for a délit; life for a crime). Enforcement is active. Airport and border controls screen for cannabis and CBD products.

Practical Reality for Travellers and Residents

Bringing cannabis, CBD products or any related material into Tunisia — even if legal or prescribed elsewhere — carries a high risk of seizure, arrest, prosecution and possible imprisonment. There is no reliable medical exception for travellers. A single joint can trigger criminal proceedings.

The 2017 reform introduced limited judicial discretion for personal-use cases, but it did not decriminalise possession or create a safe harbour. Informal availability (zatla culture) does not equal legality. Tunisia has not introduced a licensed medical or industrial cannabis framework. Further reform proposals have been discussed (including in parliamentary committees in 2026), but Loi 52 remains the operative text.

Comparison with Neighbouring Countries (2026 Snapshot)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is weed legal in Tunisia in 2026?

No. Cannabis (zatla) is illegal for recreational use under Loi 52 of 1992. There is no broad public medical programme. Possession remains a criminal offence.

Is CBD legal in Tunisia?

No. CBD is not distinguished from other cannabis products and is treated as prohibited. There is no THC threshold or consumer exemption. Imports are seized.

Can I grow industrial hemp in Tunisia?

No. There is no dedicated industrial-hemp regime. Cultivation of Cannabis sativa is prohibited regardless of THC content and can attract trafficking-level penalties (6–10 years).

What are the penalties for possession?

Personal possession/use carries 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 1,000–3,000 TND. Since 2017 judges have discretion to apply alternatives for first-time offenders in appropriate cases, but a prison sentence remains possible. Trafficking-related offences carry 6–20 years. Foreign nationals face expulsion and re-entry bans after serving sentences.

Do foreign medical prescriptions work?

No. Foreign prescriptions for cannabis or CBD products are not recognised.

Conclusion and Outlook for 2026–2027

As of September 2026 Tunisia continues to enforce a comprehensive prohibition on cannabis, THC, CBD and hemp under Loi n° 92-52 of 1992, as amended by Loi organique 2017-39. There is no broad public medical cannabis programme, no CBD consumer market and no industrial-hemp framework. The 2017 reform restored limited judicial discretion for personal-use offences, allowing alternatives to immediate imprisonment in some first-time cases, but possession remains criminal and outcomes are unpredictable. Trafficking and cultivation attract heavy penalties. Enforcement is active. Further reform proposals have been under parliamentary examination, but no broad medical or recreational legalisation has been enacted. Travellers and residents should treat any involvement with cannabis or CBD as high-risk.

Anyone considering travel, research, investment or personal use involving cannabis-related products should obtain advice from a qualified Tunisian lawyer. Always verify the latest position with official authorities and consult current travel advisories before any travel. Leave all cannabis and CBD products at home.

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 Tunisia.