Egypt ranks 25th in the world for cannabis use. About 10% of its population uses it regularly. Cannabis has a long history in this North African nation, but it is still a hot topic. Egypt’s connection to cannabis has evolved. It spans from ancient healing methods to today’s legal disputes. This relationship is as intricate as the pyramids.
Is Cannabis Legal in Egypt? Legal Status in 2025
No. Both recreational and medical cannabis are illegal in Egypt as of 2025. The country has had strict anti-drug laws since 1925. This is due to international treaties like the Opium Convention.
Domestic laws, such as Law 182 of 1989, also reinforce these rules. Cannabis use is common, especially in private places and traditional cafés. In these spots, enforcement is usually relaxed.
1. Recreational Use
Recreational cannabis is strictly prohibited, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. Yet, enforcement is inconsistent. In cities such as Cairo and Hurghada, people smoke hashish (well-known in Afghanistan) in plain view at cafes. This shows a cultural acceptance that goes against legal restrictions.
2. Medicinal Use
Medical cannabis is illegal, even though it was used in ancient Egyptian medicine, like in the Ebers Papyrus. Proposals to legalize medical marijuana, such as MP John Talaat’s 2018 draft, have stalled. This leaves patients without legal options.
3. Industrial Use
Industrial hemp (non-psychoactive cannabis) is not permitted. Cannabis was once grown for making rope and textiles.
Now, laws stop its cultivation. Egypt’s focus remains on eradicating illegal crops rather than promoting industrial hemp.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Egypt
1. Recreational Drug Use
Cannabis is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture. The gozah (traditional water pipe) and edibles like manzul (hashish candy) are popular. In 2019, traders exchanged about 240 tons of cannabis. This trade boosted a strong underground market.
2. Mental Health Concerns
While data are scarce, the stigma around cannabis persists. Users feel left out, and critics argue that banning things leads to more crime rather than less use.
3. Industrial Cannabis Use
No legal framework exists for industrial hemp. Rope-making used to be a common practice, but today, campaigns aim to eliminate farms in the Sinai Peninsula.
Cannabis Cultivation in Egypt
Cannabis is grown year-round in the Sinai Peninsula and Upper Egypt. In 1994, the government destroyed 7 million cannabis plants in Sinai.
However, cultivation continues because of high demand and economic struggles. Farmers often depend on this illegal trade for income. They face risks like raids and imprisonment.
Cannabis Law in Egypt and Control
1. How Egypt Enforces Cannabis Laws
- Minor Possession: Often ignored, especially in urban cafés.
- Trafficking: Strictly punished. The death penalty applies to large-scale smuggling.
- Cultivation: Police regularly raid farms, but corruption and remote terrain hinder efforts.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
Egypt’s illegal cannabis trade is worth millions of dollars annually. Cafes in cities like Cairo and Hurghada operate under informal “understandings” with authorities, while smugglers exploit porous borders.
Cannabis Penalties in Egypt
| Offense | Penalty |
| Personal Use | First-time offenders face 1–3 years in jail and fines; repeat offenders get harsher penalties and treatment. |
| Trafficking | Death penalty for large-scale trafficking. Prison sentences up to 25 years for smaller operations. |
| Growing | Imprisonment (3+ years) and destruction of crops. |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Egypt
Egypt’s cannabis laws face growing scrutiny. Advocates argue decriminalization could reduce crime and boost the economy, but religious and political opposition remains strong. While global trends lean toward legalization, Egypt shows no signs of reform as of 2025. MP John Talaat’s 2018 proposal to replace jail time with therapy has gained little traction.
