Around 6.5 million people in Bangladesh use drugs, and the most common one is cannabis. In Bangladesh, people call it “ganja.” Even though it’s against the law, cannabis has been part of the country’s culture and history for a long time.
Is Cannabis Legal in Bangladesh? Current Legal Status in 2025
No, cannabis is illegal in Bangladesh for recreational, medical, and industrial purposes. This includes using it for fun, as medicine, or for making products. The law called the Narcotics Control Act of 1990 says cannabis is very dangerous:
1. Recreational Use
Recreational cannabis is strictly illegal. The law prohibits the possession, consumption, or sharing of cannabis, even in small amounts. Despite this, cultural tolerance exists. For example, during the annual Lalon Shah festival in Kushtia, attendees openly smoke cannabis as part of spiritual traditions.
2. Medicinal Use
Medical cannabis is not recognized in Bangladesh. The government has rejected proposals to legalize it. A 2021 study highlighted cannabis’s historical role in folk medicine for treating pain and respiratory issues, but no legal pathways exist today.
3. Industrial Use
Industrial hemp is illegal. Bangladesh lacks regulations for hemp farming, despite its potential for textiles and biofuel. This contrasts with Thailand, which legalized hemp in 2022 to boost agriculture.
While global trends shift toward legalization, Bangladesh maintains a strict prohibition, making it one of Asia’s most restrictive nations alongside Singapore and Brunei.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Bangladesh
1. Recreational Drug Use
Cannabis is widely consumed, with 44% of Dhaka University students reporting use. Its low cost (as little as $0.15 per gram) and lax enforcement in rural areas contribute to its popularity.
2. Mental Health Concerns
Illicit cannabis use raises public health risks. With no regulated products, users face contaminated supplies. Mental health resources are scarce, and addiction treatment programs are underfunded.
3. Industrial Cannabis Use
Illegal cultivation persists in regions like Naogaon and Cox’s Bazaar, driven by demand from neighboring countries like Myanmar. However, farmers risk imprisonment or fines.
H2: Cannabis Cultivation in Bangladesh
Cannabis is grown illegally in northwestern districts (Naogaon, Rajshahi) and southeastern hills (Bandarban, Rangamati). The UN reported increased cultivation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, though the exact figures are unknown. Historically, British colonists taxed cannabis farms in Naogaon, but today, growers operate underground.
H2: Cannabis Law in Bangladesh and Control
1. How Bangladesh Enforces Cannabis Laws
Police prioritize large-scale traffickers over individual users. However, the Narcotics Control Act allows the death penalty for possession of over 2 kg. Corruption enables bribes, especially for tourists.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
A thriving black market exists, with Dhaka’s Gulshan and Dhanmondi areas serving as hubs. Traffickers exploit weak border controls near Myanmar, contributing to regional drug trade.
H2: Cannabis Penalties in Bangladesh
| Offense | Penalty |
| Personal Use | Up to 10 years’ imprisonment for under 2kg. |
| Trafficking | Life imprisonment or death. |
| Growing | Up to 20 years imprisonment. |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Bangladesh
Bangladesh shows no signs of legalizing cannabis. The government tightened laws in 2018, introducing death penalties for drug crimes.
Bangladesh’s cannabis laws are among the world’s strictest, with no exceptions for medical or industrial use. While cultural acceptance and a booming black market persist, legalization is unlikely shortly. For now, visitors and residents should avoid cannabis to prevent severe penalties.
