About 20% of young adults in Burkina Faso have tried cannabis. This is surprising since it’s completely illegal there.
This West African country has very strict anti-drug laws. Still, cannabis use and illegal trade are common.
Is Cannabis Legal in Burkina Faso? Legal Status in 2025
No, cannabis is not legal in Burkina Faso for any purpose. In 2025, cannabis will be fully banned. This affects fun use, medical use, and industrial growth. The government has a strict rule, there is no tolerance for cannabis at all.
This means that even having a small amount can result in big penalties, like fines or time in jail. Burkina Faso rejects all cannabis, including CBD. In contrast, Ghana permits hemp farming.
1. Recreational Use
Cannabis for fun is strictly prohibited. If someone is caught with cannabis, they can be arrested. It is also uncommon to see people using cannabis in public because the police keep a close watch.
2. Medicinal Use
Burkina Faso prohibits the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The government thinks cannabis is dangerous and not useful for medicine. So, people cannot use it for treatments.
3. Industrial Use
Growing cannabis for industrial reasons, like making clothing or textiles, is also not allowed. While countries like Ghana grow hemp for industrial use, Burkina Faso has a total ban on cannabis cultivation.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Burkina Faso
1. Recreational Drug Use
Around 1 in 5 young adults in Burkina Faso have tried cannabis. They often buy low-quality cannabis from the black market for €1–€5 per gram. Burkina Faso grows most of its cannabis for export. It goes primarily to Nigeria, which has a higher demand.
2. Mental Health Concerns
The black market sells unregulated cannabis, which makes it risky. Contamination can occur and cause addiction. Burkina Faso lacks public health programs for drug issues. The government prioritizes punishing those who break the laws instead.
3. Industrial Cannabis Use
Even though cannabis farming is illegal, it still happens in rural areas. Farmers grow cannabis in secret. Vendors sell most of this cannabis to other countries, and people do not use it in Burkina Faso.
Cannabis cultivation in Burkina Faso
Cannabis cultivation is common in some regions, especially around Ouagadougou, even though it’s illegal.
The country’s warm, tropical climate makes it perfect for growing cannabis. But traffickers often smuggle the crops into neighboring countries like Nigeria and Mali.
Cannabis Law in Burkina Faso and Control
1. How Burkina Faso Enforces Cannabis Laws
The police work hard to stop people from using cannabis in public and to prevent the illegal trade. Corruption is an issue. Sometimes, foreigners caught with cannabis can escape arrest. They do this by paying bribes as high as €100.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
Even with strict laws, you can still buy cannabis in places like Ouagadougou. Dealers use apps like Telegram to sell weed without attracting attention. Some fake “dispensaries,” such as The Greenspot, operate outside the law.
Cannabis Penalties in Burkina Faso
| Offense | Penalty |
| Personal Use | First-time offenders can face up to 5 years in jail or fines up to XOF 500,000 (€750). |
| Trafficking | People caught trafficking cannabis can face 5–10 years in prison, depending on how much they are caught with. |
| Growing | Growing cannabis is also illegal. Even if someone is growing a small amount, they could face 1–8 years in jail. |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Burkina Faso
It is unlikely that the laws will change anytime soon. The government sees cannabis as a danger and not something that could help the economy.
Nearby countries like Ghana have decriminalized personal use of cannabis. Nigeria is also looking into medical cannabis. So, Burkina Faso might need to rethink its position.
Burkina Faso has some of the strictest cannabis laws in West Africa. The illegal trade still happens, but getting caught has serious consequences. If you are visiting or living in Burkina Faso, it is best to avoid cannabis entirely.
