Did you know that 21% of Cameroon’s population has tried a “hard drug,” and cannabis makes up 60% of the country’s drug demand? Cannabis is a big part of Cameroonian culture.
It grows well in rural areas, even with strict laws. In these places, enforcement is often weak. But in 2025, the question remains, Is cannabis legal in Cameroon?
Is Cannabis Legal in Cameroon? Legal Status in 2025
No, cannabis is illegal in Cameroon for recreational, medical, and industrial use. The laws in the country ban growing, selling, or having cannabis. But enforcement varies. In rural areas, farming cannabis is common.
1. Recreational Use
Recreational cannabis is illegal, yet its use is prevalent. Many locals smoke “manga” (slang for cannabis) or mix it into food, despite the risks of fines or jail. Police rarely target small-scale users, focusing instead on traffickers.
2. Medicinal Use
Medical cannabis is illegal now, but it has been part of traditional medicine for centuries. For example, people used crushed cannabis leaves to ease labor pains. Cameroon tried to legalize medical cannabis in 2001 and 2019 but failed both times.
3. Industrial Use
Industrial hemp is illegal, but farmers in northern Cameroon grow cannabis as a cash crop. Poor soil and low profits from crops like cotton make cannabis a survival choice.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in Cameroon
1. Recreational Drug Use
Cannabis is easy to buy in markets, with prices as low as $5 per gram. Young adults in cities like Douala and Yaoundé use it for socializing. In contrast, rural communities depend on it for income.
2. Mental Health Concerns
Low-quality cannabis mixed with unknown substances has caused health issues.
3. Economic Impact
Cannabis farming supports many families, but profits go untaxed. A 2019 project to grow medical cannabis failed. It lost $300,000 in foreign investments. This setback hurt trust in legal reforms.
Cannabis Cultivation in Cameroon
Cannabis thrives in the semi-arid north of Cameroon due to the favorable climate. Farmers plant it with food crops. They face raids, but penalties for small plots are rare. Unlike Ghana, which allows regulated hemp farming, Cameroon’s laws offer no exceptions.
Cannabis Law in Cameroon and Control
1. How Cameroon Enforces Cannabis Laws
Police focus on large traffickers, not users. Tourists might pay bribes of $20–$50 if caught, while locals risk jail.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
Cameroon’s illegal market is worth millions. Traffickers smuggle cannabis to Europe and face 10–20 years in prison if caught.
H2: Cannabis Penalties in Cameroon
| Offense | Penalty |
| Personal Use | 1 month to 5 years in jail or fines of $46–$2,300 (CFA 25,000–1,250,000). |
| Trafficking | 10–20 years in prison and fines up to $2,300 (CFA 1,250,000). |
| Growing | Up to 20 years in jail for large-scale farming. Small growers often avoid punishment. |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in Cameroon
Cameroon’s government tried to legalize medical cannabis three times: in 2001, 2003, and 2019. Each time, they faced problems like scams or a lack of funding.
Countries like Ghana and South Africa are easing laws. Activists hope for change, but they do not expect any reforms soon.
Cannabis in Cameroon tells a tale of contradictions. It’s illegal, yet many people use it. People face punishment, but often it goes unnoticed.
Ghana is exploring regulated hemp farming, but Cameroon is stuck. It faces a clash between tradition and strict laws. For now, using or selling cannabis here is a gamble.
Compare Cameroon’s laws with Nigeria, Ghana, Chad, and Gabon to see how West Africa handles cannabis!
