Is bhang (weed) legal in Kenya? Drug laws and penalties
National Police Service Act); NACADA · sources read 4 Oct 2026
No, bhang (cannabis) is not legal in Kenya. Having it is an offence, and even a small amount for your own use can mean up to 5 years in jail or a fine of up to KSh 100,000.
- Where
- This is the law, not an application. Read the Act on Kenya Law; cases are heard in court.
Steps
- Don't carry bhang. Even if the court accepts it was only for your own use, the penalty is up to 5 years in jail or a fine of up to KSh 100,000.
- If you take a controlled medicine, keep your doctor's prescription with it.
- If you are charged, the court can send you to a treatment or rehabilitation programme of at least six months.
Watch out
- Other drugs are far more serious: under 1 gram of a drug other than cannabis means a fine of at least KSh 5 million or at least 5 years in jail.
- Trafficking 1 to 100 grams carries a fine of at least KSh 30 million or 30 years in jail.
- Growing a prohibited plant can mean up to 20 years in jail, or a fine of KSh 250,000 or three times the plant's market value.
Who this covers
- Everyone in Kenya: having any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance is an offence.
- Exception: you may have a controlled medicine prescribed for you by a medical practitioner.
- Exception: people holding a licence issued under the Act.
Official sources (1)
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, No. 4 of 1994 (Cap. 245) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026