Is Marijuana Legal in Sudan?

Marijuana is illegal in Sudan for both recreational use and medical purposes. While some African countries have made efforts in recent years to legalize cannabis for medical use, such as South Africa, which has also legalized private recreational use, such efforts have not been made in Sudan.

If medical marijuana programs prove successful in other African nations, it is possible that the Sudanese government could develop its own medical cannabis industry. Current military conflict, civil unrest, and further turmoil, however, make it unlikely that the nation will implement medical cannabis anytime in the near future.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Sudan

There are a variety of medical benefits related to cannabis use, particularly for those with chronic pain,cancer, or other serious illnesses. With this knowledge, some African countries have legalized medical cannabis, while other nations appear to be considering doing so. Still, we cannot assume legalization is an eventuality in any country, especially in nations without significant financial resources.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Sudan

Because cannabis is entirely illegal in Sudan, there is not a great deal of information that you need to know. Put simply, if you plan on consuming or buying cannabis in Sudan, you should think again.

That said, the history and popularity of cannabis in Sudan make a strong argument for why the Sudanese government could consider legalizing medical marijuana in the future, even if unrest and a lack of resources make it highly unlikely that the Sudanese government will do so anytime soon.

Cannabis Is Popular in Sudan

Despite its illegality, cannabis use is prevalent in Sudan, particularly among young people and university students. Due to a lack of comprehensive information, specific rates of usage are not entirely clear, but marijuana, alongside alcohol, is one of the more commonly used drugs in the country.

A possible reason for this could be the fact that cannabis is grown as an illegal cash crop in the country, meaning that the availability of cannabis is far from being sparse. The drug trade, however, does not have rules or regulations, meaning that even though many individuals may be using cannabis for medical purposes, there are inherent risks that would be much less common in a regulated cannabis industry.

Sudan Is Unlikely to Implement Medical Cannabis

The Sudanese government has changed hands several times in recent years, and genocide in the Darfur region has resulted in the death of over 400,000 people, with the displacement of millions more. If Sudan develops more stability in the upcoming years, it is possible that the government could be in a place to work on legalizing medical cannabis. Right now, however, the timeline for stability is unclear.

There are also questions as to who would be able to benefit from a medical cannabis industry in the nation. While Sudan began implementing state-sponsored health insurance in the late 1990s, universal coverage is far from being a reality.

Still, there is some hope. In 2020, for example, the Sudanese government modified its ban on alcohol use to no longer apply to non-Muslim citizens. Alcohol use is still illegal for practicing Muslims and cannot be consumed in the company of Muslims. Still, the point remains that the government has shown a willingness to modify its laws concerning certain substances.

Can You Grow Cannabis In Sudan?

No, you cannot grow cannabis in Sudan. Although cannabis is a commonly grown cash crop in the country, it is illegal.

The Bottom Line

With civil war and economic turmoil, the Sudanese government may be unable to implement a medical marijuana program anytime soon. Right now, recreational and medical cannabis are highly illegal in Sudan. We can, however, look to the government’s shifting mindset towards alcohol, plus cannabis legalization in African countries like South Africa, as possible reasons to be hopeful that some form of legal cannabis use could someday be a reality in Sudan.