Cannabis in Tanzania

Cannabis in Tanzania is illegal but remains the most common drug and it is produced for different usage, such as domestic usage and exporting. It is locally known as bangi. Tanzania is one among multiple countries in Africa that produce cannabis in large quantities.^[1]

Cultivation

Cannabis in Tanzania is cultivated in coastal zone of Tanga, northern zone of Arusha, Manyara and Kilimanjaro, southern highland of Iringa and Lake Zone of Shinyanga and Mara^[2] Cannabis is mainly produced in rural areas. It takes four to five month for cannabis to mature. Cannabis is also imported from outside the country and the main entry is in the airport of Dar es salaam^{[citation needed]}Template:Citation needed, Kilimanjaro International airport (KIA) and the seaport of Dar es salaam and Zanzibar and small airports like Tanga and Mwanza. A 2023 chemical profiling study reported that over 10,219 kilograms of cannabis were seized in Tanzania between 2011–2016, confirming its role as a major producer in East Africa.^[3]

Usage

Cannabis is used for medicine in rural areas, used to cure ailment like ear-ache, fever and malaria. Cannabis leaves are used to make and prepare food in rural areas.^[4]

Enforcement

The government destroyed some of the plantations and punished people who were cultivating it. In Tanzania selling, possessing and cultivating cannabis is an offense^[5] People who cultivate cannabis illegally claim that it is more profitable than other crops. People who are found with cannabis or using cannabis are caught and are arrested for five years with additional penalties.

Contemporary Developments

Recent analysis has noted the continued role of cannabis in Tanzania's rural economy and traditional practices, despite legal prohibition. A 2023 study identified regional variations in the chemical composition of seized cannabis, with the Pwani region exhibiting the highest Δ9-THC concentration at 13.45%.^[6] Reports also describe informal use of cannabis in traditional medicine and rural food preparation, particularly in areas where access to formal healthcare remains limited.^[7]

See also

• Cannabis by country
• Cannabis sativa