Niger

Medical cannabis is prohibited in Niger. Severe criminal penalties may apply for possession, use, or trafficking.

Niger strictly prohibits cannabis under Ordinance No. 99-42 on Drug Control, which criminalizes the production, trafficking, and consumption of narcotic substances. As a Sahelian nation and transit route for drug trafficking between West and North Africa, Niger cooperates with regional anti-narcotics efforts through ECOWAS and the African Union.

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Regulator

Nigerien National Police

Key Legislation

Ordinance No. 99-42 on Drug Control

Year Legalized

N/A

Program Size

N/A — Prohibited

Key Facts

Cannabis is fully illegal under Ordinance No. 99-42 (1999), with no provisions for medical, scientific, or recreational use
Penalties for cannabis possession range from 2 to 10 years imprisonment, with trafficking offenses carrying sentences of 10 to 20 years and substantial fines
Niger serves as a transit corridor for cannabis resin (hashish) trafficked from Morocco through the Sahel toward Libya and other North African destinations
The Office Central des Stupefiants (Central Narcotics Office) coordinates national drug enforcement, often with support from international partners including UNODC
Cannabis is locally known as 'banga' and despite prohibition, small-scale cultivation and use persist in southern agricultural regions near the Nigerian border

Key Legislation

Ordinance No. 99-42 on Drug Control (Ordonnance No. 99-42 relative au controle des drogues, 1999)

Regulatory Body

Nigerien National Police (Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire) and the Ministry of Public Health

Country Info

ISO Code

Region

Africa

Tier

Tier 4 — Prohibited

Status

Cannabis — Prohibited

Sources

UNODC — Niger Country Profile

Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Cannabis regulations change frequently. Always verify with official sources and local legal counsel before making compliance decisions.