Cannabis — Bangladesh

Cannabis is illegal in Bangladesh, and the form matters enormously. Herbal cannabis (ganja) is a Class B narcotic: possessing up to 5 kg carries six months to five years in prison plus a fine, with a ceiling of ten years at the highest weight. Smoking or otherwise using it is a separate, lighter offence of three months to two years. Hashish, charas and cannabis oil are Class A alongside heroin and cocaine, where the top band carries death or life imprisonment. The law also reaches the people around the drugs: knowingly letting your home, land, business, vehicle or even your money be used for a drug offence carries up to five years, and if a drug is consumed - or drug-making equipment is found - in any place you possess or control, you are deemed to have broken the Act unless you prove otherwise.

Herbal cannabis - up to 5 kg: 6 months to 5 years plus a fine; 5-15 kg: 5 to 7 years; over 15 kg: 7 to 10 years. Growing up to 50 plants: 1 to 5 years. Using cannabis: 3 months to 2 years plus a fine. Hashish, charas and cannabis oil are Class A, where the highest band carries death or life imprisonment. A second offence draws double the maximum; a third carries a minimum of 20 years. Knowingly allowing a house, land, business premises, vehicle, machinery, equipment, money or property you own or possess to be used for a drug offence: up to 5 years plus a fine (s. 38). Equipment, wash or materials usable for producing narcotics found with an unlicensed person or in any place he possesses: 2 to 10 years plus a fine (s. 37). Instigating, aiding, conspiring in or attempting a drug offence carries the same penalty as the offence itself, whether or not the offence is actually committed (s. 41). Obstructing or failing to cooperate with a narcotics enforcement officer is treated as assisting the offence: 2 to 10 years plus a fine (s. 42(2)).

Verified Sep 16, 2026