Is Marijuana Legal in Tunisia?

Marijuana is illegal in Tunisia for recreational and medical purposes.

The North African country has harsh cannabis laws and prison terms for drug use, even for first-time offenders. You should not risk being caught with cannabis in Tunisia and may even want to refrain from marijuana use before visiting the country.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Tunisia

There is no legally recognized medical marijuana program in Tunisia.

Although human rights groups have pointed out the extremities of Tunisia’s drug laws, and there have been discussions of reform, there does not appear to be a significant likelihood of a policy change occurring anytime soon.

Although many governments are starting to acknowledge that cannabis can play a vital role in leading a healthy lifestyle, this has not yet been the case in Tunisia.

The nation currently has some of the toughest cannabis laws in Africa, and nearly all drug offenses can lead to lengthy prison sentences.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Tunisia

The most important thing for you to know about cannabis in Tunisia is that the strict penalties for drug use and harsh cannabis laws nullify any potential benefits you could receive from cannabis use.

To understand how seriously Tunisian law enforcement officials take cannabis use, you need to understand the country’s drug laws and additional context.

“Law 52” Has Created Incredibly Strict Penalties

Colloquially known as “Law 52,” the 1992 Narcotics Act — Act 92-52, established under the rule of former Tunisian president Ben Ali — laid out incredibly punitive penalties for using illegal drugs.

First-time offenders were met with a minimum sentence of one year in prison, plus costly fees. Repeat offenders received prison sentences of at least five years.

In some cases, penalties could be even worse. One notable case involves three young men who were initially sentenced to 30 years in prison for smoking cannabis in a public place.

Their sentences were later significantly reduced, and human rights groups made sure to share this story with the world.

The case of the three young men is not an entirely victorious story, however. While their case had an outcome some might consider a comparatively happy ending, many others do not receive leniency with their sentences.

The Human Rights Watch claims that over a quarter of the prison population consists of individuals sentenced for drug-related offenses, most related to cannabis use.

In other words, legal cannabis has more significant hurdles in Tunisia than in many other countries because a new law establishing a marijuana industry would go entirely against the grain of the nation’s legal framework.

Additional Punitive Treatment for Cannabis Users

The treatment suspected cannabis users receive by some police officers is another indication of the outdated way the Tunisian government views cannabis. One particularly extreme measure comes in the form of forced urinalysis drug tests.

Even if you do not have cannabis in your possession, police officers can force suspected cannabis users to take a urine test to determine past use.

That is just one example of why you would not only want to avoid bringing any cannabis with you to Tunisia, but you may also want to consider taking an extended break from cannabis use prior to your trip so that it is out of your system.

Can You Grow Cannabis In Tunisia?

No, you cannot cultivate cannabis plants in Tunisia, as drug use and possession are treated seriously by police officers.

The Bottom Line

Even in nations with the most restrictive cannabis laws and most extreme prison sentences, advocates fight for change and reform. It is not impossible that conditions could one day change in Tunisia, allowing for legal medical or recreational marijuana.

Right now, however, it appears highly unlikely that Tunisian officials will work on implementing cannabis law changes anytime soon.