KEY TAKEAWAYS
✓ The UAE officially legalised industrial hemp on 1 January 2026 via Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025.
✓ Hemp is defined as Cannabis Sativa plants with a total THC concentration of 0.3% or less on a dry-weight basis.
✓ Permitted uses include industrial hemp for textiles, construction, packaging, and licensed medical products only.
✓ Prohibited uses include hemp in food, dietary supplements, veterinary products, smoking products, and most cosmetics.
✓ Personal, recreational, or unauthorised use remains strictly illegal and carries severe criminal penalties.
✓ Businesses require multiple licences from the Ministry of Climate Change, local authorities, and the National Anti-Narcotics Authority (NANA).
✓ Criminal penalties for violations start at 3 months imprisonment and AED 100,000 in fines.
✓ Administrative fines can reach AED 1,000,000 (and AED 2,000,000 for repeat violations).
✓ Each UAE emirate has the authority to add restrictions beyond the federal framework.
✓ The law applies to all activities within UAE territory, including free zones.
Introduction: Why Hemp Laws in the UAE Matter Right Now
If you have been searching for clear, accurate information on hemp laws in the UAE, you are not alone. Since the UAE government issued Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025, which came into force on 1 January 2026, residents, entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals across the country have been trying to understand what this landmark legislation actually means. What is now legal? What is still prohibited? What happens if you get it wrong?
This guide answers all of those questions in plain, accurate language. It is the most comprehensive resource on UAE hemp law currently available. Whether you are a business owner exploring opportunities in the industrial hemp sector, a health-conscious resident curious about what products are accessible to you, an expatriate professional wondering how this law affects your daily life, or a global investor assessing the UAE hemp market, this article gives you the complete picture.
A word upfront about what this article covers and what it does not. The 2026 UAE hemp law is specifically about industrial hemp, Cannabis Sativa plants with a total THC concentration of 0.3% or less. It is not a cannabis legalisation law. Recreational cannabis remains illegal in the UAE. This article will be clear about those boundaries throughout because confusion between the two is a common and potentially serious mistake.
Section 1: What is Hemp, and Why Does the Definition Matter in UAE Law?
1.1 Hemp vs Cannabis vs Marijuana: The Legal Distinction
In everyday language, people often use the words hemp, cannabis, and marijuana interchangeably. Under UAE law, this imprecision is dangerous. The new decree draws a precise legal boundary, and understanding it is the starting point for everything else.
| Term | Legal Meaning in UAE |
| Industrial Hemp | Cannabis Sativa plant (or any part thereof) where total THC concentration in flowering heads and leaves does not exceed 0.3% on a dry-weight basis. Legal under Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 with licensing. |
| Cannabis | The flowering or fruiting tops of the Cannabis plant from which the resinous substance (cannabis resin) has not been extracted. Subject to UAE narcotics law. |
| Marijuana / Recreational Cannabis | Any cannabis product used for personal or recreational purposes. Strictly prohibited in the UAE regardless of THC level. Criminal penalties apply. |
| CBD (Cannabidiol) | A compound derived from hemp. Status depends heavily on THC content and intended use. Consumer CBD supplements are prohibited. CBD in licensed medical products may be permitted. |
| Hemp Seed Oil | Oil derived from pressing hemp seeds. Contains no THC or CBD. Has been permitted for use in cosmetics in the UAE since at least 2019, subject to documentation requirements. |
| THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) | The psychoactive compound in cannabis. The critical threshold in UAE law is 0.3% total THC on a dry-weight basis. Above this threshold, the substance falls under narcotics law. |
The 0.3% THC threshold is not arbitrary; it is the international standard adopted by many hemp-progressive jurisdictions, including the United States, the European Union, and Switzerland. By anchoring the UAE definition to this threshold, the legislation aligns the country with global industrial hemp norms while maintaining a bright legal line between industrial and recreational use.
Important technical note: When the law specifies 0.3% THC, it is not referring simply to delta-9 THC (the most commonly tested form). The decree states that the calculation of total THC must account for the potential conversion of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) into delta-9 THC. This is a stricter standard than some other jurisdictions use and means that the actual permissible range for raw hemp plants may be slightly lower than 0.3% delta-9 THC. This technical detail matters for cultivators, manufacturers, and importers who will need to meet the testing standards set in the executive regulations.
1.2 Why the Definition Matters for Residents and Businesses
For a UAE resident, the definition matters because it clarifies what you can and cannot legally possess or use. Hemp-derived products that are lawful in your home country, such as CBD oil, hemp protein supplements, and hemp gummies, are not automatically legal in the UAE. The lawfulness of any specific product depends on its THC level, its intended use, whether it falls into a prohibited category, and whether the business selling it holds the appropriate licences.
For a business, the definition is the foundation of your compliance framework. Operating in the hemp space without a precise understanding of where industrial hemp ends and narcotics begin is not just a business risk; it carries criminal liability.
Section 2: A Brief History: How Did the UAE Arrive at This Law?
2.1 The Pre-2026 Legal Landscape
To understand what has changed, it helps to understand what existed before. Prior to Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025, the UAE’s legal framework drew no meaningful distinction between industrial hemp and recreational cannabis. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, cannabis, in essentially all forms, was treated as a controlled substance.
The practical consequences for residents were severe. Even carrying a CBD product purchased legally in another country could result in arrest, detention, and criminal prosecution. Expatriate residents, who make up approximately 88% of the UAE’s population, faced the additional risk of deportation. Customs officers at UAE airports actively screened for cannabis-derived products.
There was one significant prior exception: hemp seed oil. In January 2019, Dubai Municipality confirmed that hemp seed oil, derived from pressing hemp seeds, and therefore containing no detectable THC or CBD, was legal for use in cosmetic products such as serums, lip balms, and facial oils. This acknowledgement reflected the fact that the extraction process for hemp seed oil is similar to olive or coconut oil and carries no narcotic properties. This narrow permission did not, however, extend to CBD oil or any other hemp-derived compound.
2.2 What Drove the Change?
The timing of Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 reflects a deliberate strategic shift. Several converging factors drove the UAE government’s decision to establish a regulated industrial hemp sector.
Economic diversification. The UAE’s Vision 2031 and broader economic planning goals prioritise moving beyond oil dependency. Industrial hemp represents an opportunity in sustainable manufacturing, medical products, and export-oriented production, all sectors that the UAE is actively cultivating.
Global market momentum. The global industrial hemp market has grown significantly in the past decade, with the US, EU, Canada, and many Asian economies establishing regulated frameworks. An economist at the International Cannabis Business Conference projected the global industrial hemp market could be worth as much as USD 456 billion if large industries fully integrated hemp into their supply chains. The UAE government has signalled its intent to be part of that market.
International best practice alignment. The official UAE government press release announcing the law explicitly stated it was designed to align industrial hemp activities with ‘international best practices.’ The 0.3% THC threshold, the licensing architecture, and the track-and-trace system all mirror frameworks established by leading hemp jurisdictions.
Medical sector opportunity. For the first time, the law permits hemp use in licensed medical products. This creates a pathway for pharmaceutical-grade hemp manufacturing in the UAE, a sector aligned with the country’s growing healthcare and medical tourism industries.
2.3 The Regulatory Timeline
| Executive regulations and Cabinet decisions are being issued | Development | Significance |
| January 2019 | Dubai Municipality confirms hemp seed oil is legal in cosmetics | First official acknowledgement of a hemp-derived product’s legality in UAE |
| 2021 | Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotics | Updated narcotics framework, cannabis still broadly prohibited |
| December 2025 | Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 issued and published | First dedicated industrial hemp legislation in UAE history |
| 1 January 2026 | Federal Decree-Law No. 24 enters into force | Law becomes operative, licensed activities now permitted |
| Ongoing 2026 | Executive regulations and Cabinet decisions being issued | Implementing details being finalised, watch for updates |
Section 3: Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025, A Plain-Language Breakdown
Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 on the Regulation of the Industrial and Medical Uses of Industrial Cannabis is the foundational document of the UAE’s hemp regulatory framework. Here is a thorough, accessible breakdown of what it says.
3.1 The Core Principle: A Tightly Controlled New Sector
The law’s overarching purpose is to establish industrial hemp as a new, tightly regulated economic sector, while maintaining the UAE’s absolute prohibition on personal and recreational cannabis use. These two objectives are not in tension; they are both clearly reflected in every part of the legislation.
The law creates licensed pathways for specific industrial and medical activities involving hemp. Outside those licensed pathways, hemp-related activities remain criminalised under the same legal framework that prohibits recreational cannabis. There is no middle ground.
3.2 Who the Law Applies To
The law applies to all industrial hemp-related activities conducted within the UAE, and this jurisdiction is explicitly stated to include free zones. This is a significant detail for businesses considering UAE free zone structures, being in a free zone does not create any exemption from the hemp licensing requirements. Every covered activity, cultivation, manufacturing, import, export, and trading, requires the appropriate licence regardless of where in the UAE it takes place.
3.3 Key Definitions in the Law
The law establishes precise definitions for all key terms. Understanding these definitions is essential because they determine how the law applies in practice. The most important definitions are:
- Industrial Hemp: Cannabis Sativa plant (and any part thereof, including the plant, flowers, seeds, and extracts), where total THC in flowering heads and leaves does not exceed 0.3% on a dry-weight basis. THCa-to-THC conversion is included in this calculation.
- Activity: One of the activities covered by Article 2 of the law, these are import/export of seeds, cultivation, manufacturing, trading, and medical use.
- Licensing Authority: The specific authority competent to issue a given type of licence, which varies by activity (see Section 4 below).
- Industrial Hemp Symbol: A mark placed on hemp products to identify their content. The symbol specifications are determined by the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
- Disposition: Defined broadly to include sale, purchase, distribution, marketing, and offering for sale, essentially any commercial transfer of hemp seeds, seedlings, or products.
3.4 What the Law Permits, The Authorised Activities
The law explicitly permits the following activities, subject to licensing:
| Permitted Activity | Licensing Authority | Key Conditions |
| Import and export of industrial hemp seeds | Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) + relevant local authority | Applicant must be a licensed agricultural company; seeds from approved varieties only; imported seeds used only in designated areas |
| Cultivation of industrial hemp | MoCCAE + relevant local authority + NANA security clearance | Fenced, monitored, isolated zones; THC testing throughout cycle; no cultivation in natural habitats or protected areas |
| Manufacturing of hemp products | Relevant local authority (post-MoIAT approval) | Quality systems required; separate facility zones; THC compliance mandatory; 5-year record keeping |
| Trading of hemp products | Relevant local authority | Licensed products only; labelling requirements; disposal to licensed parties only |
| Import and export of hemp products | Ministry of Foreign Trade + relevant local authority | Commercial registration required; THC certificate from accredited laboratory required; export requires importing country government approval |
| Use of hemp in medical products | Subject to Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024 on Medical Products | Hemp compounds or raw materials as inputs to licensed pharmaceutical products only; pharmaceutical-grade standards apply |
3.5 Industrial Sectors Where Hemp Is Permitted
The law and the official government press release identify the following industrial sectors where hemp use is authorised:
- Textiles, hemp fibre for fabric, clothing, and technical textiles
- Construction, hemp-derived materials such as hempcrete, hemp insulation, and hemp composites
- Paper and packaging, hemp-based paper products and packaging materials
- Medical products, hemp compounds or raw materials used in licensed pharmaceutical manufacturing
The law does not categorically prohibit other industrial uses, but any activity outside clearly covered categories would require legal advice and likely regulatory clarification before proceeding.
3.6 What the Law Prohibits, The Clear Boundaries
The prohibitions in the law are precise and comprehensive. These are not grey areas, they are explicit statutory bans:
Absolutely Prohibited (consumer and personal use):
- Food products containing industrial hemp
- Dietary supplements containing industrial hemp
- Veterinary products containing industrial hemp
- Smoking products containing industrial hemp (including vapes and hemp flower for smoking)
- Any other products designated by Cabinet decision in the future
Prohibited Cosmetics (with a narrow exception):
The import, manufacture, or use of cosmetic products containing industrial hemp is prohibited, with one exception: products containing oils extracted from industrial hemp seeds or stalks that are entirely free from THC and any compounds capable of producing a narcotic or psychoactive effect. Additional exceptions may be granted by Cabinet decision.
Categorically Prohibited regardless of licensing:
- Import and export of hemp seedlings (seeds are permitted; seedlings are not)
- Cultivation in natural habitats or protected areas
- Disposal of hemp seeds or seedlings to any party not licensed under this law
- Transport of seeds and seedlings without local authority approval
- Personal or recreational use of hemp or hemp products in any form
Section 4: The Licensing Framework, Who Issues What
One of the most important aspects of understanding UAE hemp law is recognising that there is no single licensing authority, it is a multi-layered system involving federal ministries, the National Anti-Narcotics Authority, and local (emirate-level) authorities. Different activities require different licences, and some activities require approvals from multiple bodies simultaneously.
4.1 The Key Regulatory Bodies
| Authority | Role in Hemp Regulation |
| Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) | Primary federal licensing authority for seed import/export and cultivation. Issues hemp cultivation licences at federal level. Receives reports of THC exceedances. |
| National Anti-Narcotics Authority (NANA) | Security oversight body. Issues security clearances required for cultivation activities. Monitors and inspects cultivation sites and licensed activities. Any hemp exceeding THC thresholds triggers NANA involvement. |
| Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) | Approving authority for manufacturing activities. Local authority cannot issue manufacturing licences without prior MoIAT approval. Sets and enforces industrial standards including accrediting testing laboratories. |
| Ministry of Foreign Trade | Issues export permits for hemp products. Works with local authorities on import permits. |
| Relevant Local Authority (emirate-level) | Each emirate has its own local authority covering health, agriculture, environment, industry, customs, and security matters. Local permits are required in addition to federal approvals for most activities. Each emirate can also add restrictions beyond the federal framework. |
| Emirates Drug Establishment | Established under Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2023, this body plays a role in the medical products regulatory pathway for hemp-containing medicines. |
4.2 Licence Requirements by Activity
Seed Import/Export Licence
To import or export industrial hemp seeds, a business must:
- Be a licensed agricultural company
- Obtain a licence from MoCCAE
- Fulfil permit requirements of the relevant local authority in each relevant emirate
- Use only seeds from approved industrial hemp varieties (the approved variety list is in the executive regulations)
- Commit to using imported seeds only in designated cultivation areas and licensed plots
- Submit a declaration not to dispose of seeds to unlicensed parties
- Submit an operational plan covering cultivation, storage, distribution, sampling, and disposal
Cultivation Licence
Cultivation of industrial hemp is prohibited without a licence. Licensing requirements include:
- Licence from MoCCAE
- Permit from the relevant local authority
- Security clearance from the NANA committee
- Designation of cultivation areas by local authorities, areas must be fenced, monitored, isolated from residential areas, and isolated from other agricultural areas
- Compliance with licensed quantities and production limits
- Periodic THC testing throughout the production cycle
- Mandatory reporting to MoCCAE, local authority, and NANA if THC exceeds 0.3%
- 5-year record keeping obligation
- Quarterly periodic reports to the licensing authority
Manufacturing Licence
- Licence from relevant local authority
- Prior approval from MoIAT
- Quality management systems in place
- Separate facility zones for hemp processing
- THC compliance testing
- 5-year record keeping
- No subcontracting without regulatory approval
Trading Licence
- Licence from relevant local authority
- Only authorised hemp products may be traded
- Full labelling requirements must be met (including Industrial Hemp Symbol)
- Disposal contracts must follow approved templates
- Records maintained for 5 years
Product Export Permit
- Issued by Ministry of Foreign Trade
- Applicant must hold a trading licence
- Commercial registration required
- Industrial licence required if applicant is an industrial establishment
- Approval from the competent government authority in the country of import
- Certificate from MoIAT-accredited laboratory confirming THC does not exceed 0.3%
4.3 The National Tracking System
One of the most distinctive features of the UAE hemp regulatory framework is the mandatory National Tracking System. The law requires the creation of a national electronic registry for all industrial hemp seeds, seedlings, and products, from the moment seeds are planted through cultivation, manufacturing, transport, and final sale or export.
This track-and-trace infrastructure, governed by Cabinet decision, is accessible to all relevant federal and local authorities. It means that every licensed actor in the hemp supply chain generates a data trail visible to regulators. This is not a passive records-keeping requirement, it is an active surveillance system designed to ensure that no hemp enters unauthorised channels.
For businesses, this means comprehensive record-keeping is not optional, it is a licensing condition and a legal obligation. Failing to maintain accurate records, or maintaining records for less than the required five years, is itself a violation subject to penalties.
Section 5: Penalties and Enforcement, What Happens If You Break the Law
The UAE hemp law sits at the intersection of two legal frameworks: the new industrial hemp framework and the pre-existing narcotics legislation. This layering means that the potential consequences of violations extend well beyond the penalties specified in Decree-Law No. 24 itself.
5.1 Administrative Penalties (Under the Hemp Law)
The enforcement framework for Decree-Law No. 24 includes the following administrative penalties:
| Administrative Penalty | Amount / Consequence |
| Warning | First-level administrative response for minor compliance issues |
| Fine (standard) | AED 10,000 to AED 1,000,000, applied to licensing violations, documentation failures, and other regulatory non-compliance |
| Fine (repeat violation) | Up to AED 2,000,000, applied where the same violation is committed after a prior finding |
| Licence suspension | Temporary suspension of hemp operating licence, business cannot operate until rectified |
| Licence revocation | Permanent cancellation of hemp operating licence, no ability to apply for reinstatement under simplified process |
5.2 Criminal Penalties (Under the Hemp Law)
Without prejudice to stricter penalties under other laws, Decree-Law No. 24 imposes criminal penalties, including both imprisonment and fines, for the following specific violations:
- Misusing industrial hemp in activities other than those authorised under the law
- Engaging in hemp-related activities without a licence
- Transporting hemp seeds or seedlings without the required approvals
- Failing to comply with approved contract templates for hemp seed or seedling disposal
- Disposing of hemp seeds, seedlings, or products to an unlicensed party
- Using industrial hemp in prohibited recreational or personal-use products
- Cultivating hemp outside approved zones or exceeding licensed quantities
- Providing false information to licensing authorities
Criminal minimum penalties: Imprisonment of not less than 3 months AND a fine of not less than AED 100,000 (approximately USD 27,225). These are minimums, courts may impose higher penalties, particularly where the violation overlaps with narcotics offences.
In addition to imprisonment and fines, the law mandates seizure and confiscation of industrial hemp seeds, seedlings, or products involved in violations.
5.3 The Narcotics Law Overlay, The More Severe Framework
This is where the stakes become substantially higher. When a violation under the hemp law also constitutes a violation of Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (the narcotics law), the narcotics law’s penalties apply, and they are significantly more severe.
| Offence Type | Minimum Penalty | Maximum / Additional |
| Personal use of scheduled substance (first offence) | 3 months imprisonment or fine from AED 20,000 | Court may substitute imprisonment with compulsory rehabilitation treatment |
| Personal use (repeat offence within 3 years) | Escalated, courts can impose 2+ years | Repeat offenders face progressively heavier sentences |
| Drug trafficking / promotion (serious forms) | 5 years imprisonment + AED 50,000 fine | Life imprisonment in the most severe trafficking cases |
| Managing a venue used for drug consumption | Significant prison term | Repeat offending can lead to life imprisonment |
| Foreigners found with drugs at UAE entry points | Monetary fine under Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2024 | Amount varies by substance type and weight; mandatory entry ban may apply |
| Foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences | After sentence completion | Mandatory deportation (with very limited judicial discretion to waive) |
5.4 The Zero-Tolerance Culture
Understanding UAE hemp law means understanding the broader enforcement culture. The UAE operates a zero-tolerance approach to narcotics violations that has no equivalent in most Western jurisdictions. Unlike some countries where prosecutorial discretion might result in charges being dropped for small amounts, the UAE system leaves little room for such outcomes.
Customs screening at UAE airports is thorough and actively targets cannabis-derived products. Travellers have been detained for carrying CBD creams, hemp supplements, and even clothing products that reference cannabis. Ignorance of the law has not historically been accepted as a defence. This cultural and enforcement context is as important as the legal text in understanding the real-world implications of hemp law in the UAE.
Section 6: The Role of Emirates, Federal Law and Local Variation
6.1 How Emirate-Level Authority Works
One of the most practically important aspects of Federal Decree-Law No. 24 is that while it establishes a national federal framework, it explicitly preserves each emirate’s authority to prohibit or restrict hemp activities within its jurisdiction.
Article quote from the law: “The Decree-Law grants each emirate the authority, within its jurisdiction and in line with its local regulations, to prohibit or restrict any industrial hemp-related activity. In such cases, penalties stipulated in laws pertaining to criminal offenses, narcotics control, and other relevant legislation shall apply.”
In practical terms, this means that obtaining a federal licence does not automatically entitle you to operate in every emirate. If Dubai, for example, imposes additional restrictions on hemp cultivation within its territory, a federal cultivation licence does not override that restriction.
6.2 What This Means in Practice
At the time of writing (March 2026), emirate-specific implementing regulations are still being developed. This is an area where the regulatory landscape will evolve in the months following the law’s entry into force. Businesses operating across multiple emirates, or planning to, should:
- Engage with local authorities in each relevant emirate before commencing operations
- Monitor emirate-level government publications for hemp-specific orders or restrictions
- Ensure that licensing applications are submitted to both federal and relevant local authorities as required
- Build emirate-specific compliance reviews into their regulatory planning process
6.3 Free Zones: Not an Exemption
A common misconception worth addressing directly: the law explicitly states that it applies to all industrial hemp activities within the UAE, including free zones. Dubai free zones, Abu Dhabi free zones, and every other special economic zone in the country are within scope. A hemp business established in a UAE free zone is not exempt from licensing requirements, THC limits, prohibited product categories, or any other provision of the law.
Free zones may, however, offer practical administrative advantages in terms of licensing procedures, trade processing, and business setup. Some UAE free zones are more likely to develop hemp-specific infrastructure and support than others. This is an area to watch as the implementing ecosystem develops.
Section 7: The Medical Hemp Pathway, What It Means and What It Does Not
7.1 A Historic First
For the first time in UAE history, Federal Decree-Law No. 24 permits the use of industrial hemp in medical products containing hemp compounds or raw materials derived from hemp. This is a genuinely significant development. Prior to this law, there was no legal pathway whatsoever for hemp in medical applications within the UAE.
This permission is not a free pass. Medical hemp products remain subject to Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024 on Medical Products, the Profession of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Establishments, meaning full pharmaceutical-grade regulatory standards apply. The hemp law does not create a parallel, lighter-touch medical hemp market; it integrates hemp into the existing rigorous medical products framework.
7.2 What Medical Hemp Products Are Permitted
The law permits hemp compounds or raw materials as inputs to licensed medical products. In practice, this creates a pathway for:
- Pharmaceutical products where CBD or other hemp cannabinoids are active ingredients, subject to full regulatory approval
- Hemp-based medical research and clinical trials, within the framework of the medical products law
- Import of approved hemp-derived medical products for dispensing through licensed pharmaceutical channels
The most commonly discussed potential product in this category is a CBD-based pharmaceutical, similar to medications that have been approved in other jurisdictions for specific conditions such as treatment-resistant epilepsy. However, as of March 2026, the specific products that will be made available through licensed UAE medical channels remain subject to the pharmaceutical approval process.
7.3 What Medical Hemp Does Not Include
This distinction is critical for residents. The medical hemp pathway does not mean:
- CBD oil or tinctures available over the counter or via online order
- Hemp supplement capsules available in pharmacies or health shops
- Self-prescribed hemp products for any wellness purpose
- Products marketed for general health, sleep, anxiety, or pain management without a licensed physician’s prescription through a licensed channel
7.4 The CBD Export Question
One of the most intriguing open questions in the UAE hemp framework is whether it will eventually support a CBD-for-export business model. The law permits hemp in licensed medical products, which theoretically includes CBD extraction for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The law does not explicitly ban hemp flower production, the primary source of cannabinoids.
However, several experts and analysts have noted that this question is not yet resolved. Hemp flowers, which are the primary source of CBD, are subject to the most intensive security and narcotics oversight under the law. Whether regulators will interpret flower cultivation as permissible for CBD extraction purposes, or restrict it given the narcotics sensitivity, will depend on the executive regulations and Cabinet decisions that are still being developed.
Bottom line: A CBD export business in the UAE is theoretically possible under the new framework but practically uncertain pending regulatory clarity. This is an area to monitor closely and seek specific legal advice on before making any business decisions.
Section 8: Practical Implications for UAE Residents
8.1 Can I Bring CBD Products Into the UAE?
This is the most frequently asked question from UAE residents and travellers. The direct answer, as of March 2026, is no, you cannot bring consumer CBD products into the UAE without risk of serious legal consequences.
CBD oil for personal use, CBD capsules, CBD-infused skincare products with significant hemp extract content, and any hemp product containing detectable THC are not permitted for personal import. Customs officers actively screen for these products. Travellers have been detained and prosecuted for carrying them, even in small quantities, even when purchased legally in their home countries.
The new hemp law did not change this situation for consumers. It created a licensing framework for industrial and medical hemp businesses, it did not liberalise the consumer market.
What about hemp seed oil in skincare?
Pure hemp seed oil cosmetics, containing oil derived from hemp seeds with no CBD and no THC, have been a different matter since Dubai Municipality’s 2019 guidance. Such products, properly labelled and documented as containing pure hemp seed oil (not hemp extract or CBD), have been legally sold in the UAE. The new law maintains a narrow exception for cosmetics made from oils extracted from hemp seeds or stalks that are entirely free from THC and psychoactive compounds. If you are buying or importing a skincare product, verify the ingredient list carefully. ‘Hemp seed oil’ and ‘hemp extract’ or ‘CBD’ are legally distinct in the UAE.
8.2 Can I Use Hemp Products for Health Purposes?
The short answer is: not through the channels most people in other countries use. There are no CBD wellness shops, hemp health stores, or online retailers shipping hemp supplements legally to UAE consumers. The hemp supplements market that exists in the UK, US, India, and elsewhere simply does not have a legal equivalent in the UAE yet.
If you have a specific medical condition for which hemp-derived pharmaceuticals have shown efficacy in clinical evidence (epilepsy being the most documented example), the pathway is through a licensed UAE physician and the pharmaceutical regulatory system, not through purchasing supplements independently.
8.3 What if I Already Have Hemp Products at Home?
If you are a UAE resident who currently holds hemp-derived consumer products, supplements, CBD oils, hemp edibles, purchased before the new law or imported from abroad, the legally safest course of action is to dispose of them properly rather than continue using them. The new law did not create any amnesty period for pre-existing prohibited products.
This is an area where professional legal advice is appropriate if you have any concern about your specific situation.
8.4 Hemp Products and Travel
Leaving the UAE with hemp products: If you are departing the UAE and have hemp products legally purchased elsewhere, UAE customs law governs your departure from UAE territory. Products that are prohibited under UAE law cannot be transported via UAE airports or ports even in transit to another destination. This applies to layovers as well, if you are transiting through Dubai International Airport with CBD products in your luggage, UAE law applies during your time in that airport.
Returning to the UAE from abroad: Many countries where UAE residents holiday or visit have legal consumer CBD markets. The fact that a product is legal in your destination country does not make it legal to bring back to the UAE. The risks of doing so, detention, criminal charges, deportation, are real and not proportionate to any perceived benefit.
Section 9: Practical Implications for Businesses
9.1 Is the UAE a Good Market for Hemp Business?
Potentially yes, but not in the way most hemp entrepreneurs think. The UAE’s hemp law deliberately favours sophisticated industrial operators with strong compliance capabilities. It is not a mass-market opportunity. Businesses that will thrive under this framework are those that can navigate complex multi-agency licensing, invest in compliant infrastructure, maintain rigorous tracking and documentation, and operate within tightly constrained product categories.
9.2 Business Opportunities Created by the Law
| Opportunity | Key Requirements to Pursue It |
| Hemp textiles manufacturing | Manufacturing licence from local authority + MoIAT approval; compliant facility; THC-tested raw materials; significant capital investment |
| Hemp construction materials | Manufacturing licence; quality management systems; compliance with UAE construction and materials standards; potential alignment with sustainable building initiatives |
| Hemp packaging and paper products | Manufacturing licence; quality systems; integration into existing packaging supply chains |
| Medical hemp pharmaceutical manufacturing | Full pharmaceutical licensing under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024; manufacturing standards at pharmaceutical grade; partnership with licensed pharmaceutical channels; highest complexity and cost |
| Industrial hemp seed import/export | MoCCAE seed import licence; licensed agricultural company status; approved variety list compliance; security clearances |
| Hemp cultivation (agricultural) | Multiple licences including federal, local, and NANA security clearance; designated zones only; ongoing monitoring and testing obligations; limited to designated agricultural areas |
| Hemp product trading/distribution | Local trading licence; licensed product sources only; labelling compliance; 5-year records |
9.3 What Businesses Should Do Now
If you are considering entering the UAE hemp market, here is a practical framework for how to proceed:
- Step 1, Legal advice first: Before doing anything else, engage a UAE-qualified legal advisor with experience in the hemp or pharmaceutical regulatory space. The multi-agency licensing architecture is complex, and the consequences of getting it wrong are severe. MIO & Partners and similar specialist firms have published detailed analysis of the framework, this kind of specialist guidance is essential.
- Step 2, Identify your specific activity: Be precise about which activity you want to pursue. The licensing requirements, costs, timelines, and regulatory bodies differ significantly between, say, seed import and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Do not attempt to be broadly ‘in hemp’, be specific.
- Step 3, Engage early with regulatory bodies: The executive regulations for the new law are still being published. Early engagement with relevant ministries and local authorities will help you understand timeline and practical requirements before they are published in final form.
- Step 4, Free zone assessment: Evaluate which UAE free zone, if any, is most aligned with your business model. While free zones provide no exemption from the law, some will develop hemp-specific support infrastructure faster than others. This is an area worth monitoring.
- Step 5, Build compliance infrastructure: Invest in proper tracking, testing, and record-keeping systems from the outset. The law’s National Tracking System means regulatory visibility into your operations. This is not a context where compliance can be an afterthought.
- Step 6, Monitor regulatory updates: The executive regulations, Cabinet decisions, and emirate-level regulations that supplement this law will continue to be issued throughout 2026. Set up monitoring alerts and build regulatory review into your operating rhythm.
Section 10: How UAE Hemp Law Compares to Global Frameworks
Understanding the UAE framework in a global context helps business and medical professionals assess opportunities and risks, and helps residents understand why the UAE approach is more restrictive in consumer terms than many other countries.
| Country / Region | Industrial Hemp Framework | Consumer Hemp / CBD Status |
| United States | Industrial hemp legal under 2018 Farm Bill (THC ≤ 0.3%). Licensed by state departments of agriculture. | CBD dietary supplements in a regulatory grey area post-2018. FDA has not fully approved CBD in food/supplements. State-level variation. |
| European Union | Industrial hemp legal with THC ≤ 0.2% (moving to 0.3%). Novel Food regulation covers CBD products. | CBD as Novel Food, requires authorisation. Consumer CBD market exists but regulatory clarity varies by member state. |
| India | Industrial hemp permitted in some states (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. THC ≤ 0.3%. | CBD not widely regulated as a consumer product. Limited legal consumer market. |
| Canada | Fully regulated hemp and cannabis framework under Cannabis Act 2018. | CBD products legal for consumer sale through licensed channels. Most open consumer market globally. |
| UAE (2026) | Industrial hemp legal under Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 (THC ≤ 0.3%) with multi-agency licensing. | Consumer CBD strictly prohibited. Medical hemp through pharmaceutical channels only. Zero consumer market. |
| Saudi Arabia | Cannabis strictly prohibited. No hemp framework. | All cannabis derivatives prohibited. |
| Israel | Medical cannabis programme, one of the world’s most advanced. Industrial hemp permitted. | Medical cannabis accessible with prescription. Limited consumer CBD market. |
The UAE framework is more conservative in its consumer provisions than North American and European models, but it is broadly aligned with international standards on the industrial side, including the 0.3% THC threshold, the licensing architecture, and the multi-agency oversight model. Its closest regional comparison is not Saudi Arabia (which has no hemp framework) but rather the earlier, more cautious stages of hemp regulation in jurisdictions like India or certain European countries.
Section 11: What to Watch, The Evolving Regulatory Landscape
Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 is a framework law. Much of its practical detail sits in executive regulations, Cabinet decisions, and emirate-level orders that are still being developed and published. Understanding where the law is likely to evolve is essential for anyone with a serious interest in the sector.
11.1 Key Regulatory Developments to Monitor
- Executive Regulations: The Minister of Climate Change and Environment will issue executive regulations specifying the detailed requirements for each licence type, the approved hemp variety list, THC testing methodologies, and operational standards. These regulations are the practical rulebook for hemp businesses and are critical.
- Cabinet Decisions: Several provisions of the law explicitly defer to Cabinet decisions. The most commercially significant is the Cabinet’s authority to expand or restrict the list of prohibited product categories, meaning that certain currently prohibited products (such as some cosmetics) could be unlocked, or currently permitted activities could be restricted, by Cabinet action.
- Emirates Drug Establishment: The role of this body in the medical hemp products pathway will be clarified through implementing regulations under the medical products law. Watch for guidance on which hemp pharmaceutical products may be approved for dispensing in UAE.
- Emirate-Level Regulations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates will issue their own implementing rules. These could range from additional licensing requirements to specific zone designations for hemp cultivation or manufacturing.
- National Tracking System: The governance arrangements for the national electronic registry will be established by Cabinet decision. The technical specifications of this system will significantly affect the practical compliance burden for licensed businesses.
11.2 The CBD Export Question, An Open Issue
As noted in Section 7, the question of whether the UAE will develop a CBD-for-export business model under this framework is unresolved. This is perhaps the single highest-value open question in the law, and its answer will depend heavily on how executive regulations interpret hemp flower cultivation and cannabinoid extraction.
Analyst commentary from hemp industry experts suggests the UAE’s model points toward high-value, low-volume pharmaceutical outputs rather than large-scale biomass farming, reflecting the country’s agronomic realities (heat, water scarcity) and its economic positioning as a high-value hub. That analysis favours pharmaceutical CBD manufacturing for export over agricultural hemp fibre.
Section 12: Frequently Asked Questions About Hemp Laws in the UAE
Is hemp legal in the UAE?
Industrial hemp, specifically Cannabis Sativa with 0.3% total THC or less, is legal in the UAE for licensed industrial and medical purposes under Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025, which came into force on 1 January 2026. Consumer hemp products, recreational cannabis, and most CBD products remain prohibited.
Is CBD oil legal in the UAE?
Consumer CBD oil is not legal in the UAE. CBD products for personal use, oils, tinctures, supplements, edibles, are prohibited regardless of THC level. CBD as an ingredient in licensed pharmaceutical products is legally possible under the new medical hemp pathway, but this requires full pharmaceutical licensing and physician prescription through regulated channels. Bringing CBD oil into the UAE from abroad carries real criminal risk including detention and deportation.
What are the penalties for hemp violations in the UAE?
Criminal penalties under Federal Decree-Law No. 24 start at 3 months imprisonment and AED 100,000 in fines. Administrative fines range from AED 10,000 to AED 1,000,000 (and up to AED 2,000,000 for repeat violations). Where a violation also constitutes a narcotics offence, significantly more severe penalties under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 apply, including, in trafficking cases, life imprisonment or the death penalty in the most extreme circumstances. Foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences face mandatory deportation in most circumstances.
Can I start a hemp business in the UAE?
Yes, in principle, industrial hemp businesses are now possible with the appropriate licences. You will need licences from multiple authorities including MoCCAE, relevant local authorities, and in some cases the NANA and MoIAT. The process is complex, the compliance obligations are significant, and legal advice specific to your planned activity is essential before starting. See Section 9 for a practical framework.
Is hemp cultivation permitted in the UAE?
Hemp cultivation is permitted with a licence from MoCCAE and the relevant local authority, plus security clearance from NANA. Cultivation must be in designated, fenced, monitored zones approved by local authorities. Cultivation in natural habitats or protected areas is absolutely prohibited. THC must be tested periodically and must not exceed 0.3%.
Can I bring hemp products from India to the UAE?
No. Even if hemp products are legally purchased in India, they cannot be legally imported into the UAE for personal use. The UAE hemp law created a business licensing framework, it did not create a personal import pathway. Consumer hemp products remain prohibited for personal import regardless of origin.
Does the hemp law apply in UAE free zones?
Yes. The law explicitly states that it applies to all industrial hemp activities within the UAE, including free zones. Free zone location provides no exemption from hemp licensing requirements, prohibited product rules, or any other provision of the law.
Is hemp seed oil legal in UAE cosmetics?
Hemp seed oil, derived from cold-pressing hemp seeds, containing no THC or CBD, is permitted in cosmetics in the UAE, subject to documentation and labelling requirements. This has been the case since at least 2019. The new hemp law maintains a narrow exception for cosmetics made from oils extracted from hemp seeds or stalks that are entirely free from THC and psychoactive compounds. Hemp extract, hemp CBD oil, and any product containing detectable THC in cosmetics remain prohibited.
What happens if I am caught with cannabis in the UAE?
Cannabis possession (including products that are above the 0.3% THC threshold or that fall into prohibited categories) remains a criminal offence under the narcotics law. Penalties for personal use start at a minimum 3 months imprisonment (or a fine from AED 20,000 for first-time offenders in some circumstances). Courts may substitute imprisonment with compulsory rehabilitation treatment in some first-time cases. Foreign nationals face mandatory deportation after serving their sentence in most circumstances. These are serious consequences that should not be underestimated.
Will hemp food products ever become legal in the UAE?
The law prohibits hemp food products, dietary supplements, and veterinary products, but explicitly allows for the Cabinet to expand or modify the list of prohibited products by decision. This means there is a legal mechanism for future liberalisation of these categories. However, as of March 2026, there is no indication that such a Cabinet decision is imminent. Do not assume these products will become available on any particular timeline.
Conclusion: What the UAE Hemp Law Actually Means
Federal Decree-Law No. 24 of 2025 is a historic piece of legislation. For the first time in the UAE’s history, industrial hemp has been separated from recreational cannabis and given its own legal framework, one designed to enable industrial and medical opportunities while maintaining the strict prohibition on personal use that the UAE has always upheld.
For residents, the practical reality is cautious and clear: the consumer hemp market that exists in other countries does not yet exist in the UAE. CBD supplements, hemp edibles, and most hemp wellness products remain prohibited. Bringing them into the country carries real and serious legal risk. The one exception to monitor is the medical hemp pathway, which may eventually make specific hemp-derived pharmaceuticals available through licensed medical channels, but this is for patients with specific conditions, through physicians and licensed pharmacies, not through consumer retail.
For businesses, the law creates a genuine opportunity, but a narrow, highly regulated, and capital-intensive one. The UAE government has deliberately designed a framework for serious industrial and medical operators, not for speculative startups or consumer brands. The businesses that will benefit are those with the compliance capabilities, the technical expertise, and the financial resources to navigate a multi-agency licensing process and operate under continuous regulatory oversight.
For the global hemp industry, the UAE’s law signals that even the most conservative Gulf markets are beginning to acknowledge hemp as a distinct category from recreational cannabis. The framework’s alignment with the international 0.3% THC standard and the multi-layer licensing model mirrors what has worked in mature hemp jurisdictions. How far and fast the UAE market develops will depend on the executive regulations, Cabinet decisions, and emirate-level rules that are still to come.
ITSHEMP.AE is committed to keeping this guide updated as executive regulations, Cabinet decisions, and emirate-level rules are published. Bookmark this page and subscribe to our newsletter for regulatory updates as they happen.
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