In our Regulatory Snapshot, when we say a country treats Medicinal Cannabis as restricted, it means that products like cannabidiol (CBD) oils are only allowed under formal medicine registration rules. This does not exclude other interpretations, where the same CBD oil may be seen as a herbal medicine, supplement, or even a superfood. In many countries, this remains a “grey area” — a space where entrepreneurs must actively engage and help shape the path forward.
What you'll learn
Table of contents
Pakistan Introduction
Pakistan has a long history with cannabis and hashish (charas), informally used in rural and tribal areas. In 2020, the government legalized industrial hemp cultivation under the Ministry of Science and Technology, with a focus on CBD extraction and export markets. Recreational use remains prohibited, and there is no structured medical cannabis program. Functional mushrooms and adaptogens are legal, while Pakistan also has a vibrant herbal and Unani medicine tradition, making non-cannabis wellness cafés viable.
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Cannabis & Wellness Regulation Overview
Recreational Cannabis (Adult Use)
Status: Illegal.
- Cannabis possession, cultivation, and trafficking criminalized.
- Penalties vary: fines to long prison terms.
- Informal use common, especially in northern tribal areas and Sufi religious contexts.
Medical Cannabis
Status: Prohibited.
- No patient access program.
- Limited pharma imports (like Epidiolex) possible but rare.
Hemp & Industrial Definition
Status: Legal (since 2020).
- Industrial hemp legalized with ≤0.3% THC threshold.
- Licensed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and provincial authorities.
- Focus on CBD extraction and fiber exports.
CBD Oils and Products
Status: Limited.
- CBD exports permitted under licenses.
- Domestic retail: unclear legal standing, small grey market exists.
- Cosmetics with hemp seed oil tolerated.
Cosmetics & Artisanal Production
Status: Allowed.
- Herbal cosmetics deeply rooted in Unani & Ayurvedic traditions (moringa, neem, aloe, turmeric, rose oil).
- Hemp-based cosmetics possible under license.
Functional Mushrooms & Adaptogens
Status: Allowed.
- Functional mushrooms (Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane) imported and sold.
- Adaptogens like ashwagandha, maca, ginseng widely used in herbal formulations.
- Regulated under Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Psilocybin / Psychedelics
Status: Prohibited.
- Classified as narcotic.
- Harsh penalties for possession or trafficking.
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Operating Guidance (Hemp Vegan)
Wellness-Driven Coffee & Retail
- Cannabis (recreational/medical) not viable.
- Opportunity: CBD cosmetics + hemp-based products (under license) + mushrooms/adaptogens.
- Leverage Pakistan’s herbal medicine heritage for positioning.
- Urban entry hubs: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad.
Clinical Tools & AI
- Short-term: focus on herbal wellness, adaptogens, mushrooms, hemp cosmetics.
- Longer-term: potential collaboration with licensed CBD hemp export operators.
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Marketing, Claims & Compliance
Advertising & Claims
- Cannabis/CBD restricted to licensed export channels.
- Cosmetics/herbal wellness: claims allowed if non-medical.
- Supplements: structure/function claims permitted under DRAP.
Packaging & Labeling
- Labels must be in Urdu or English.
- CBD/hemp products (export): require THC declaration and license number.
- Supplements: must declare dosage, batch, distributor.
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Taxes, Import & Duties
- VAT: 18%.
- Hemp/CBD exports taxed under Ministry of Commerce.
- Mushrooms/adaptogens: import/export permitted.
- Cosmetics: herbal sector is export-friendly (moringa, neem, rose).
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Risks & Practical Notes
- Recreational cannabis: prohibited, strict enforcement.
- Medical cannabis: not legalized.
- Industrial hemp: legalized in 2020, export-focused.
- CBD: viable for licensed export, limited local retail.
- Strategy: Hemp Vegan cafés should focus on mushrooms, adaptogens, herbal cosmetics, while exploring B2B export partnerships in hemp/CBD.
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FAQ (Hemp Vegan)
How Hemp Vegan supports operations in Pakistan
We help partners integrate licensed hemp/CBD operators for export and build non-cannabis wellness cafés focused on mushrooms, adaptogens, and herbal medicine.
Payroll & local operations
Employer contributions ~12–14%. Hemp Vegan provides HR compliance kits adapted to Pakistani law.
Creators vs. Employees
Retail staff must be hired locally. Remote collaborators may join as contractors.
Ongoing support
We monitor DRAP and Ministry of Science & Technology for updates on hemp/CBD regulations.
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Sources & Review Log
_Last reviewed_: 2025-08-23
