Egypt has a long history with hash. The country ranks 25th in the world for annual consumption. However it remains illegal here.
Forget pyramids, camels and lots of desert. Real Egyptians smoke weed. In fact, according to a recent United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report, Egypt ranks 25th globally in annual hash and cannabis consumption.
It is so popular here that the Cairo and Giza Tobacco Merchants proposed legalizing it here to help reduce the state budget deficit.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN EGYPT
Hash and cannabis has been illegal in Egypt since 1925. This unfortunately means that the production, sale and possession of any form of medicinal marijuana products are highly illegal in Egypt.
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN EGYPT
As said before, cannabis use is very popular in Egypt, even though it remains very illegal and off limits. But as smoking hash is widely socially tolerated, underground hash cafés are flourishing. Most have “understandings” with local police to avoid intrusion.
As a foreigner, you should be really careful when you go out looking for some of that good Egyptian hash. Try to do it via friends and trusted confidants only.
Lots of really bad things can happen if you would get caught for possession. There has been no drug reform here. Penalties even include capital punishment. Even if you escape this, you could be looking at years in prison. Even for simple possession of a bit of cannabis.
There has been a marked new level of repression by the government of late. In fact, since Arab Spring, youthful protest about anything has been severely punished. Don’t even think about advocating for drug reform here unless you really know what you are doing. You might end up in jail as a suspected terrorist.
