Cannabis in Kermanshah

Cannabis in Kermanshah: Context, Challenges and Consequences

Introduction

The western Iranian province of Kermanshah stands at the crossroads of numerous social, economic and geopolitical forces. On one hand, it is rich in culture and history; on the other, it is a frontier region in terms of drug trafficking, cultivation and addiction. This article examines the situation of cannabis in Kermanshah: its legal status at the national level, the dynamics in this region, the interplay with other illicit crops, the public health impact, and what the future may hold.

Legal & Regulatory Framework in Iran

At the national level, the situation of cannabis in Iran is strictly regulated. According to a summary by the organisation The Cannigma, “cannabis is classified as a prohibited substance, and possession, sale, and cultivation of cannabis are all illegal.” (The Cannigma)
More specifically:

• Possession, cultivation or trafficking of cannabis may lead to severe penalties including prison terms, flogging and fines. Previously, for large quantities, capital punishment was at least considered. (Leafwell)
• In 2020, Iran publicly criticised the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs decision to remove cannabis from the list of the most dangerous drugs, reaffirming that Iran’s law prohibits cannabis use entirely. (Tehran Times)
• The large-scale seizures of cannabis resin and hashish at the national level testify to both demand and enforcement. For example, a UNODC report shows major seizures in Iranian provinces. (UNODC)

Thus, any discussion of cannabis in Kermanshah must be understood within the context of Iran’s rigid legal framework. Use, cultivation or trafficking of cannabis are illegal, and enforcement is active.

Kermanshah Province: Profile and Drug Context

Kermanshah Province is located in western Iran, near the Iraqi border and part of the Kurdish‐majority western region. It faces particular socio-economic challenges: relatively high unemployment, economic underdevelopment, and a role as a transit zone for illicit substances.
According to a 2018 report by Rudaw, Kermanshah “has one of the highest rates of drug addiction in the country.” (rudaw.net)
The report stated that:

• Authorities estimated around 90,000 addicts in the province, and that 12 % of addicts use “marijuana” (a term loosely used) while 75 % consume opium. (rudaw.net)
• The province’s location makes it vulnerable to smuggling and transit of narcotics due to its border position and limited law-enforcement resources.

Given this context, cannabis cannot be considered in isolation; it is part of a broader illicit drug ecosystem in the region, including opium, poppy cultivation, and methamphetamine.

Cannabis Cultivation & Agricultural Pressures

While many reports focus on opium poppy cultivation in Kermanshah, there is related relevance for cannabis and similar illicit crops. A recent report (2025) noted that “opium poppy cultivation surges in Iran’s Kermanshah province” due to water shortages, lack of employment and rural poverty. (rudaw.net)
Although the report is about poppies rather than cannabis, the logic holds: when farmers face low returns from legal crops (wheat, barley, chickpeas) and environmental stress (drought), the incentive to switch to illicit crops rises.
Moreover, research on indigenous cannabis populations in Iran shows that cannabis has long adapted to a variety of Iranian geographies. For example, a 2024 BMC Plant Biology study on “Characterization of indigenous populations of cannabis in Iran” highlights genetic diversity of cannabis in Iran. (BioMed Central)
Thus in Kermanshah, even if large-scale legal cultivation of cannabis is absent (and illegal), the environmental and socio-economic drivers that push illicit cultivation exist.

Patterns of Use, Demand and Social Realities

Patterns of Use on Cannabis in Kermanshah

Usage of cannabis or cannabis‐derived substances in Iran is difficult to precisely quantify, but multiple sources suggest the following:

• The Cannigma cited estimates of up to 4 million regular users in Iran (out of ~80 million population) for cannabis, though online estimates vary. (The Cannigma)
• In Kermanshah specifically, the 2018 Rudaw article reported ~12 % of addicts use “marijuana”. (rudaw.net)
• The PLOS ONE article on cannabis use in Iran provides statistical analysis of use patterns, though not broken down by province. (PLOS)

Social Realities and Perception on Cannabis in Kermanshah

In Kermanshah (and more broadly Iran), cannabis has multiple social dimensions:

• Stigma and illegality: Given strict laws and strong cultural norms, use of cannabis is clandestine, often hidden.
• Youth interest: Younger people with digital access are increasingly exposed to global narratives of cannabis uses (wellness, medicinal, recreational) and may show curiosity.
• Link to other drugs: In Kermanshah the dominant illicit drug remains opium; cannabis is less dominant but still part of the mix.
• Public health impact: Addiction rates, mental health issues and treatment needs are significant. The fact that many addicts are in Kermanshah underscores broader social problems.

Anecdotal Observations on Cannabis in Kermanshah

Online comments (e.g., Reddit) from Iranians suggest cannabis (and hashish) is more common than might be expected, though enforcement remains a threat:

“In Iran it’s not rare to smell whiffs of marijuana in the streets in big cities.” (Reddit)
While not scientifically rigorous, such accounts suggest the presence of an underground culture.

Enforcement, Risks and Penalties

Under Iranian law, those caught with cannabis face serious risks. As per the Leafwell summary:

“…the plant is illegal for recreational or medical use in the Middle Eastern nation. Those who possess, grow, or sell cannabis or other narcotic drugs may be subject to fines, corporal punishment, or prison time.” (Leafwell)
Although Iran has reportedly removed the death penalty for small‐scale cannabis offences, large‐scale trafficking of narcotics (especially opium, heroin, meth) still carries death sentences. (Wikipedia)
Kermanshah’s border/transit role increases the risk of being caught in trafficking chains. The mix of poverty, smuggling routes and demand means that individuals and communities are vulnerable.
From an enforcement perspective:

• National anti-narcotics agencies monitor border and transit zones.
• In Kermanshah, provincial drug control agencies report numerous “production and distribution” sites being closed. (rudaw.net)
• The government emphasises strict action: e.g., for opium poppies, the prosecutor’s office in Kermanshah warned of “serious action” for cultivators. (rudaw.net)

Public Health, Addiction and Social Impact

The high rate of addiction in Kermanshah province warrants concern. As noted earlier, one government figure estimated tens of thousands of addicts, many of whom consume opium, but some cannabis/”marijuana”. (rudaw.net)

Impacts on Cannabis in Kermanshah

• Addiction and treatment: The prevalence implies a need for treatment infrastructure (detoxification, rehabilitation, social support).
• Youth risk: Young people may be at higher risk due to unemployment, social dislocation, and exposure to global drug culture via the internet.
• Agricultural dependence: Rural communities may be economically tied to illicit crop cycles, limiting legitimate livelihoods and perpetuating cycles of poverty and drug problems.
• Health consequences: Cannabis, while less lethal than opiates, still poses risks of dependence, mental health issues, and may serve as part of a broader substance-use trajectory. The PLOS ONE study on Iran notes the need to consider cannabis use alongside other substances. (PLOS)

Cultural & Historical Dimensions

Although the modern framework is one of prohibition, cannabis has historical roots in Iran’s culture:

• According to Wikipedia’s “Cannabis in Iran” page, cannabis — known by local names such as “bang” or “hashish” — has been used historically for medicinal, recreational, and spiritual purposes. (Wikipedia)
• Research into indigenous cannabis populations highlights genetic diversity within Iran’s varied climates, demonstrating the plant is native and well-adapted. (BioMed Central)
• Cultural links: In Kurdish and western Iranian societies, informal practices may persist, though not officially sanctioned.

In Kermanshah, with its Kurdish heritage and border links to Iraq and Turkey, cultural exchange may influence attitudes toward drug culture (including cannabis), even if covert.

Economic & Geopolitical Considerations

The situation of cannabis in Kermanshah cannot be separated from broader economic and geopolitical factors.

Economic pressures on Cannabis in Kermanshah

• Farmers facing droughts may shift to illicit crops because they offer higher returns and lower water input. The 2025 report on poppies in Kermanshah illustrates this dynamic. (rudaw.net)
• Illicit agriculture undermines legitimate development, traps communities in cycles of poverty and law-enforcement risk.

Geopolitical location & trafficking on Cannabis in Kermanshah

• Kermanshah’s proximity to the Iraqi border means it is part of transit routes for drugs from Afghanistan (via Iran) or between Iran and Iraq. The Rudaw piece underlines that border provinces such as Kermanshah have higher drug-use and trafficking rates. (rudaw.net)
• Regional instability, smuggling networks and weak rural infrastructure combine to make drug cultivation and trafficking viable alternatives for some locals.

International implications

• Iran’s stance on cannabis (strict prohibition) reflects its broader drug-policy regime, and it publicly objects to UN moves to ease classification of cannabis. (Tehran Times)
• For Kermanshah, this means no legal pathway for medicinal or industrial cannabis cultivation, unlike in some other countries moving toward reform.

Case Study: Kermanshah & Cannabis

Let’s synthesise what we know specifically about cannabis (rather than other drugs) in Kermanshah.

Prevalence

While precise data is scarce, the Rudaw article indicates that ~12 % of addicts in Kermanshah reported using “marijuana”. (rudaw.net) This is lower than opium’s ~75 %.

Cultivation & supply

No open official sources confirm large-scale legal cultivation of cannabis in Kermanshah (legal cultivation is not allowed anyway). However, given the agriculture vs drought dynamics, illicit cultivation may exist (though more documented for poppies).

Social impact

High addiction rates, considerable unemployment and rural poverty all provide fertile ground for illicit substance use. The stigma attached to cannabis and the risk of severe legal penalties compound the social impact.

Enforcement dynamics

Authorities in Kermanshah report closing production/distribution sites. The legal system’s capacity to manage demand (treatment, rehabilitation) may be overwhelmed by supply/transit pressures.

Cultural-economic interplay

Kermanshah’s Kurdish majority, cross-border networks and historical resilience mean that informal economies (licit and illicit) play a strong role. Cannabis as part of the informal economy fits into this broader picture.

Challenges & Key Issues

Several key issues arise when considering cannabis in Kermanshah:

1. Data scarcity – Reliable statistics about cannabis (prevalence, cultivation, trafficking) at provincial level are limited.
2. Mixed substance landscape – Cannabis is one among many drugs; isolation of its dynamics is difficult amidst opium, heroin, meth.
3. Agricultural drivers – Economic hardship and environmental pressures push rural populations toward illicit crops — limiting options for cannabis reform (since the overall regime is prohibition).
4. Legal risk vs reality – Severe penalties deter overt activity, but clandestine use/production persists. Enforcement may be selective and not evenly effective.
5. Public health gap – With high addiction rates, the treatment and harm-reduction infrastructure may be inadequate, especially for cannabis users (who may not seek treatment as much as opiate users).
6. Cultural stigma – Social attitudes strongly discourage open discussion of cannabis; thus hidden use, shame and underreporting are common.
7. Opportunity cost of reform – Because Iran prohibits cannabis use, cultivation and trafficking, there is no legal industrial hemp or regulated medicinal cannabis sector. That means potential economic opportunities (like in other countries) are absent, even if social and environmental conditions might favour cultivation.

Possible Future Scenarios

Given the circumstances in Kermanshah and Iran more broadly, several scenarios might unfold:

Scenario 1: Status Quo Maintained

Iran continues its strict prohibition. Cannabis remains illegal for recreational, medicinal and industrial use. Enforcement targets trafficking and cultivation. In Kermanshah, illicit markets grow modestly; public health and agricultural issues remain.

Scenario 2: Incremental Reform (Medicinal/Industrial)

Under pressure from global change and internal debates, Iran might relax its laws to allow limited medicinal cannabis or industrial hemp cultivation (low-THC). This would require legal, regulatory, infrastructure change and monitoring. In Kermanshah, that might create alternative agricultural opportunities and shift some illicit cropping to licit.
However, given Iran’s public statement opposing relaxation (see UN drug classification pushback) this seems less likely in the near term. (Tehran Times)

Scenario 3: Increased Illicit Growth & Crackdown

Economic hardship, drought and regional instability might increase illicit cultivation/trafficking in Kermanshah (cannabis and other crops). In response, authorities may intensify crackdowns. This could worsen rural poverty and increase harm to marginalised communities.

Scenario 4: Harm Reduction Shift

Public health policymakers might begin to treat cannabis users more as health clients than criminals — prioritising prevention, education and treatment. While this is not a full reform, it shifts the lens from criminal justice to health. In Kermanshah, that could improve outcomes for young users.

Implications & Recommendations

For stakeholders—policymakers, health professionals, agricultural planners, civil society—in Kermanshah the following implications and recommendations emerge:

• Invest in data collection: Better provincial-level data about cannabis use, cultivation, trafficking would inform policy.
• Support alternative livelihoods: For rural farmers facing drought and low returns, developing legal cash crops or agro-industry partnerships could reduce the attractiveness of illicit cultivation.
• Strengthen treatment & harm reduction: Cannabis users often fall outside traditional programmes oriented toward opiate addiction. Create outreach programmes, youth education, mental-health services.
• Improve law enforcement equity: While trafficking must be addressed, ensuring enforcement does not disproportionately harm impoverished rural communities or push users farther underground is important.
• Consider regulatory frameworks for industrial hemp: Even if recreational use remains illegal, exploring low-THC hemp for fibre/culture could open economic avenues. But this would require legal reform and infrastructure.
• Promote community education and dialogue: Addressing stigma, opening safe spaces for discussion about cannabis (not encouraging use, but acknowledging its presence) can reduce hidden risk behaviour.
• Regional cooperation: Given cross-border dynamics, Kermanshah could benefit from regional drug-trafficking cooperation with neighbours, and from development programmes funded by national/international agencies aimed at border provinces.

Conclusion

Cannabis in Kermanshah sits at the intersection of legal prohibition, hidden social reality, agricultural stress and public health burden. While Iran maintains strict laws, the province’s particular geography, economy and culture mean that cannabis (alongside more serious substances) forms part of the fabric of illicit substance use and cultivation.

For Kermanshah to manage this challenge effectively, a holistic approach is required—one that addresses economic drivers, strengthens health systems, builds data capacity, and considers thoughtful policy reform (where feasible) in alignment with Iranian law and cultural context.

Because the subject involves illegal activity, caution and nuance are important. This article does not advocate for illicit use or cultivation, but seeks to provide an evidence-based overview of the situation in Kermanshah regarding cannabis.

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Further reading / quality links

• The Cannigma: “Cannabis laws in Iran” (https://cannigma.com/regulation/cannabis-laws-in-iran/)
• Rudaw: “Kermanshah: Iran’s drug addiction capital?” (https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iran/230620182)
• PLOS ONE: “Cannabis use in Iran – statistical analysis” (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0256563&type=printable)
• BMC Plant Biology: “Characterization of indigenous populations of cannabis in Iran” (https://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12870-024-04841-y)