China Invests $10 Million in Medical Cannabis in Lebanon

A partnership Lebanese-Chinese hopes to give new momentum to the medical marijuana, which is still dormant in the country.

After announcing a partnership in the agricultural sector, the two countries have now signed a series of agreements focused on medical marijuana and medicinal plants, resulting in an investment of 10 million dollars intended to establish Lebanon's first public research laboratory dedicated to this sector.

This agreement, signed at the Grand Serail in Beirut, aims to encourage international investment in agricultural sectors considered to have strong pharmaceutical and export potential.

Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani also linked this initiative to a Lebanese-Chinese partnership announced the previous week, which focused on introducing agricultural drone technology into agriculture and forestry.

This agreement also comes alongside an effort by the Lebanon to diversify its economy, while negotiating financial reforms and seeking greater macroeconomic stability.

Announcement of the first public laboratory dedicated to cannabis

The June 8, the two countries signed the agreement on 10 million dollars with the company Zhonghua Lianchuang International Holding Co., Ltd., based in Hong Kong, to fund the country's first public laboratory dedicated to research and testing on the medical marijuana.

The laboratory will be located at the Faculty of Agronomy at the’Lebanese University in Dikwaneh and will operate under the supervision of the’Lebanese Cannabis Regulatory Authority.

Unlike a traditional investment, the Chinese company will provide this funding without any direct financial compensation or conditions. Approximately $4 million will be allocated for laboratory equipment, while the remaining funds will be used to finance technical assistance, staff training, and the publication of analysis results via the Authority’s future online platform.

The laboratory is expected to obtain accreditation ISO/IEC 17025, an international standard applicable to testing laboratories. According to Dany Fadel, president of the’Cannabis Regulatory Authority, this certification will enable the authority not only to conduct reliable analyses, but also to evaluate and accredit private laboratories in the future.

Supporting exports and improving quality standards

Beyond research, the new laboratory is expected to play a central role in shaping the industry Medical cannabis in Lebanon. He will analyze and improve the local genetics of cannabis in order to ensure their compliance with international quality standards, an important prerequisite for future exports.

The organization will also develop a database of locally grown cannabis varieties and compile a list of licensed growers across the country, thereby providing regulators and investors with more comprehensive information about the sector.

According to Fadel, making laboratory results publicly available should also improve transparency and boost potential investors' confidence in the Lebanese market.

Regulation remains the missing piece

Although he had legalized the cultivation of medical and industrial cannabis in 2020, Lebanon has not yet established a fully operational industry.

The regulatory framework developed by the Cannabis Regulatory Authority is still under review by the country’s central oversight body, where it has reportedly been awaiting approval since December. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has further slowed administrative progress.

The judge Mahmoud Makkieh, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Lebanese government and is currently overseeing the authority’s administrative continuity, stated that his role was primarily to ensure the agreement’s implementation until a permanent director general is appointed.