Lesotho, first African country authorized to export medical cannabis to Europe

A Lesotho company has become the first in Africa to be authorized to export medical cannabis to the European Union.

The country's leading medical cannabis producer, MG Health, has announced that it has met EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, allowing it to export cannabis flower, oil and extracts as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. He will export his first batch to Germany later this year.

GMP guidelines are the minimum requirements that a manufacturer or producer must meet to ensure that products are safe and of consistently high quality. They are used to control the authorization of food, pharmaceutical and medical products for sale.

The company had hoped to receive accreditation last year, but restrictions imposed by Covid-19 prevented inspectors from visiting Lesotho in June. The company is confident that accreditation will open doors to other EU countries and international markets. It has already received applications from France, the UK and Australia.

Situated 2000 meters above sea level in the mountains of Lesotho, the clean air and pristine environment ensure the growth of high quality plants.#MG_Health 1TP5Lesotho #Marakabei #World_class_standards #Pharmaceutical_grade #Cannabis pic.twitter.com/xqW72VBPaZ

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- MG Health (@MGHFullSpectrum) January 23, 2020

Located at an altitude of 2,000 metres in the mountainous region just outside the capital Maseru, the company employs 250 people on its 5,000 square metre farm. But it plans to increase its workforce to 3,000, and from the current 250 kg of medical cannabis produced per month to 100 tons per year, operating an area of 160,000 square meters for 3,000 employees.

«Corporate social responsibility development projects will also take off and eventually reduce crime and poverty among villagers,» Peete added.

MG Health Managing Director Andre Bothma commented: «We are located in a rural area where there is virtually no income. Increasing the company's activities will have a ripple effect on the local population, as we also buy certain products and services from villagers. Some of them supply us with vegetables, milk and beans, among other [products]. An increase in the workforce also means an increase in the villagers» income."

The little mountain kingdom has been the first in Africa to authorize the cultivation of medical cannabis in 2017. African cannabis is widely produced in the country, although possession and consumption are still illegal.