Malawi asks Mike Tyson to be its cannabis ambassador

Malawi, which legalized medical cannabis last year, Malawi's Minister of Agriculture, Lobin Low, asked Mike Tyson to become the country's official ambassador for cannabis cultivation. Agriculture Minister Lobin Low sent a letter to Tyson inviting him to take on the role, and said legalization in Malawi had created new opportunities.

Mike Tyson, former world heavyweight boxing champion, is now also a cannabis entrepreneur, with a brand name and a huge cultivation complex and cannabis tourism.

«Malawi cannot go it alone as the sector is complex [and requires] collaboration. I would therefore like to appoint you, Mr. Mike Tyson, as ambassador of the Malawi cannabis branch,» wrote Lobin Lowe.

The Ministry of Agriculture has indicated that the National Cannabis Industry Association, the American Cannabis Association, facilitated the agreement with Mr. Tyson. The head of the association's Malawian branch, Wezi Ngalamila, said told the BBC that the former boxer had accepted the invitation and that plans were underway for his visit to the country.

«Tyson will work with us,» she declared.

Malawi legalized the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes last year, but has not legalized its personal consumption. The country's Ministry of Agriculture encouraged farmers to grow cannabis as well as hemp for industrial use.

The government hopes that Mike Tyson's support will «attract some investors and even potential buyers», ministry spokesman Gracian Lungu told AFP.

A locally grown variety of cannabis, the Malawi Gold, is renowned the world over among recreational consumers, as are the Malawi Cob.