Malawi legalizes cannabis for medical and industrial use

Malawi's parliament passed a bill on Thursday legalizing the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical and industrial uses, but failed to decriminalize recreational use.

The legalization of hemp in Malawi was one of the demands of the Hemp Association of Malawi.

Agriculture Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa presented the Cannabis Regulation Bill saying it would help diversify the economy and boost the country's exports, especially at a time when tobacco exports are in decline.

«The legalization of this crop will contribute to economic growth,» he said. declared.

The bill on the regulation of cannabis establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Authority (CRA), which will be responsible for licensing and regulating medical and industrial cannabis programs. The CRA will grant licenses to grow, process, store, sell, export and distribute cannabis.

The Authority will also grant permits to conduct scientific research programs, and all licensees will be required to comply with security measures concerning the cultivation, processing, storage and distribution of cannabis.

Cannabis will be grown according to strict production practices, including the non-involvement of children, the nature and quality of the soil, and the control of pesticides and fertilizers.

The legislation will further regulate cannabis processing and packaging to ensure that product description, labeling and net weight are clearly labeled.

Under the legislation, specific individuals will be authorized to handle medical cannabis, while patients who may be eligible for cannabis-based treatment will be listed on a register.

Malawi joins the first African countries to allow cannabis cultivation, primarily for export. In December 2019, the Zambia legalized cannabis production for this purpose, while the Lesotho legalized in 2017 and the Zimbabwe in 2018. South Africa is, legalizing cannabis altogether, The medical production of these products is already possible.