Rwanda approves cannabis production for export

Rwanda has approved the cultivation and export of cannabis even though its use for medical or recreational purposes remains illegal in the country.

Rwanda's Minister of Health, Dr Daniel Ngamije, has stated that despite the government's intention to profit from the production and export of cannabis, its use in the country is prohibited.

«This will not give drug users and traffickers an excuse. The law against narcotics remains unchanged and will continue to be enforced,» he said.

A Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame approved regulatory guidelines for the cultivation, processing and export of «high-value therapeutic crops».

Last year, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) had invited companies to bid for the development of medical cannabis in Rwanda, focusing on the export market.

Cannabis in Rwanda

The production or sale of cannabis is prohibited in Rwanda. Doctors are not allowed to prescribe it as medicine, which can lead to a two-year prison sentence and a fine of around 3 million Rwandan francs (€2,500) under article 266 of the Penal Code.

Drug use carries a two-year prison sentence, while drug traffickers risk 20 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to 30 million Frw (€25,000).

Under the law governing narcotics and psychotropic substances, authorization to produce, distribute and use narcotics is granted if their use is restricted to medical and research purposes only. The law also stipulates that each selected authorized private or public company may only keep the quantities of narcotics necessary for the proper functioning of the company.

«There should now be some form of legal framework to support this decision and to explain to citizens how this will work» a declared Louis Gitinywa, constitutional lawyer, at the East African.