Zimbabwe legalizes medical cannabis

Zimbabwe has become the second African country to legalize cannabis for medical and research purposes.

Dr. David Parienyatwa, Zimbabwe's Minister of Health, explained that individuals and businesses can now apply for licenses to grow cannabis for medical or research purposes.

The license will be issued for five years and will allow the holder to possess, transport, and sell cannabis, either in the form of oil or dried flowers.

The production and possession of cannabis, known as mbanje, was previously punishable by 12 years in prison. Recreational use will remain illegal.

Applicants for a license must submit detailed plans of their production site and their expected yield, in addition to being a Zimbabwean citizen or resident. Individuals who have been convicted of violations of the Narcotics Act are not eligible to apply.

Zimbabwe’s decision marks a turning point in the country’s policy, which had remained very conservative on the issue until now. Lawmakers who advocated for legalization were often mocked. The debate over the legalization of medical cannabis arose as the country seeks new markets for its agricultural products, driven by Canadian producers.Zimbabwe is already one of Africa's largest tobacco producers and exports most of its production to China.

Lesotho has become the the first African country to legalize the production of medical cannabis Last year, when the’Medical use has become legal in South Africa a little earlier (though not yet at an industrial scale).