Zimbabwe unveils its cannabis cultivation licenses

The Zimbabwean government has announced the three licenses that will allow, among other things, the cultivation of cannabis under the auspices of the’Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), the regulatory authority responsible for cannabis.

The Zimbabwe has legalized cannabis production for medical and scientific purposes in April 2018. The country announced last year that 37 local and private investors had expressed interest in growing cannabis.

This year, a policy change was implemented allowing investors to hold 100% medical cannabis licenses in order to enhance the sector’s competitiveness at both the regional and global levels. The AMA can now issue licenses granting the right to cultivate medical cannabis.

«The Authority may issue the following types of permits: a general grower’s permit, a research and breeding, »…and a commercial hemp license," according to Zimbabwean regulations.

A general grower's license authorizes the license holder to grow, process, and sell cannabis. The license may be restricted to specific varieties or apply only to industrial hemp.

The research and selection license allows for the cultivation of specific cultivars and varieties that are not approved for commercial cultivation.

A cannabis license allows the holder to sell cannabis in Zimbabwe. The cultivation of cannabis and related trade are permitted in Zimbabwe solely for medical and industrial purposes.

The use of cannabis remains illegal in Zimbabwe, and most commercial activities related to cannabis are prohibited from advertising.