Zimbabwe has become the second African country to legalize marijuana for medical and scientific purposes
Zimbabwe has legalised production of cannabis for medicinal or scientific use, according to new regulations seen by AFP Saturday.
Dr David Parirenyatwa, the country’s health minister, said in a government notice that individuals and businesses would be able to apply for licences to cultivate cannabis for medicinal or scientific use.
“An application shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee and three copies of a plan of the site proposed to be licensed,” read part of the regulations.
Individual producers must be citizens of the country or have proof that they are residents while companies must produce proof of incorporation in Zimbabwe, the regulations said.
The licence is valid for five years and should be renewed, if necessary, before expiry.
Producers intending to “possess, produce, sell, provide, ship, deliver, transport or deliver cannabis at more than one site” will require a separate licence.
Those previously convicted of drug offences will not be allowed to apply.
Production and use of cannabis were illegal in Zimbabwe although the herb is widely used in traditional medicine to treat conditions like asthma, epilepsy and mental illness while some people use it as a recreational drug and, supposedly, to make their hair grow quicker.
Production or possession of large quantities of cannabis attracted up to 12 years in jail. Recreational use will still remain illegal.
h/t ENCA
image – pixabay
