Malawi has joined the list of southern African countries that have legalised the growing, selling and export of cannabis.
But the country still restricts the legalization of cannabis for personal use, unlike in South Africa where the courts allowed for cannabis for personal use.
Per the latest changes to the country’s laws, cannabis will be used to make medicines and hemp fibres.
Hemp fibres are used to make clothes, biofuel, paper and other products.
Malawi depends heavily on tobacco trade but the Cannabis sales could supplement that and boost its revenue streams.
Southern African countries, including Zambia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have all relaxed their rules on growing cannabis.
There are many for instance in South Africa who consider legalizing Cannabis use as dangerous for the population especially young people.
When Zimbabwe legalized the cultivation of Cannabis, it offered license to individuals and companies willing to grow the substance.
$50 000 is what it takes for people to acquire the licence to grow the plant.
Growers will also be required to pay an annual return fee of $15,000 while an application to renew a producer’s licence will cost $20,000.
A licence to also conduct research on cannabis has been set at $5,000 while an application for renewal of a licence to conduct research on cannabis will cost $2,500.
If one wants an application for variation or amendment of a licence, that would also cost $2,500 and an application for import or export licence will cost $5,000 and if you want an inspection licence you have to pay $2 500.
It appears many countries in Africa have started considering decriminalizing the growing of the plant due to its economic gains.
Source: Africafeeds.com
