The State Minister for Agriculture, Christopher Kibazanga has backed the growth of medical marijuana in Uganda terming it as a new gold mine which can hastily turn around the country’s economy.
He says the growth and production of marijuana is profitable business as long as government builds capacity to regulate, secure safe environment for the sector.
“The advantages of getting into this kind of business outweigh the disadvantages, there are a lot of jobs that will be created and huge revenue to be collected, but of course we need to trend carefully. There are a lot of other countries that are already planting and exporting marijuana without affecting the public so I believe if well regulated, this is a sector that can do wonders for Uganda,” said Kibazanga.
Tens of foreign firms have expressed interest to invest in marijuana growth (medicine cannabis) but are yet to secure licenses from government.
This website understands that cabinet is still debating on how to regulate marijuana.
“The advantages of getting into this kind of business outweigh the disadvantages, there are a lot of jobs that will be created and huge revenue to be collected, but of course we need to trend carefully. There are a lot of other countries that are already planting and exporting marijuana without affecting the public so I believe if well regulated, this is a sector that can do wonders for Uganda,” added Minister Kibazanga.
He argues that: “What we need in place now are strict policies and guidelines, control institution like policy and regulators, and of course an organized plan on where, how and when these plants can be cultivated, produced and exported without inflating the local market. If this is not done, Uganda could become another Mexico, with the rates of drug use and crimes out of control.”
Mr. Kibazanga was speaking to the media at Munyonyo.
Junior Minister of Investment Evelyn Anite last month halted license which had earlier been awarded to Together Pharma Limited, an Israel company, that has a partnership with Industrial Hemp Uganda to grow medicinal marijuana in Kaseses, Busongora North County, Hima town council.
