Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-29 06:59:18
The Cannabis Regulation (Amendment) Bill has been a hotly contested topic in Parliament recently, as it seeks to legalize the production and commercialization of local chamba. This bill was passed despite the absence of opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members, who walked out of the House in protest against the tabling of the bill.
Yusuf Nthenda, the DPP spokesperson, explained that the DPP lawmakers walked out because they believed the bill should be thoroughly scrutinized before being passed. They felt that consultations with other stakeholders were necessary before moving forward, but the government and other members disagreed with their position.
Despite the absence of DPP members, government MPs, along with some DPP MPs who followed expelled Leader of the Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa, independent MPs, and UDF members proceeded to pass the bill. Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda emphasized that things cannot always go the DPP’s way and clarified that the bill does not legalize the smoking of chamba, but rather focuses on licensing the growing, transporting, and selling of chamba for industrial and medicinal use.
The private member who brought the motion on the bill, Peter Dimba, expressed excitement about the bill’s passing. He highlighted the economic benefits that could come from legalizing the cultivation of local cannabis sativa, criticizing a previous law that discriminated against Malawi’s variety of chamba. Dimba sees the bill as an opportunity to tap into the global market and boost the country’s economic growth.
Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda also emphasized the economic potential of legalizing local chamba, citing estimates that it could generate as much as $700 million annually if exported. This revenue could create jobs, increase income for Malawians, and provide much-needed forex for the economy.
In contrast, Dimba mentioned that the approval of foreign cannabis varieties in 2020 has not yielded significant benefits for the country, largely due to a lack of markets and other challenges.
Overall, the passing of the Cannabis Regulation (Amendment) Bill marks a significant step towards legalizing and regulating the production and commercialization of local chamba in Malawi. Proponents believe it has the potential to boost the economy, create jobs, and capitalize on the global demand for Malawi’s unique variety of cannabis.
Read the original article on The Times
