KAMPALA — Cabinet, which is the top policy determining body of the ruling government is concluding studies on legalizing the commercial growing of marijuana in the Uganda.
According to Ministry of Health, fourteen companies that have applied to acquire license to grow medical cannabis for export will have to wait until early 2020 for a final decision.
A subcommittee chaired by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda is working on a final document to seal the legalization as Uganda allegedly gets overwhelmed by foreign companies seeking to deal in medical Marijuana.
Dr. Opendi reveal that cabinet sitting at State House Entebbe, discussed the matter extensively and a cabinet subcommittee chaired PM Rugunda is in place to critically look at issues of enforcement and regulations.
“We are hopeful that early next year we should be able to receive a report from this cabinet subcommittee and thereafter we should be able to make a decision,” Opendi told media.
President Yoweri Museveni is known to be a strong supporter of the proposal to grow Marijuana in Uganda and in August this year, he launched a cannabis growing company, the Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd.
Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd, a private firm working with an Israel company, Together Pharma Ltd, has since commenced commercial growing and processing of marijuana from its Kasese facility.
And though marijuana is banned at the national level, a number cannabis companies are increasing their presence in Uganda to gain entry to a market, even when the authorities are still grappling with the idea of how to regulate the growing of medical marijuana.
Media reports indicate government is pressed by some of these powerful marijuana companies to endorse the proposals.
City tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia through his Premier Hemp has also shown interest in taking one of the lucrative businesses.
Dr. Opendi said the proposals will by a subcommittee will be presented early next year.
