KIGALI — Rwanda has joined several African Countries that are cashing in on the commercial production of Cannabis after President Kagame administration approved the cultivation and export of the world’s highest value therapeutic crop.
Rwanda Development Board highlighted that guidelines approved provide for “strict security measures designed to prevent illicit diversion or use of the product,” among other requirements.
Rwanda’s Minister of Health Dr Daniel Ngamije said that despite the government’s intention to profit from the production and export of marijuana, its use in the country is prohibited.
Clare Akamanzi the CEO Rwanda Development Board in a statement on Tuesday said Rwanda will begin to receive application for licenses from interested investors for this high-value therapeutic crop.
A Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Paul Kagame, on Monday approved regulatory guidelines on cultivation, processing, and export of “high-value therapeutic crops”.
“The regulatory guidelines approved by Cabinet on 13 October 2020 provide a framework for investment in the production and processing of medical cannabis in Rwanda for expert to growing global market,” Akamanzi said in a statement.
While appearing on the national television on Tuesday, Minister of Health Dr Daniel Ngamije, confirmed that Rwanda is working on licensing the commercial growth of the plant but only for medicinal reasons while recreational use of the drug will remain illegal.
He said that Cannabis is among the plants which were growing in Rwanda already which will now be grown commercially to facilitate research and the industrial manufacturing of medicines that come from those plants.
“This will not give an excuse for drug abusers and dealers. The law against narcotics is available and it will continue to be enforced,” Dr Ngamije was quoted as saying by local media.
A source privy to the developments told KT Press that the government will issue a detailed security plan which will ensure that the drug is not abused.
For one to engage in commercial production of Cannabis, they must be licensed by the Rwanda Food and Drug Authority (FDA), while production zones are expected to be under tight security on the farm and throughout the production chain. All products will be 100% exported.