Rwanda legalizes cannabis for medical export

By Maniraguha Ferdinand

Rwandan government has legalized production of marijuana, with aim of exporting it for medical use.

on Tuesday 13^th October, Minister of Health Dr Ngamije Daniel was quoted by state media  saying  that such move will not promote illegal use of marijuana, because there will be tough regulations on its production.

“It will not be a room for  those who grow or use it illegally. We have already a law which punishes use of illegal drugs, It will continue to be in place”, he said.

Not enough information were given by officials however among decisions that were approved  during  the cabinet meeting that chaired by President Paul Kagame on Monday, 12^th October, one of them is “regulatory guidelines on cultivation, processing and export of high value therapeutic  crops in Rwanda”.

The global market for medical cannabis is currently estimated at $150 billion and could reach $272 billion in 2028, according to Barclays Bank.

Rwanda joins a handful of other African countries that have already legalized marijuana including South Africa , Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho among others.