By Joseph Dumbula
Members of Parliament in Malawi have emphatically supported a motion by member of Parliament for Lilongwe South Peter Dimba that the house should amend the cannabis regulations to legalize cultivation of the local cannabis sativa (marijuana) locally known as chamba.
Most contributors have argued that the crop is an economic crop which can bring fortunes to the country, in terms of forex generation.
However, Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda has warned the members to avoid supporting the motion out of excitement saying there is a lot to consider before bringing the Bill to legalize Chamba.
“Much as we all know the economic value of cannabis, we must keep in mind that we have generations to protect, we have societies to protect so there is need for a wider consultation on the regulations to be used,” he said.
On his part, another Member of Parliament Ben Phiri said Malawi acts in an opposite manner where it has an opportunity to generate income from Chamba but instead it spends money arresting and prosecuting those found with the crop.
He also wondered why when other countries are making money from Chamba, Malawi through the Malawi Police Service, is known for burning huge volumes of confiscated Chamba.
When moving the motion, Dimba explained that the Bill seeks to iron out other operational challenges currently being met by the industry, in the production of cannabis.
He said the current Act has several shortfalls which include the failure of the Act to regulate the locally produced variety of Cannabis, and the short duration of licenses issued under the Act.
“In the short and long term, these shortfalls have the potential of making Malawi a very unattractive investment destination, as well as inhibiting the general participation of local farmers in the cannabis business.” Dimba explained.
But he told the house that the Cannabis legalization is not for recreation, emphasising that the bill is aimed at addressing the shortfalls in the Act, thereby promoting local participation in the cannabis industry and also harnessing the advantages that Malawi has, with the Cannabis Regulation Act enacted and came into operation in 2020.
