EXPEDITE MARIJUANA COMMERCIALISATION

GOVERNMENT

should expedite formulation of statutes to guide growing and export of marijuana for medicinal and commercial purposes, the Zambia Jubilee Coalition (ZJC) has said.

ZJC Secretary General, Kwaela Mwanza, said Government should quickly formalise the growing and export of medicinal marijuana.

"As Zambia Jubilee Coalition, we call upon Government to make necessary steps with regards to the resolutions they made during the Cabinet meeting which was held on the 4th of December, 2019.

“Government agreed to formulate necessary statutes to regulate growth and production of marijuana for medical use and avoid its abuse," Mr Mwanza said.

He said marijuana could change the economic outlook of the country and help narrow the poverty gap between the rich and the poor.

Zambia, he said, was in dare need of infrastructure and marijuana could just turn out to be the major contributor to much needed revenue to build infrastructure, pay national debts and sustain economic growth.

Mr Mwanza said the country has plenty of unutilised land which can be used to grow high value crops such as marijuana.

"What we need are statutes that will stiffen the penalties if the crop in abused and invest heavily in community sensetisation and restrictions on who should be allowed to have access or obtain the license to possession, grow and produce the crop," he said.

Mr Mwanza said the companies and individuals found abrogating the rules and laws regarding marijuana growing, production and marketing must not only have their licenses revoked but prosecuted and punished severely.

"This is the right time to make use of

Green Party President, Comrade Peter Sinkamba and make him head a team of experts from aligned fields of study such as health, agriculture, economics, The Drug enforcement, faith based organization, investors, civil society groups and social work," he said.