Issue commencement orders of Hemp and Cannabis Acts, Govt told

FARMERS have expressed concern at the delay in the signing and commencement of the Cannabis and Hemp Acts of 2021.

The Zambian Hemp Growers and Industries Association (ZamHemp) has advised the government to expedite the matter.

In an interview, ZamHemp president, Peter Sinkamba said Government must stop going in circles and ensure that the process was expedited to allow for the cultivation and marketing of the economic spinner.

He was commenting on a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Director Policy and Planning, Ms Peggy Mulewa in an article published in the Daily Nation Newspaper in December last year in which she said that the regulations to govern the production of Marijuana would soon be announced as progress has been made.

She said the bill was sent to parliament and assented to by the previous government.

Mr. Sinkamba was happy to note that the director acknowledged that the bill was already assented to, but wondered why the government was being slow to actualise the Act.

He said the government was taking the process back to what was already done by the previous government.

He pointed out that contrary to her claim that the regulations for seed and marketing were not included in the Acts, he insisted that the regulations were already included.

According to Mr. Sinkamba, the drafts were already done and have been lying idle since May last year.

He said the Cannabis Act No. 33 of 2021 and Industrial

Hemp Act No. 34 of 2021 were assented to by former President, Edgar Lungu on May 19, 2021.

Mr. Sinkamba therefore wondered when the respective ministers will sign the commencement orders.

He also said that the relevant statutory instruments also need to be signed by the respective ministers.

Mr. Sinkamba urged the government to expedite the process so that the country can begin to reap the benefits of what he described as an economic spinner.