ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday granted approval for the domestication and commercialisation of medicinal and industrial cannabis and hemp at the Herbal Medicine Park in Jhelum.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, while taking to Twitter, said that the cabinet has approved the first licence for industrial and medical use of hemp, which is a variety of cannabis that is grown specifically for the industrial use of its derived products.
The science and technology minister called it a landmark decision that will help Pakistan enter the billion-dollar Cannabidiol (CBD) market.
The hemp will be cultivated on a 50-acre area at Jehlum’s Herbal Medicine Park.
According to sources, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) on June 19, 2020 was advised to seek approval of the federal cabinet for the cultivation of hemp and cannabis, which is required under Section 4 of Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Narcotics Control held a meeting including relevant stakeholders from the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, and the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination.
A meeting was also held at the Ministry of Narcotics Control which was co-chaired by Minister for Narcotics Control Azam Khan Swati and Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Hussain Chaudhary.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has expressed keen interest in the cultivation of industrial hemp for scientific and medicinal purposes.
According to sources the Ministry of Science and Technology will separately submit PC-I for the up-gradation of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) laboratory and security of the project through the Ministry of Planning and Development.
Earlier, the Narcotics Control Division had asked the cabinet to grant permission for the cultivation of industrial hemp for scientific and medicinal purposes to the Ministry of Science and Technology. The permission will be regulated under the prescribed rules and international conventions.
One of the worst decisions made by this government. How come you allow cultivation of such prohibited items as per shariah. Grow more wheat, rice, and other crops. Increase exports of fruits, vegetables and meat. Why on earth you choose cannabis for this purpose.
People are living in poverty and they need government help to go forward. The government has to look at all options as to how they can get Pakistan out of poverty. Make money how and where you can and don’t be narrow minded.
Umeed is a typical extremist Pakistani wife beater. How bout you smoke some dope and chill out.
The entire world is levering Cannabis for medicinal & industrial purposes. I’m really glad that Pakistan Govt. finally made this decision.
Please Do some research about “Industrial Hemp” before you comment anything foolish.
Who is foolish. A person who think bad about every decision of government after google search or the organizations of the country who after detailed study took the decision.
Great decision. Maybe a chance for some entrepreneurs to formally contribute
Am Waheed Hussain from Multan se mujhe job ki sakht zarorat Hain Meri aik beti hain main buhat pary Shan hun
Balance is the key on this issue. Slowly people consider hemp products for alternatives but the government must know the top priorities.