Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Malawi Parliament Okays Cultivation of Cannabis

Lameck Masina

   BLANTYRE - In Malawi, parliament has passed a bill which allows
   cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes. Backers
   of the bill say cannabis will boost the economy, which is largely
   dependent on tobacco. Anti-drug campaigners and religious conservatives
   say the move will encourage recreational use of marijuana.

   Former lawmaker Boniface Kadzamira first brought the cannabis bill to
   parliament in 2014 amid opposition from fellow parliamentarians.

   Now, Kadzamira says he feels vindicated.

   "I am very happy that finally the bill has passed because when I was
   starting this issue people thought I was crazy," he said. "They called
   me names. The national assembly, in fact, the first day laughed at me;
   they booed at me. But I was determined because I had the facts on my
   fingertips."

   Kadzamira says the facts included research showing that hemp-- a
   non-drug product of cannabis -- can be used to produce soap, lighting
   oil, medicines and other useful products.

   Malawi is now one of five southern African countries -- along with
   Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho and South Africa-- that have legalized
   industrial hemp. South Africa went a step further in 2018 by
   decriminalizing recreational use of cannabis.

.