Chilima champions push for medical marijuana: Malawi veep says ‘rope, not dope’
Vice-President Saulos Chilima has said he is championing the farmining of medical marijuana , saying it fetches more money on the international market which would boost Malawi’s economy.
Chilima said when he addressed a political rally of his UTM party in central region Indian Hemp growing district of Nkhotakota on Saturday.
“As UTM we want to look at the possibilities of using industrial marijuana for medical purposes as well as for farming. I hope you understand this clearly. There are different types of marijuana. In some countries, it is used for making medicine. Both the farming and the use of it are controlled.
“As UTM, we want to look into the possibility of doing the same here. We want to carry out research to see whether it is a viable trade for us, Malawians. I am talking about industrial marijuana – I hope you understand that clearly. I have not said start smoking it,” said Chilima.
He said there is a high demand of the herb, also known as cannabis sativa, saying Malawi should not be missing out of the opportunity.
It is estimated that one kilogramme of industrial hemp, fetches about K32 000 on the market and that there is potential direct annual benefit to Malawians in excess of K3 billion on 16.5 hectares.
Currently, Zimbabwe, Morrocco and South Africa are among African countries reported to have legalised the growing of industrial hemp.
Chilima, who broke ranks with the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to form the UTM said he will push to allow hemp farming to happen.
A Canadian investor in the cannabis industry, Graham MacKintosh of Green Quest Farmaceuticals, has since called on the country to legalise Indian hemp, for medical purposes to replace tobacco .
“There is a worldwide phenomenon taking place to legalise cannabis. If we can grow hemp on the higher side the economic benefits will be more than the normal tobacco but let us make sure the industry is regulated,” he said
He explained that there is a lot of value in using cannabis especially cannabidiol (CBD), a naturally occurring cannabinoid constituent of cannabis, which helps with pain relief, acts as an anti-seizure, combats anxiety and fights cancer.
“In the next three years, it is estimated that the demand for CBD oils will grow by 700 percent. So this is an opportunity Malawi should not miss,” MacKintosh said.
Parliament gave a go ahead for trials of industrial hemp at Chitedze Research Station and in Salima as studies are still ongoing on whether it can become a viable export product.
Among other issues at the rally, Chilima urged the people to keep safe their registration certificates so that they can vote next year.
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The best caption should have been ” VP joins those championing” or ” throws his weight ” etc coz some of us re ignited the debate in 2015 in parliament, fought for its legalisation against all odds until it was accepted by the national Assembly on 16th June 2016 and further helped investors to get govts nod to do trials for both Industrial as well as medical cannabis at Chitedze and Chitala in Salima. What remains now is for legislations to change in order for the licences to be given to investors . I have done this coz a Malawi are fond of distorting facts komanso “Fumbi ndiwe mwini”. If I don’t my tell story no one will. Pali wina who was introduced into the process at the end in one of the trials we fought for but now he is posing as if he is the one who championed everything to the extent that its him and no one elsre driving it.
Up to now Saulos Chilima has not explicitly explained how he will solve the problems of this country apart from isolated remedies. Malawi needs a comprehensive solution pack osati izi za peace metal.
Zongokopera, just two weeks ago ena ananenapo kale zimenezi, ndiponso nkhani yake inalembedwa pa nyasatimes pompano. Watha mfundo eti? Mmene akuthamangitsa ku cabinet meetings ukusowa chobweretsa poiyera pano. Waba nfundo za chakwera pano wati ube mfundo za mabungwe.
oMachemba said he would be in KK to take some notes:-
Looking at the body language in the pictures. See anyone smiling or laughing? No.
You can’t really see the background clearly, but those of us who were there walked around, and we can assure you what you in the foreground was the standard du jour. There was no excitement or joie de vivre on both the organizers AND the audience.
In the foreground, notably, one young lady is looking in the bluish sky; apparently there was a stationary object more attractive to look at than to listen to the VP’s speech. And the lady next to her seems to be suffering from pain, may be as migraine headache – poor lady. In stead of getting a soothing speech? Not finished yet – and the guy in the red T-shirt and backpack, just lounging around.
Indeed there is nobody in the photo that can be described as animated. Why? A thousand flies cannot be wrong – suggesting the fault was probably with the message and the messengers.
UTM (NOT buss company – you see, no insults apa) are slowly realizing it’s one thing to organize a political msonkhano, but it’s another to have the right people turn up; enthusiasm cannot be forced, imposed or faked. Clearly, there was no such there and then.
The organizers, their leaders and lieutenants must go back to the drawing board, or at least redraw the strategies, and rethink the tactics.
Time is the enemy here, so ardent supporters, even those of you, the smart literati on-line, advise your Party, and show what you are made of. Believe me, you will be respected when you succeed. But success is unlikely, the way the trajectory appears; and considering how much time is available to accomplish the various chores before election day.
FINALLY: oMachemba promised On Degree of Commitment – those who would commit to vote for Chilima and UTM at this juncture.
Three “enumerators’ or samplers took random samples of 30 apparent potential voters after the msonkhano. The records were 4/30, 3/30 and 4/30 respectively. Maybe respectable for UTM as this is typical MCP territory. But then again, maybe this is the stasis already established for their support outside the major cities.
But since elections are won outside the major cities, and considering that no Party is shut out of city victories, it probably fair to ask if UTM can win the election, let alone the Presidency, with these numbers.
Maybe it’s time to close up the shop, before losing the shirt on the back.
Innovative ideas, not stuck in the past. Thats what we need from Malawian leaders in all spheres.
mumaona ngati azikupangila analyze inuyo ma cadet oocha magalimoto nu
ziko likakale LA ma cadet kuocha magalimoto zachibwana basi
ma cadet inu mulibe mfundo inu , nkani izingokala ndamanga miseu ndama ma sukulu ife timadya masukuluwo ndi misewu, ndalayo sakupanga kampain anyamata ndamene akutamanga tamanga achina nankumwa, opanda certificate or ya JC alibe atiuza chani ife , ucadet wanu ukuta pa 21 may 2019
I think serious commentary is appropriate on this topic as presented by Chilima, and this is because he is not seriously analyzing and presenting the subject with rigor.
His discourse is disjointed and disorganized; and he seems to be jumping the gun, so to speak, by getting his speeches ahead of his thoughts, and even farther ahead of reasonable analysis. He seems to be mixed up, and not clear as to what he’s talking about, and therefore, what he is advocating.
Consider the following:-
– “We want to carry out research …”
– “I hope you understand that clearly. I have not said start smoking it”
– Malawi should not be missing out on the economic opportunity presented by the herb.
– “There is a worldwide phenomenon to legalize cannabis. If we can grow hemp ….”
Lots to unpack … but briefly:-
Clearly, hemp is not the same as consumable marijuana. Growing hemp for industrial use is doable, and the government has already given Chitedze the green light to do some “silviculture” research towards that end.. So, Chilima has nothing new here.
Marijuana cultivation is clearly ILLEGAL in this country, as is its consumption by various forms and by various routes. In that context, it makes no difference whether we are talking about THC or CBD – the 2 main relevant active ingredients in C. sativa. So, Chilima should consider decriminalization first, then legalization in that order. This takes years: there is no quick fix unless the decision is imposed from a dictatorship. This is almost a non starter in a most CONSERVATIVE Malawian society. So far, only Columbia and Canada have legalized the recreational use of Marijuana, even though medicinal use is legal in many countries.
Malawi cannot (repeat cannot) afford to do serious research in medical uses of marijuana! Malawi cannot afford to do the serious research in medicinal chemistry or even basic pharmacology! Simple as that.
Let the rich countries do the research, and we can then piggyback on their successes, by exporting the raw materials like the crude oils. But there will not be big money in these exports (of raw materials) – we’ve been there before. In an earlier life, in middle management in the Pharmaceutical business, in the a first world economy, the President of our company always reminded us that trail blazing in business is VERY expensive; and it should be left to only the richest companies. It was true then, and it’s true today. Likewise, trailblazing in the marijuana industry and business should be left to rich companies and the super rich countries.
So, it is disingenuous for Chilima and UTM to woo votes this way in KK, the HEMP (not marijuana) growing capital of Malawi.
Is Chilima pulling a Trump here, by mixing up issues, or is he actually mixed up himself? Or, equally bad, is he simply peddling in “alternative” facts, like Trump?
It would be helpful for Chilima to have a clear idea in his own mind before making meaningless statements in public … thinking kuti tonse ndi makape.
This augury for cloudy thinking might have been evident from the BBC HARDtalk interview with Zaina Bidawi, a couple of weeks ago. And, apparently, we do not have reason to expect anything different in the next five months of campaigning.
He didn’t say medical reasearch in use of medical marijuana,he said reasearch in the viability of exporting mariajuana to countries that allow use of the same for medicinal purposes. Its a trade issue. I dont think you read the article properly.
Keep in mind the speech was in chichewa to a rural audience, some illiterate. What you are reading here is reporters translation. I saw the live speech, it was clear.
@BigMan:
I tentatively accept your assertion with respect.
But first, if you can forward me the Chichewa copy of the speech, easy since you are UTM, that would be appreciated. Or even the website. Bwana Chilima is tech savvy, he says, so he must have a depository website, one would think.
Second, Chilima shouldn’t take villagers as makape. There are thinkers and analysts among them too, so he should strive to be logical , truthful and realistic. Otherwise some of these promises will blow up, figuratively, in his face. The VP, especially him as a young upstart, must show respect, even deference, when addressing all groups, not only to the ones in suits, neckties and matching shoes and belts.
Otherwise, he runs the risk of being called elitist, even by villagers.
Koma chamba mpaka? Profit yes but will you be able to handle the effects? Dont be excited Saulosi
Well said this man is a genius indeed.Uli ndi vision ayise.
UTM idza fufuza pamene anzanu azakafufuku chaka chino chachitatu alikalikiliki kufufuza zimene mukunenazo. Nyumba ya malamulo idaloleza kale kale kuti Department of Agriculture Research ipange kafukufuku. UTM idzafufuza ngati ndani? UTM ndi bungwe lakafukufuku? Mwasiya ndale? Mumangogonamo m’mbomatu etiKKKKKKKKKKK
Ena akuti adzafufuza pamene tikulankhula pano boma liri nkati kufufuza ku chitedze. Sorry Saulosi ukukhala ngati suli mmalawi momunotu
Again under the influence, he thought that the voter registration people are issued with ballot papers. He the advised people “to not sell their ballot papers that they received when they registered. Ballot papers or or vote registration cards….my foot!
His speech was in chichewa, grow up.
You dimwit…….did he mention ballot papers in Chichewa? What did Bebe call them?
its very easy to legalise and start growing industrial hemp.. But How do you asure us , Malawians that we will benefit from this cannabis , as you know already, in Malawi , farmers are robbed day light, due to poor prices offered by companies. Business people think always think that Malawian farm products,should be bought at low prices,, there by making local farmers poor. Its all about poor political wiil and luck of national government intervention.
Do you want Malawians to grow hemp inorder to develop western countries ,,or ,do you want to change lives if local africans..
They are already robbying tobacco.. Wakeup Malawi
Bebe SKC was so full of hot air in Nkhotakota. Perhaps under the influence of Cannabis which promoted as a Nkhotakota commercial crop for the consumption of “azungu”. He says Nkhotakota should look like port cities of Dar es Salaam, Durban etc. He thinks the basis is the proximity to the Nyanja. He clearly does not understand the difference between lake and ocean….kkkkkkkkkkk
I listened to Saulosi speech in KK. The guy is empty headed. Being a VP of the country he is unable to know government policies on education, health ,infrastructure development among others. He is not even aware that the American government has pledged to build 200 schools under this lesdership of APM and yet he is in government. No wonder people stopped clapping hands because they did not find anything worthy the salt.
Very true to regalise chamba kazikoka kazatukuka sizina oneke ulimi wafodya it’s just useless panopo
Paja akulunu mumayankhula za chamba ndi kale. One million jobs on chamba farms. Chamba tenants. Chilima alibe mfundo. Bodza like Bakili. Sungakambe izi with Zeinab Badawi.
Kaliati received otuwa defectors from MCP and made them nunkhitsa thukuta to bebe…kkkkkkkk
Oh my God! UTM ….Chilima’s Chamba government! Anthu akayamba kuzungulira mutu zitha bwanji?
DPP imadana ndikuti mitundu ina ilemere koma ALhomwe alhomwe mophiya.
iiiiii nanunso zomwe mwalemba apazi zikugwirizana bwanji ndi nkhani yomwe yalembedwa apapayi? Kodi alhomwe anakulakwirani chiyani? Iwe ndiyedi kanyimbi weniweni baasi.