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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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,… Read more »
Koma chamba mpaka? Profit yes but will you be able to handle the effects? Dont be excited Saulosi