The Govt of Rwanda expects to generate significant export revenues and employment opportunities.Marijuana Legalized In Rwanda
Marijuana Legalized In Rwanda
Neighboring Rwanda has finally followed in the footsteps of Uganda and other African nations to legalize the use of Cannabis aka Marijuana for medical purposes.
This development simply implies means the country will now deal in mass production and export of Marijuana .
On Monday lists guidelines for the growing, processing, exporting and medical use of marijuana and its products was declared in a Ministerial Order governing Cannabis.
The new Ministerial Order No 003/MoH/2021 of 25/06/2021 Relating to the Cannabis and Cannabis Products stipulates that “any investor or person who is committed to perform any activity of cultivation, processing, importation, export and use of Cannabis and Cannabis products, for medical or research purposes” is eligible to do so.
The fresh law lists 8 available licences and activities allowed under each licence, which will be valid for five years.
Aspiring investors must have high-level security to their establishments such as double-layered fencing, ensuring patrol control in between the two layers of the fence, hiring a licensed private security service company to secure the facility 24 hours a day, security lighting, video surveillance cameras, watchtowers, an intrusion detection system, a communication control room, bright signage, among others.
Marijuana Legalized In Rwanda
Not adhering to the guidelines will result in an administrative fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf50 million (Approximately $1015-$50,787). If the offence is repeated, the fine payable is doubled.
Article 18 of the order states that “The competent authority suspends a licence if the license holder does not comply with provisions of the Order and those of relevant laws or regulations.”
However, the consumption of weed for fun purposes is still considered illegal in Rwanda with harsh penalties imposed on those dealing in illegal production, distribution and consumption.
According to Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Government of Rwanda expects the sector to generate significant export revenues and employment opportunities in high-value agriculture and agro-processing.
Rwanda joins African countries like Lesotho, Morocco, Uganda and Zimbabwe that have legalised medical use of marijuana.
