The Malawi Parliament has approved Private Members Bill No.1 of 2024: The Cannabis Regulation (Amendment), which permits the regulated growth of locally cultivated Cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as industrial hemp, to leverage its benefits at home and abroad. This bill, subjected to thorough examination and debate during a budget session on Thursday, highlights the intricacies involved in the legalization of industrial hemp for medicinal and industrial use.
In an interview, Peter Dimba, the Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South who advocated for the bill, expressed enthusiasm about its passage, emphasizing its historic importance and potential economic impact. He noted that industrial hemp could generate annual revenues exceeding 1 to 4 billion dollars for Malawi within a decade, provided there is support for infrastructure and production. "We aim to legalize the controlled and regulated cultivation of local cannabis. Although we initiated cannabis cultivation five years ago, it faced discrimination despite its high global demand due to its properties," he stated.
Dimba further noted that extensive consultations had taken place over the past four years and anticipates presidential assent for the bill. Leader of the House, Richard Chimwendo Banda, clarified that the bill does not legalize the transportation or usage of cannabis for recreational purposes and that only licensed individuals can grow cannabis.
Banda emphasized that it is crucial for Malawians to realize that the cultivation of chamba will remain prohibited. Notably, chamba, or recreational marijuana, cannot be cultivated alongside industrial hemp, as they are distinct varieties. Any illegal crops are strictly prohibited from growing near industrial hemp and it is impossible to grow recreational marijuana in the same region. Nevertheless, the proposed bill will permit controlled cultivation to safeguard against attempts at misuse and safeguard the well-being of young people.
United Democratic Front spokesperson Nedson Poya highlighted the high costs of licensing, underscoring the necessity for fair advantages for local farmers. These benefits could potentially spawn new industries in textiles, food, oils, medicine, building materials, paper, and rope. However, Poya emphasized that the bill is designed to support the medicinal use of CBD oil rather than encouraging smoking among the youth. He noted that one would have to consume 500 pounds of hemp to experience a high, which is practically impossible as smoke inhalation would be lethal long before any intoxication could occur.
Countries outside the continent often advocate for slowing down the hemp industry as it could shift the balance of power and also nourish millions, given that hemp is among the most nutritious food sources on Earth. Hemp seeds are consumable and packed with nutrients, boasting a high fiber content. Additionally, these seeds are rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients for heart and skin health. Hemp is a remarkable plant; it requires only a fraction of the water needed for cotton, every part of it is valuable, and it absorbs more carbon dioxide per hectare than many other crops and most trees.
Hemp, an eco-friendly plant cultivated for millennia, has versatile uses in food, biofuels, textiles, and even construction materials. With increasing recognition of its benefits, the global hemp market is projected to reach $18.6 billion by 2027, nearly quadrupling its value since 2020, according to a recent UNCTAD report. "The expanding hemp market presents considerable economic prospects for all nations to leverage," states Marco Fugazza, an economist at UNCTAD and co-author of the report. "Given its renewable nature, these opportunities are also sustainable, which is crucial as nations strive to enhance their economies without compromising environmental integrity," he adds.
The report titled "Commodities at a Glance: Special Issue on Industrial Hemp" emphasizes the unexplored trade potential. Approximately 40 countries produced around 285,000 tons of raw or semi-processed industrial hemp in 2020, based on the most recent statistics. However, only four countries represent over half of the worldwide production, with China at the forefront, followed by France, Canada, and the United States and they don't like competition especially from Africa where hemp cultivation originated.
In Ancient Kemet, the use of hemp for textiles dates back 5,000 years, and the medicinal use of cannabis spans over a millennium. While various early cultures cultivated cannabis, Kemet, and later the ancient Egyptians, demonstrated a comprehensive utilization of the plant. It is even suggested that cannabis, referred to as shemshemet in Egyptian hieroglyphs, gained popularity prior to the construction of the great pyramids.
Medicinal cannabis was not only utilized in ancient Kemet but also served as the sacred anointing oil of the Hebrews. Cannabis was recognized as one of the most effective and potent plant-based medical remedies in ancient times. Its combined abilities to alleviate pain and promote healing probably contributed to its popularity among healer scribes of antiquity. Traces of the plant have been detected in Egyptian artifacts dating back over 4,500 years.
Circa 2000 BCE, cannabis salves were reportedly used for treating eye sores and glaucoma. Modern science has investigated these ancient practices and found that cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce intraocular pressure, potentially benefiting conditions like glaucoma. Egyptologist Lise Manniche, in her book 'An Ancient Egyptian Herbal,' mentions that texts from the 18th century BCE advised the cultivation of medicinal cannabis.
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