Pakistan takes historic steps for legalization and production of medicinal marijuana

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the first licence for industrial and medical use of hemp, Federal Minister for Science and technology Fawad Chaudhry said.

The science minister termed the approval as a “landmark decision”, which will place Pakistan in the multibillion-dollar cannabidiol (CBD) market.

The cabinet okayed the first licence for Minister of Science and Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) in its meeting held today with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.

Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa plant species that is used in multiple things.

CBD, which is derived directly from the hemp plant, has several medical benefits and according to Harvard Health, it has been scientifically proven to be effective in treating some of the cruellest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications.

In several other studies, according to the journal, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases it was able to stop them altogether.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/305609-pakistan-approves-industrial-medical-use-of-hemp

 

[sweep_shot]

Medical marijuana?

Interesting move.

 

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan takes historic steps for legalization and production of medicinal marijuana

(Karachi) In a landmark move, the government has decided to legalize cultivation and production of medicinal marijuana in three districts of Sindh, Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The cabinet has also approved the first license for the Science and Technology Ministry and the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) for industrial and medical use of hemp.

As per details, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the Anti-Narcotics Control that marijuana could be used for medicinal and trade purposes and steps should be taken in this regard. Acting on PM’s directives, the Anti-Narcotics Control moved a summary to the cabinet which was approved.

As part of the summary, the crop will be grown legally in three areas that include an 18 Kanal land near Murree Expressway, 10 acre land in Haripur University, K-P and four acre land in Mirpur Sakro, Sindh.

Special security arrangements will also be in place in areas where cannabis would be grown to stop its misuse. Similarly, medicine produced from hemp will also be exported to other countries to generate revenue while amendments will also be carried out in Export Policy Order 2006.

Only government allowed to cultivate hemp

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has clarified that industrial hemp will only be cultivated under government control. He added that no other addictive substance apart from medicinal marijuana will be grown.

“Industrial hemp plant contains a compound called cannabidiol, which can play a very important role in medical therapies meant to mitigate severe and chronic pain,” he said.

Fawad highlighted that several countries including China and Canada are cultivating marijuana on tens of thousands of acres. “The plant’s seed is used to make hemp oil, the leaf is used in medicines, while the stem is used to make fibre that could one day replace cotton in the textile industry,” he stated.

Landmark decision

Earlier, taking to twitter handle Fawad Chaudhry termed government’s initiative as a “landmark decision” which will allow Pakistan access to billions of dollar cannabidiol market. He stated that the production of industrial hemp by the government could result in a $1 billion market for Pakistan.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is derived from cannabis plants, but does not cause users to get high. It focused on young patients with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. It is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/4001...ization-and-production-of-medicinal-marijuana

 

[Kianig89]

Landmark achievement will definitely bring economic boom in the country

 

[irfan]

very good & overdue decision to approve industrial hemp production, can bring many economic benefits. I agree with this lady's vid

 

[Nostalgic]

It’s about time. In Northwestern Punjab (Potohar, Salt Range etc), the herb grows profusely and with a mind of its own, commandeering any patch of land not devoted to construction. It is a hardy plant to thrive in an otherwise arid environment.

I remember how there was an empty plot next to our house, completely taken over by the plant, and every year we had to get a farmer from a nearby village to come in with his tractor, rip it out, and haul it away. He probably made quite a profit peddling it to the malangs at the nearby shrines.

Recreational use is more or less accepted anyhow, if not exactly legal.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Good move, should be good for the economy, and Hemp is helpful.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Haha good move. Charas is already widespread in Pakistan with the profits entirely going to the blackmarket. Legalizing it medically means effectively you are legalizing it completely (as it is easy to obtain fake prescriptions in Pakistan).

At least this way you are cutting into a share of the profits. Further, there is a large market for this industry internationally and South Asian hashish is known to have unique qualities. With other countries late on the trend to legalize, Pakistan can carve a large niche for itself in exporting it early and securing first-mover advantages.

 

[Syed1]

Not sure if hemp and marijuana are the same thing.

Fawwy in his press conference said this hemp is not addictive or could be used as 'nasha'



Also gotta give it to Choi saab when he was made S&T minister everybody laughed at him and made jokes but in just one short year as S&T minister he has achieved:

1. Local manufacturing of ventilators
2. From PPE and masks importer to now exporting to the world
3. Electric buses manufacturing
4. Moon sighting issue resolved
5. Drone manufacturing

 

[uberkoen]

This is a good move. I really hope they legalize alcohol next and tax it. The country can earn millions.

 

[CricketCartoons]

This is a good move. I really hope they legalize alcohol next and tax it. The country can earn millions.

Nice post that can take the discussion on a tangent.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

This is a good move. I really hope they legalize alcohol next and tax it. The country can earn millions.

While that would be a good move its unlikely to happen anytime soon. However Alcohol is already legal for non Muslims. And for Muslims its pretty much a dont ask dont tell policy.

 

[uberkoen]

While that would be a good move its unlikely to happen anytime soon. However Alcohol is already legal for non Muslims. And for Muslims its pretty much a dont ask dont tell policy.

Yes, but a lot of the alcohol consumed in the country is smuggled and not generating revenue for the country.

 

[Local.Dada]

That’s actually a very impressive and progressive step.

At what part of this implementation will we see the swarm of Mullahs finding verses to show how it is haraam and block this move?

 

[JaDed]

Hemp seeds are also a great source of ALA omega 3 fatty acids for vegetarians(below chia seeds though)

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another sixer by ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/MinistryofST?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MinistryofST</a>⁩ for legalising Hemp for medical & industrial use which in turn will generate revenues of >$1bn over nxt 3yrs. A new avenue of growth / revenue from nontraditional agriculture product. Well done ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fawadchaudhry</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/3C1FR4YQB5">https://t.co/3C1FR4YQB5</a></p>— Team Sarwar (@TeamSarwar) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamSarwar/status/1302285082183577601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Technics 1210]

I have been using CBD in the UK in forms of drops, oil, and vape, for a couple of years now.

I kid you not, it's the bees knees. Members of my family were having difficulty to sleep, and muscle pains. 2 drops a night before sleep, and it does wonders. Not only do they sleep like a baby but the muscular pain has subsided.

Strength 2500mg per 10ml with for myself, 1000mg per 10ml for the family.

 

[Technics 1210]

Haha good move. Charas is already widespread in Pakistan with the profits entirely going to the blackmarket. Legalizing it medically means effectively you are legalizing it completely (as it is easy to obtain fake prescriptions in Pakistan).

At least this way you are cutting into a share of the profits. Further, there is a large market for this industry internationally and South Asian hashish is known to have unique qualities. With other countries late on the trend to legalize, Pakistan can carve a large niche for itself in exporting it early and securing first-mover advantages.

You cannot get high on CBD full spectrum.

THC however is a different story.

 

[moghul]

Bad move. In USA more and more states are legalizing marijuana ,just for money and many recent studies have shown bad sides effects of long term use of marijuana , particularly on developing brains, people younger than 22 years of age and on older ones too.

Surprise to see not much reaction from Mullahs. I know any addiction is Haram , if marijuana is OK then whats wrong in legalizing alcohol, country will earn even more money.

 

[Nostalgic]

Bad move. In USA more and more states are legalizing marijuana ,just for money and many recent studies have shown bad sides effects of long term use of marijuana , particularly on developing brains, people younger than 22 years of age and on older ones too.

Surprise to see not much reaction from Mullahs. I know any addiction is Haram , if marijuana is OK then whats wrong in legalizing alcohol, country will earn even more money.

Hemp won’t make you high. It has no THC.

 

[moghul]

Legalize alcohol and prostitution also , will earn lots of revenue .

 

[Thomaskutty]

Legalize alcohol and prostitution also , will earn lots of revenue .

The former would be a good move. Alcohol tax is one of the biggest revenue earners for several indian states.

 

[Bigboii]

Legalize alcohol and prostitution also , will earn lots of revenue .

Pakistanis are one of the biggest consumers of Heroin on the planet (about $2 billion market)
legalization of heroin would also earn lots of revenue

https://thediplomat.com/2014/03/pakistan-the-most-heroin-addicted-country-in-the-world/

(no problem with marijuana though that's part of our culture in some shape or form for centuries)

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Legalize alcohol and prostitution also , will earn lots of revenue .

Alcohol should be legalized. Alcohol is legal for non Muslims. And most Muslims can buy it with a dont ask dont tell policy. However they can get more revenue if its legal.

 

[Pakpak]

Alcohol should be legalized. Alcohol is legal for non Muslims. And most Muslims can buy it with a dont ask dont tell policy. However they can get more revenue if its legal.

I remember in Pakistan I lived near a Christian colony, at night there were queues of policeman who'd park their bikes between thick thickets of bushes and trees and line up to buy illegal alcohol

One of my close friends was a Pakistani Christian and told me what you said ie anyone can get it easily.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

I remember in Pakistan I lived near a Christian colony, at night there were queues of policeman who'd park their bikes between thick thickets of bushes and trees and line up to buy illegal alcohol

One of my close friends was a Pakistani Christian and told me what you said ie anyone can get it easily.

Even the Mullahs drink. Here is one who was caught and declared it Halal in certain circumstances.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/6...t-on-alcohol-permissibility-invites-criticism

 

[daytrader]

GOVT TO FORM AUTHORITY TO REGULATE ‘BHANG’ PRODUCTION

Islamabad: Ministry of Science and Technology has decided to form an authority to regulate and facilitate the farming and usage of marijuana (Bhang), ARY News reported.

According to details, the authority would issues licences to producers and farmers to produce marijuana (Bhang) for medical and industrial usage. The license for marijuana (Bhang) production would be viable for 15 years.

The authority would issue five different kinds of licences including an industrial, medical, processing, research and development license. The special permit for the export of marijuana would be issued by the Department of Commerce.

The Science and Technology ministry would forward the policy to the cabinet for approval.

Earlier in Dec 2021, the PTI government’s Ministry of Science and Technology formulated Pakistan’s first hemp policy for the cultivation of Bhang for medicinal and industrial use.

Under the National Hemp Policy that has been forwarded to the federal cabinet for approval, the regulatory authority will be set up with a one-window operation to facilitate investors.

Science and Technology Minister Shibli Faraz said that the government had been receiving uncountable applications for the cultivation of hemp leaves. In the first phase, he added that 100 firms were given licences for the purpose.

He said the hemp policy has been formulated in consultation with all the stakeholders, including the education, commerce and anti-narcotics ministries.

https://arynews.tv/govt-to-form-authority-to-regulate-bhang-production/