Pakistan is trying to strengthen its economy by exporting and selling cannabis domestically. Photo | Express
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has reportedly decided to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes to overcome the economic crisis the country is currently facing.
Pakistan passed an ordinance in February establishing the Cannabis Control and Regulation Authority (CCRA) to manage and control cannabis cultivation and trade.
The regulator is made up of 13 members, including officials from various government departments, intelligence agencies and the private sector. The establishment of such a body was first proposed in 2020 when Imran Khan was prime minister, reports Mathrubhumi newspaper.
Pakistan is trying to strengthen its economy through exports and domestic sales. According to a report by the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan’s economic growth rate remains low.
According to United Nations law, if a country wants to produce, process or trade cannabis-related products, it must have a federal agency to manage the cannabis supply chain. Those who abuse the law for recreational purposes face stiff fines. For individuals, the fine ranges from PKR 1 million to PKR 10 million, and for companies, it ranges from PKR 1 billion to PKR 200 billion. The license is provided by the Government of Pakistan.
