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Pakistan’s First Cannabis Bill Approved!
In a historic move, Pakistan has just passed its first-ever Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill 2024. Yup, you read that right!
After years of back-and-forth debates and a bit of political drama, the Senate has finally given the green light to regulate cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes
And let’s just say, this could be a massive win for both health and the economy.
The bill, which had been delayed for over four years due to jurisdictional disagreements, aims to unlock the potential of cannabis in ways you might not expect. We’re talking about everything from healing medicinal products to creating sustainable industrial materials.
And get this…the economic potential? An estimated $4-6 billion!
Yes, BILLION. Imagine what that could do for the country’s economy!
Cannabis isn’t just about what you think it is (wink wink).
According to the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), cannabis can be used for industrial purposes as well as medicinal products that can support public health
It’s the kind of economic boost the country needs while keeping things clean and green.
Now, passing this bill wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The meeting got pretty intense, with some senators pushing for a quick approval while others, like former Science and Technology Minister Shibli Faraz, were all about making sure the details were just right.
There were debates on which ministry would oversee the Cannabis Authority (because, you know, this is sensitive business), but in the end, the Senate Committee gave the bill a thumbs up!
The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority will be under the Cabinet Division, and its 13-member board will be chaired by none other than the Defence Secretary
This board will oversee everything from policy decisions to licensing activities. And yes, there will be two Senators on the board, including a woman, making sure the process is transparent and inclusive.
Now that the bill has passed, what’s next? Well, while this is a huge win, there’s still some work to be done before we start seeing the benefits.
The process of getting cannabis cultivation and manufacturing up and running will take time, and there are still plenty of policies to be worked out…
The cannabis industry’s economic potential is HUGE, and if done right, it could help transform Pakistan’s economy and public health sector in the coming years.
