UGANDAN COMPANIES COMPETE TO GROW MARIJUANA FOR EXPORT

Our reporter

www.mknewslink.com

In Kampala

Foreign and private companies have joined the shove to grow and export marijuana in Uganda, even before the authorities in government complete consultations on the medical and financial benefits of cannabis.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 2015 that was passed by Parliament, has triggered a gold rush among prospective local and foreign marijuana entrepreneurs, who are keen to invest in the medical marijuana industry.

Even when the authorities are still grappling with the idea of how to regulate the growing of medical marijuana, Daily Monitor understands that the number of people and private companies seeking to grow and export weed for medical purposes has increased from 20 in April to 50 in July.
The government is also under pressure from the various marijuana dealers to explain why they allowed Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd, a private company working with another Israeli-based cannabis firm to grow marijuana in Kasese and “frustrated” others through “delaying tactics”. 
Health minister Jane Ruth Aceng has for more than three months been ambivalent on how to proceed on a matter.
When contacted to explain the status of the government consultations, Dr Aceng yesterday asked www.mknewslink.com  to leave her alone. 
The minister vowed not to comment about ‘marijuana things’ anymore and without divulging details, confirmed writing to all the competing companies. 

“I’m tired of responding to the issue of marijuana, please leave me. I am tired. I don’t know what else you people want me to tell you that I have not already told you….Forgive me [but] I am tired and am not going to discuss that subject anymore. Go to the companies [and] ask them to give you the minister’s response and I responded to nearly 50 of them,” Dr Aceng said.

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