Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha yesterday introduced the Industrial Hemp Bill 2022 in the National Assembly, paving way for the decriminalisation of hemp and outlining a path towards industrialisation.
Hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for industrial use and over the years there have been increased calls for its decriminalisation.
According to the Bill’s explanatory memorandum, its purpose is to provide a definition for industrial hemp and remove its classification under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act, Cap. 10:10 as a prohibited plant if possessed, cultivated, manufactured or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the Act.
