In December 2017, Uganda exported unrefined cannabis buds to South Africa’s National Analytical Forensic Services in Pretoria. This year the country is set to export medical marijuana products to Canada and Germany worth Shs600b in June.
This comes in days after Evelyn Anite Uganda’s State Minister for Investment said the government has not conclusively decided on the issuing of an investment license to an Israeli Company to grow Cannabis in Uganda hence the immediate suspension. Together Pharma had been cleared to start growing weed in Uganda by the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) who had approved their license on March 18, 2019.
A director at Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd a private firm jointly working with an Israel company, Together Pharma Ltd, yesterday confirmed medical cannabis orders from at least 20,000 pharmacies in Canada and Germany. Mr. Benjamin Cadet confirmed that the order to Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd was valued at $10,000 (Shs37.1m).
“We signed annual supply contracts with pharmacies in Canada to a tune of $100m and €58m for Germany… the current contracts run for 10 years but along the way, we shall expand to satisfy future demand,” Mr. Cadet said.
Researchers have reported that cannabis reduces pain and inflammation, and promotes sleep, which may help relieve pain and discomfort for people with rheumatoid arthritis including the case of a mum of three who surprised doctors by treating her terminal cancer with marijuana and honey. There are lots of evidence for the therapeutic effects of cannabis relating to its ability to reduce chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting due to chemotherapy and spasticity.
“People are using morphine, the main component of opium as an analgesic for cancer pain. Opium is an Opioid and more addictive and with side effects yet Cannabinol (CBD) from medical marijuana is the best option for such patients. Cancer patients are using CBD illegally. We have the scientists and the technology to do this but regulations are not in place to allow cannabis drugs manufactured for domestic consumption,” he added
About 20 companies have so far sent letters to Health minister Jane Ruth Aceng requesting to grow marijuana for medical purposes.
