The Landlocked Kingdom of Eswatini Makes Bold Move to Legalize Medical Cannabis
The small African nation of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has recently taken a major step towards legalizing medical cannabis. According to a report from VOA Zimbabwe, King Mswati III and the Eswatini government have introduced legislation to legalize medical cannabis in hopes of curbing illegal sales and generating tax revenue for the country.
Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo stated, “The legislation will not only help to regulate the market, but also provide measures to combat the black market that has been robbing the government of taxes and hindering the country’s economic growth. It will also empower the farmers who have been struggling to make a living from cannabis cultivation.”
Currently, only one company, Profile Solutions, has been approved to legally cultivate cannabis in Eswatini. If the legislation is passed, it will amend a law that was put in place by the British in 1922 through the Opium and Habit-forming Drugs Act. Eswatini was under British control from 1903-1968, but did not change its name from Swaziland until 2018.
Dr. Thys Louren, a medical practitioner with Occupational Health Eswatini, believes that legalizing medical cannabis would bring numerous benefits to the country. “It is not just a medical decision, but a holistic solution for our patients, community, and economy,” Louren stated.
Business Eswatini CEO E. Nathi Dlamini also emphasized the importance of keeping up with the global medical cannabis industry. “Many countries are already ahead in terms of developing industries and creating jobs, which we desperately need,” Dlamini said. “As Business Eswatini, we are grateful that the highest authority in the country is now on board with this decision.”
Local resident Maqhawe Tsabedze, who has been involved in illegal cannabis businesses, expressed his support for the legalization proposal. “The decriminalization of cannabis will help a lot and will perhaps stop police from raiding and confiscating our products, which we make a living from selling,” Tsabedze said. “Since there are no jobs, we make a living from selling cannabis on the streets to provide for our families.”
The proposal to legalize medical cannabis in Eswatini is still in its early stages and requires a three-fourths vote in both the House of Assembly and Senate before it can become law. Previous attempts to legalize medical cannabis in the country have been unsuccessful, but with growing support from government officials and the community, it may finally become a reality.
