Cannabis in Lesotho

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Cannabis in

cash-crop.[2] In the 2000s it was estimated that 70% of the cannabis in South Africa originated in Lesotho.[3]
In 2017 Lesotho became the first African nation to grant a license for the cultivation of medical cannabis.

Cannabis is known as "matekoane" in

Sesotho language.[4]

History

Cannabis use dates back to at least the 16th century in Lesotho, when the

San tribes in exchange for land around 1550. By the 19th century, cannabis was a staple crop in the kingdom.[4]

Cultivation

Cannabis is cultivated almost everywhere in Lesotho, including the capital, but the primary cultivation is in the central mountain zones and western foothills.[4]

Medical cannabis

In 2017, the Lesotho Ministry of Health licensed a South African firm to grow cannabis in Lesotho for medical and scientific purposes, the first such authorized establishment in Africa.[5]

In late 2017/early 2018, the Lesotho government licensed 5 companies to produce medical marijuana. Three of these companies have been partially, or entirely acquired by established licensed Canadian producers:

  • Verve Dynamics - roughly 30% ownership by Aphria (Canada)[6]
  • MediGrow Lesotho - 10% acquired by Supreme Cannabis (Canada)[7]
  • Daddy-Cann - 100% acquired by Canopy Growth (Canada)[8]
  • Medi-Kingdom - 100% owned Medi-Kingdom (UK)
  • Pharmaceuticals Development Corp (PDC) - Now owned by Corix (US)[9]
  • Bophelo Bioscience and Wellness PTY - 20% acquired by Halo Labs Inc (Canada)[10]
  • WeGROW Medical Cannabis Lesotho- 80% owned by ASIF420 (Israel) [1]

Enforcement

In one joint South African-Lesotho operation in 2006, 47 tons of cannabis were seized.[11] Cultivation is for the most part tolerated, however, due to the high rate of poverty in the nation and the economic benefits that the cannabis trade provides.[1]

Legislation

In 2001, Lesotho drafted the Drugs of Abuse Bill, which brought Lesotho into line with numerous international drugs law standards, including the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b "Cannabis in Lesotho". Sensi Seeds. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  2. ISBN 978-1-137-42724-3
    .
  3. ISBN 9788478844654
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-94-017-3505-6
    .
  5. ^ Lesotho Just Granted Africa's First Legal Marijuana License - OkayAfrica
  6. ^ "Aphria Forms Landmark Venture with South African Company Verve Group of Companies".
  7. ^ "Lesotho attracts another major medical cannabis investment". 21 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Canopy Growth Corporation announces entry into the African market with acquisition of Daddy Cann Lesotho".
  9. ^ "Marijuana & Cannabis News, Reviews & Reports".
  10. ^ "Halo Collective to Expand Globally and Acquire Bophelo Bioscience". www.businesswire.com. 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  11. ISBN 978-92-1-148218-8.[permanent dead link
    ]
  12. ISBN 978-0-313-35134-1
    .

Further reading


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