LILONGWE (MaraviPost)–Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Parliamentarian for Ntchisi North Boniface Kadzamira on Monday stunned the House when asked government to legalize the sale Cannabis Sativa, locally known as Chamba.
According to Kadzamira, Chamba would be a viable alternative to boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Kadzamira made the call when he was reacting to the report of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises.
“An acre of [Indian] hemp produces more paper than wood pulp or tree.
Apart from paper, you can produce, from hemp, fiber, fabric, soap, lighting oil, medicines, food oil and proteins for both humans and animals,” Kadzamira is quoted as saying by The Nation.
Some States in USA have already started legalizing the use of the drug, according to the legislator.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza declined to comment on the matter as government “does not take opinions as policies”.
This is the second time an MP has proposed legalization of Chamba. In April 2000 then Deputy Minister of Agriculture Joe Manduwa also made similar calls in the House.
Indian hemp is illegal and those found cultivating, in possession or trading the same are arrested and prosecuted in courts of law.
Manduwa told the House Malawi stood to benefit a great deal from cultivating the plant, which according to him, is a much-sought-after commodity on the world market as it has other important uses that can earn this country a lot of foreign exchange, as it happens in other countries where they have legalized the use of the product
