The government of Uganda has set up 15 strict guidelines that will be followed by companies that need to grow marijuana in the country.
Among the guidelines, individuals and companies seeking to grow and export the cannabis for medical purposes will be required to present minimum capital of Shs18.3 billion and a bank guarantee of Shs4 billion.
The investors will also be required to present a tax clearance certificate from Uganda Revenue Authority, lists of employees and their description, a valid addition to cannabis and audited accounts.
The marijuana farms must not be located near schools, hospitals and residential areas and in case of any associates /business partners , the details must be disclosed to government , including site designs, a robust security system with access control system and intrusion systems in place.
Currently, more than 100 companies both foreign and local have positioned themselves to grow and export marijuana in the East African country.
The government has already formed a committee chaired by the Internal Affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo, to screen the applicants with a view to kicking out ‘speculators’ and recommending ‘serious companies and individuals’ for medical marijuana licenses.
Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng is today January 27, 2020 expected to present the new guidelines and a confidential list of more than 100 companies and individuals seeking government permission to grow the cannabis.
“On Monday , I will be presenting paperwork on cannabis to cabinet for them to approve guidelines and consider the growth of cannabis,” Dr Aceng told Daily Monitor newspaper last week.
Meanwhile, government has already licensed Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd to grow and export medical cannabis.
The company is currently working with Together Pharma Limited, one of the biggest Israeli cannabis firm on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
They have so far invested Shs1.3 trillion in Hima, Kasese and they are expected to export medical marijuana from
Uganda in March this year.
What is medical marijuana?
According to WebMD, Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions. It’s basically the same product as recreational marijuana, but it’s taken for medical purposes.
The marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids. Each one has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine. THC also produces the “high” people feel when they smoke marijuana or eat foods containing it.
What is medical marijuana used for?
Medical marijuana is used to treat a number of different conditions, including:
Alzheimer’s disease
Appetite loss
Cancer
Crohn’s disease
Eating disorders such as anorexia
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Mental health conditions like schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Multiple sclerosis
Muscle spasms
Nausea
Pain
Wasting syndrome (cachexia)
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