Parliament has
passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, bringing
significant changes to the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal
purposes.
The amended bill
grants the Ministry of Interior the authority to issue licenses for the
cultivation of cannabis, thereby enabling the utilization of this plant for
various beneficial applications.
This development
comes after the Supreme Court invalidated provisions within the Narcotic
Control Commission Act that permitted the cultivation of specific types of
cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.
The court
contended that these provisions contravened Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution.
Despite an appeal filed by the Office of the Attorney-General, the Supreme
Court dismissed the review application in a narrow 5-4 decision.
During the
parliamentary debates surrounding the amendment of the bill, Members of
Parliament emphasized the importance of cultivating certain types of cannabis.
They underscored
the potential benefits that can be derived from harnessing the properties of
cannabis for industrial and medicinal uses.
With the passage
of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, the Ministry of
Interior will now have the responsibility of issuing licenses for cannabis
cultivation, facilitating the growth of this industry and opening avenues for
further exploration of its potential.
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