Cannabis cultivation under care of Army | Page 3 | Sunday Observer

Cannabis cultivation under care of Army

15 April, 2018

Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Dr Rajitha Senaratne says that cannabis cultivation for medicinal purposes in the country and for exports will be done under the supervision of the Army and the project will be implemented this year.

“We have completed the proposals for the project and once Cabinet approval is obtained the project will go ahead,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Minister Senaratne said cannabis will be planted under the direct supervision of the forces and not by private parties.

“If the private sector is given the green light for cannabis cultivation it will require permits and other regulatory mechanisms will have to be imposed. This way, there will be no need to issue permits, since no private parties are involved,” he said.

Earlier this year the advisory committee to the Ministry suggested that it is advisable to start cannabis cultivation which is an ingredient used in ayudvedic medicine production.

“Cannabis has a component which is good as a pharmaceutical.

It gives adverse effects only if smoked, if used for syrup or a drug, this has no harmful effects. Western world is currently using cannabis for tranquilizers, for drugs for depression and other psychological disorders,” he said.

Accordingly, there is a good market internationally for pharmaceutical drugs made from cannabis, the Minister said.

He added that cannabis was a plant grown throughout Sri Lanka and it was banned by the British to cultivate tobacco, since their tobacco was not selling.

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