Rwanda plans to grow medical marijuana and export it to other nations

- East African country Rwanda is going to export medical marijuana to other nations

- The use of cannabis is still prohibited locally, the government expressed that these laws will not change

- The Rwanda Development Board has said that they seek to gain entrance into the multi-billion-dollar industry

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Rwanda has given the go-ahead for the production of medical marijuana strictly for export only. This is to infiltrate the growing markets in the United States and the European Union, even though it's still illegal to use at home in the country.

The consumption of marijuana is illegal in Rwanda. However, the production and export of medical cannabis has been allowed by the government. They stressed that this did not mean that they would change the local laws around the consumption of the drug.

A statement by the Rwandan government said: "Rwanda will begin to receive applications for licenses from interested investors for this high-value therapeutic crop."

The Development Board of Rwanda said that many companies have applied to gain access to the mass production of medical marijuana. CEO Clare Akamanzi said:

"We have interested investors that we are going to work with for the next few days now that we have guidelines in place."

The authorities are going still to give details as to when exactly production will begin. It has come as quite a shock to a few that conservative country has decided to take part in the production of medical marijuana. However, some were pleased.

Twitter user @Mwangala_ said: "Yesterday, Rwandas Cabinet approved the regulatory guidelines on the cultivation, processing and export of therapeutic crops (medical marijuana). Rwanda and Uganda are moving forward."

In other news, Briefly.co.za previously reported that the African content needs to put more energy into mental health care. Africa needs to invest more in mental health care according to a study by African professors Benedict Weobong, Crick Lund, and Justice Nonvignon. Over 13% of diseases in the world are due to mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

Mental health conditions are treatable but only a staggering 15% of South Africans with mental health conditions receive treatment. In Ghana and Ethiopia, the numbers drop to less than 10%. Rates of poverty are higher in people who are living with mental health issues and they are more likely to be infected with HIV.

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Source: Briefly News