Rwanda has established 134 hectares of land for medicinal cannabis cultivation, according to a ministerial order gazetted last June.
The order provides a framework for responsible and secure cultivation, processing, distribution and use of cannabis in the country.
For the purpose the government has designated a specific area of 134ha to cannabis production and is in the process of having the site developed, according to sources.
So far a significant number of companies including foreign firms have shown interest in the cultivation, processing and export of cannabis from Rwanda, the order said.
“The Rwandan government has set a rigorous process to select companies that have or are partnering with companies that have previous experience in the production of cannabis for medical and therapeutic reasons. The assessment process has different stages. So far five companies are in the advanced stage,” a statement from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said.
However, no licenses have been issued yet, as the licensing process is an extensive one that requires alignment with the security requirements and infrastructure of the site.
Claire Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer of RDB told the media last year about what security measures will be put in place during the process of producing the crop.
“If you get licensed to grow these therapeutic crops in Rwanda, you will be required to have in place a very strong security program that has to be approved by our security organs, and that security program is going to be highly implemented,” she said.
“There will be no way that it (cannabis) can leak out of the farm to go to the domestic market or to the wrong users. The crop will be in a very designated place, there will be very strong measures, whether it is CCTV cameras, watch towers, street lights, and human security. So it is going to be extremely secure,” she added.
Cannabis produced in Rwanda will be exclusively for export purposes.
The biggest markets being envisaged for this crop are the United States, Canada and Europe.
The companies that have so far applied for production licenses, according to RDB, have been from a broad range of geographies, including consortiums with local firms as well.
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CU/as/APA