Maple Tree Consultants is acting as an advisor to Mswati III of the House of Dlamini, the royal house of the Kingdom of Eswatini, as the country explores the potential benefits of medical cannabis to health and the economy of the country.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is located in southern Africa between South Africa and Mozambique and has a population of about 1.4 million people.
A long history of cannabis cultivation in Eswatini
The illegal cultivation of cannabis - referred to as insangu in Swazi - is widespread. One of the major illicit cannabis producers in Southern Africa, with a 2006 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime highlighting its status as a major producer.
Swazi Gold, an African sativa strain known for its sweet, citrus taste and powerful effects has been grown in the country for generations and commands a high price due to its potency.
Grown in the harsh conditions of Eswatini's mountainous region, this strain can take anywhere from 55 to 85 days to finish flowering. It is exported to Europe via South Africa and Mozambique.
Teaching key governmental advisors in Eswatini
The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini is considering the legalisation of cannabis for medical and economic purposes. To ensure that key members of the government are well-informed about all aspects of medical cannabis, Maple Tree Consultants has been invited to teach key individuals about the potential benefits and risks associated with its medical use and provide an overview of the development of the sector in the UK.
By educating key members of the Eswatini Government on medical cannabis, Maple Tree hopes to ensure the Kingdom will be better equipped to make informed decisions regarding its legalisation.
Cannabis and the law in Eswatini and Africa
In Eswatini, there is no difference between cannabis and CBD when it comes to the law. This means that in Eswatini, it is illegal to use, purchase or sell cannabis and CBD products.
However, Eswatini does allow for some commercial activity around medical cannabis. In Africa, medicinal cannabis as been legalised in some form in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Creating a legal market in Eswitini
Eswatini has a real opportunity to capitalise on its reputation as a producer of high quality cannabis and create an industry that could benefit both local farmers and consumers.
According to the African Cannabis Market Overview by Prohibition Parners, it is estimated that Eswatini's share of the cannabis market could be worth US$12.1bn.
New economic opportunities include the creation of jobs and additional sources of income for farmers. The government also hopes that legal cannabis cultivation will help reduce crime associated with illegal drug trafficking in the country.
Legalising the cultivation of medical cannabis has the potential to bring positive change to Eswatini's economy and for patients in the country and across the globe.
Supporting international governments
Maple Tree is a trusted international advisor that provides global governments with strategic counsel on medical cannabis sector development.
The company works closely with government officials and policymakers at the highest levels of national and international parliaments, offering guidance on best practices for regulating cannabis use.
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