ISLAMABAD: The government will permit the commercial cultivation of hemp starting January 2025, aiming to tap into the multi-billion-dollar global market. This decision was announced by PCSIR officials during a Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology meeting led by Senator Kamal Ali Agha.
Officials projected that Pakistan could earn between $5-7 billion in foreign exchange from hemp exports. Although the country’s hemp cultivation is valued at $5 billion, it has not been fully utilized. To address this, the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (CCRA) will be established to oversee the industry.
The global hemp market is extensive, with over 50 countries using hemp in pharmaceuticals. Pakistan has begun cultivating hemp on a two-acre plot at Barani Agricultural University, and research and development have led to various hemp products.
Moreover, the committee also noted that Pakistani hemp products are already being exported, including to the United States, where hemp imports benefit from tax exemptions.
The CCRA will be responsible for issuing licenses for commercial cultivation. It will be chaired by the Defense Secretary and include secretaries from relevant ministries, provincial chief secretaries, and representatives from IB, ANF, and DRAP. The authority will regulate hemp cultivation and processing to maximize the potential of the global market.
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