President Dr Alvi Approves Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance for Medical & Industrial Use

Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Alvi has given approval for the promulgation of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2024. This ordinance aims to regulate the cultivation, extraction, refining, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis derivatives for medical and industrial purposes in Pakistan.

The ordinance, officially named the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2024, aligns with Pakistan’s commitment as a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961. Article 23 of the convention recommends the establishment of a government agency to regulate cannabis cultivation and production, while article 28 addresses matters related to opium poppy cultivation.

Under the ordinance, the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority will be established to oversee the implementation of its provisions, operating under the administrative control of the relevant division. A 13-member Board of Governors will be formed, chaired by the Secretary of Defence Division and comprising representatives from various government departments, provincial chief secretaries, private sector members, and intelligence agencies, among others.

The Board of Governors will be responsible for making policy decisions and advising the federal government on all matters related to cannabis policy, including licensing activities outlined in the ordinance. The federal government retains the authority to convene board meetings as needed.

Additionally, a Director General will be appointed by the Prime Minister to oversee the authority’s operations. The government is empowered to appoint employees, advisors, and consultants to facilitate the implementation of the ordinance.

The ordinance mandates the federal government to develop and prescribe a national cannabis policy covering all aspects of cannabis plant derivatives, including cultivation, production, sale, and export/import conditions.

Licenses will be issued for a period of five years, with a committee established to oversee the issuance of licenses for the development of prescription and non-prescription drugs derived from cannabis plants for pharmaceutical, herbal, and nutraceutical purposes.

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This regulatory framework represents a significant step forward in establishing a structured and regulated approach to the medical and industrial use of cannabis derivatives in Pakistan.