{UAH} Uganda starts exporting dagga worth billions to Canada and Germany

Uganda starts exporting dagga worth billions to Canada and Germany

30 April 2019 7:56 PM

1. Share this:

Uganda will in June export R2 billion ($160 million) worth of dagga to 20 000 pharmacies in Canada and Germany.

Dagga is a healthier and less addictive option for cancer patients than morphine or other prescription opioids, a class of drug that is causing havoc in the United States.

It's still illegal for Ugandans to use dagga, but that isn't stopping the government from earning some hard currency by growing it for export.

Since December 2017, Uganda has sold small amounts ($10 000) of industrial hemp to South Africa's National Analytical Forensic Services.

There are currently 20 companies competing to secure clearance from Uganda's Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, to grow and export dagga for medical purposes.

The Health Ministry says it is overwhelmed by a torrent of dagga growers, both Ugandan and foreign, who want to apply to grow the plant legally.

It has suspended all new bids due to the sheer amount and the lack of regulations that are in place.

The dagga industry in Uganda may be worth R71 billion ($5 billion), according to Minister Aceng.

It's true marijuana has medicinal properties, but the medical properties are still under research... it has been proven it can be used in reducing pain in cancer patients, but even then research is still ongoing...

— Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health - Uganda

The largest dagga company on the Tel Aviv stock exchange (Pharma Limited) says it is setting up farms in Uganda, a claim that the government there has denied.

Ray White (in for Bruce Whitfield on The Money Show) interviewed Lee Kasumba, Host at Africa Connected and Africa State of Mind.

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

Get the 10 most-read articles of the week from Bruce Whitfield's The Money Show, emailed to you every Friday morning:

--

Gwokto La'Kitgum

Find Me on LinkedIn

----------------------------------------------------------------

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall building." Jim Hightower

"If I'm right, and I'm pretty sure I am," writes Dr. Epstein, Trump is capable of only a minimal level of analytical or critical thinking." (Photo: DonkeyHotey/flickr/cc)

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com