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Rwanda Begins Cannabis Production | High Times

There are many interesting characteristics to the Republic of Rwanda. It lies just south of the Equator. This piece of sovereign property is bordered with Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s a beautiful, elevated piece of sovereign land, right where the Great African Lakes meet East Africa.

Along with other African nations in the South, it has initiated cannabis reform, which will eventually lead to production. The country’s geography, like Lesotho is mountainous. However, it still has the distinction of having the highest density of African citizens. Rwandans are both rural and young with an alarmingly low average age of 19 years.

Progress in Work

Last summer, the government announced that it would begin cultivation. In June, a framework was created for legal industries (from processing to distribution and use).

Local news reported that the Rwanda Development Board now has designated 134 ha for cannabis cultivation. RDB announced also that they have received great interest in exporting this product as well as processed versions. 

Per a statement released by the agency, “RDB has been working with other government stakeholders to assess proposals received. Rwanda’s government established a strict process for selecting companies who have experience with cannabis production. There are several stages to the assessment process. So far 5 companies are in the advanced stage.”

There has not yet been a license issued.

The country follows a pattern that is familiar in the UK, Spain, and Greece. The only exception is that there will not be any changes for corporations, and they are strictly focused on export income. Europe, of course, is at the top.

A large penalty for violating local laws governing cannabis consumption is assessed at between $540 and $5,000. It is an enormous amount in a country that has an average monthly income around $200. You could also be sentenced to three- or five years imprisonment.

Great Export Market

The global economy is changing. The world needs cash. This is especially true now, when all governments around the globe are struggling for income, and global conflicts threaten to disrupt their economies. Countries from Africa, Central America and South America have begun to move at an increasingly rapid pace in cannabis reform. 

Production in such places costs a fraction of what it is other places—even with proper GMP (or good manufacturing procedures) standards in place. 

There are also increasing numbers of other countries, such as Portugal. Portugal) who will charge such producers a huge fee per gram of such product to “convert” it to GMP, even if grown outdoors and per a certification of GACP (a sovereign standard for cultivation practices for other crops).

Leaders in these economies know that cannabis is a great opportunity. This is especially true given the intransigence of reformists who continue to ignore domestic cultivation around the globe.

But, prices will plummet as more countries become involved in cultivation and processing. In a market with high prices, only the privileged few are able to afford them even within Europe, there will be a race for the bottom.

Cannabis and hemp are also becoming more valuable for many reasons. It is used for industrial purposes and can also be used to treat conditions not easily treated in the developing world.

Even the most skeptical world economists will find good in this. 

It appears, however that sustainable agriculture is also being pursued in many other parts of the globe.

There is reason to be proud that another African country joined the cannabis club.

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