President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, has given approval for the enactment of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2024, aimed at overseeing the cultivation, extraction, refining, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis derivatives for medical and industrial purposes.
The ordinance, titled the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2024, is in line with Pakistan’s commitment as a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961. Article 23 of the convention advocates for the establishment of a governmental agency to regulate cannabis cultivation and production, while Article 28 addresses matters related to opium poppy cultivation and ancillary issues.
Under this ordinance, the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority will be established to oversee its implementation, operating under the administrative control of the relevant division.
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Additionally, a 13-member Board of Governors will be formed, with the Secretary of the Defence Division serving as its chairperson. Other members will include officials from various government departments, representatives from the private sector, as well as intelligence agencies and law enforcement bodies.
The Board of Governors will be responsible for making policy decisions and advising the federal government on all matters related to cannabis policy. It will also have the authority to issue licenses for activities regulated under the ordinance.
The federal government retains the power to convene meetings of the board as necessary. Furthermore, the ordinance mandates the appointment of a Director General by the Prime Minister, who will oversee the day-to-day operations of the authority.
The government is empowered to appoint employees, advisors, and consultants to facilitate the implementation of the ordinance. Additionally, a national cannabis policy will be developed and prescribed by the federal government, governing all aspects of the cannabis plant derivatives market, including cultivation, production, sale, and export/import conditions.
Licenses will be issued for a period of five years, and a committee will be established to oversee the licensing process for the development of prescription and non-prescription drugs derived from cannabis plants, intended for pharmaceutical, herbal, and nutraceutical purposes.
