The government of Pakistan has announced plans to allow the commercial cultivation of hemp (the cannabis plant) starting in January 2025. This initiative aims to capitalize on the extensive global market for hemp products, which is valued in the billions of dollars.
Hemp is defined as cannabis containing 0.3% or less THC content by dry weight.
This decision was shared by officials from the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) during a Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology meeting chaired by Senator Kamal Ali Agha.
Officials project that Pakistan could generate between $5 billion and $7 billion in foreign exchange from hemp exports. Despite producing $5 billion worth of hemp nationwide, the industry has not yet reached its full potential. To address this, a Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (CCRA) will be established to oversee the sector.
The global hemp market is vast, with over 50 countries utilizing hemp in pharmaceuticals. Pakistan has initiated hemp cultivation on a two-acre site at Barani Agricultural University, leading to research and development of various hemp products.
