Staff Reporter

President Mnangagwa has yesterday commissioned a US$$27 million medical cannabis farm in Mount Hampden and warned that those who were not utilising their cannabis operating licences risks losing them.

The medical cannabis farm in Mt Hampden was established by Swiss Bioceuticals Company after it was issued with a licence to grow cannabis for medical and scientific purposes.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Mnangagwa said that 57 operating licenses were issued in 2018 but only 15 of these have been activated.

“I challenge other players within the medical cannabis sub sector to speedily set up their enterprises with focus on value addition and beneficiation. It is disappointing that since 2018, only 15 out of the 57 entities issued with cannabis operating licences are operational,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa added that the cannabis operating licences should not be held for speculative purposes but should be used to benefit the country.

“Such licences should not be held for speculative purposes and those not using them risk Government invoking the use it or lose it principle,” added the President.

President Mnangagwa said that the setting up of a cannabis farm by a Swiss company was an indication that the Government’s engagement and reengagement policy was bearing fruits.

“The milestone is testimony of the success of my Government’s engagement and re-engagement policy. It further demonstrates the confidence that Swiss companies have in our economy through their continued investment in Zimbabwe,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa further said that the Government recognises Switzerland as one of the leading European investors and was ready to receive more investors from that country.

Speaking at the same event, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga informed that cannabis for medical purposes was being grown in other parts of the country such as Bulawayo, Shamva, Kadoma and Mazowe.