Ijaz Afridi
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved the legalization of cannabis (marijuana) cultivation in the province. The provincial cabinet approved the Cannabis Rules 2025 during its 30th meeting, under which the cultivation, transportation, sale, and processing of cannabis will be regulated.
Regular licenses will be issued for cannabis cultivation under the approved policy. A regulatory authority will be established, and a committee will be formed comprising representatives from various departments, including agriculture, health, excise, narcotics, and other relevant sectors.
This committee will have the authority to issue licenses for different categories, such as cannabis cultivation, nurseries, transportation, sale, processing, medical use, laboratories, and commercial activities. Separate licenses will be issued for each category, with the fees to be determined after the establishment of the regulatory authority.
Initially, hemp cultivation will be restricted to specific districts, including North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Dera Ismail Khan, and other tribal areas with production capacity.
In an interview with Pakhtun Digital, Agriculture Minister Sajjad Barakwal stated that hemp cultivation would not only boost the province’s exports but also enable the government to monitor all hemp-related activities through a comprehensive policy. He emphasized that while hemp cultivation will be permitted in southern and merged districts, licenses will not be issued in areas where other agricultural commodities are grown to prevent food shortages.
The Agriculture Minister also mentioned that there will be separate licenses for transportation, processing, cultivation, sales, medical dispensaries, and laboratories, with fees to be established accordingly. A committee, including representatives from excise, health, narcotics, industries, and the advocate general’s office, will oversee this process.
He clarified that the cultivation or sale of hemp without a license will not be permitted. The demand for hemp is increasing globally, and the provincial government aims to export this crop to international markets. According to the Agriculture Minister, hemp has the potential to become a significant sector due to its diverse applications, hence the need for separate licenses for each use.
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