Right Balance For Medicinal Cannabis Bid

The Government is seriously looking at the economic side of medicinal cannabis industry in Fiji as well as its social implications.

This was the sentiment raised by Small and Medium Enterprises

Fiji Unit rep Iosefo Koroidimuri dur­ing public consultations at Sai Hall in Sigatoka on Friday.

The purpose of the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives and Small and Medium Enterprises and Communication con­sultation was to invite submissions for the establishment of the medicinal cannabis industry in Fiji.

The establishment of a medicinal cannabis industry in Fiji will be lim­ited to exportations only and will not affect the domestic prohibition of can­nabis in Fiji.

Mr Koroidimuri said export would be legalised within the perimeter in the controlled environment.

“It is for export purposes not for rec­reation use. Recreational will still be illegal,” he said.

Marijuana for social use is recrea­tional.

“People are asking why only con­trolled why can’t we open up pharma­cies,” Mr Koroidimuri said through a thorough consultation, Government would be able to find balance.

“The key government is looking at is the economical side of things and also the social implications,’ he said.

“If we do it right, Fiji will reap the economic balance, but if we do it wrong social implications will come and can affect our generations in years to come.

“So, the Government has to look at ways of balance.”

The consultation is also looking at the monitoring and enforcement mecha­nism of the cannabis industry in Fiji.

“We are looking at the value of it. We need technical expertise to come and be part of this,” he said.

“This consultation is all about look­ing at legalising of cannabis in a con­trolled space.”

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