THE STATUS OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS AND INDUSTRIAL HEMP INDUSTRY
Industry in Malawi
High THC (Medicinal cannabis) and low THC (Industrial hemp) Cannabis Sativa crops and consecutive activities with it are regulated by the cannabis regulatory authority in Malawi, following international decriminalization and acceptance of the crop and its uses.
The system has been established in such a manner that every corporate, cooperative or individual interested in being part of the industry requires licencing to operate. To facilitate access to smaller players or more specialized ones, a range of separate licences can be applied separately or in packs.
Passing of cannabis legislation
CANNABIS REGULATORY AUTHORITY (CRA)
Establishment of CRA
CRA is a newly formed State Corporation through an Act of Parliament, Cannabis Regulations Act, 2020 & its mandate is to regulate the Cannabis Industry in Malawi.
- Receive applications, review, approve and issue or revoke licenses or permits
- Conducting inspections for security and quality assurance
- Impose penalties (etc.)
LICENSES & FEES
Application procedure
The Authority may grant any of the following licenses and Permits in the Table.
Non-Refundable application processing fee is:
- Medicinal Cannabis application US$ 1000
- Industrial hemp application US$ 500
A license issued under this Act shall be valid for an initial period of 12 months, after which it may be renewed for further periods of 12 months or such period as may be prescribed by the Registrar, upon the payment of a prescribed fee.
In the case of an import, export or transit permit it shall not exceed four months.
License to cultivate and sell
Medicinal Cannabis
10,000 $*
Industrial hemp
2,000 $*
License to Process Cannabis
Medicinal Cannabis
10,000 $*
Industrial hemp
5,000 $*
Store & Distribute
License to store Cannabis
500 $*
License to distribute Cannabis
2,800 $*
License for hospitals/Clinic to administer cannabis drugs
Private hospitals
500 $*
Government hospitals
200 $*
License for pharmacies to stock, sell and distribute cannabis
Private Pharmacies
200 $*
Government Pharmacies
100 $*
CANNABIS REGULATORY AUTHORITY (CRA)
Participation in the industry
Only registered Farmer groups and companies i.e. Associations, Cooperatives, Formal partnerships, Companies can participate
LEGITIMATE YOUR OPERATION WITH THE REQUIRED LICENSES
Application procedure
- Interested groups need to apply for a license or permit in the prescribed form to the Director General.
- The forms can be obtained from the CRA offices.
- Make enquiries to the office of Director General to access the forms online.
- Submission of completed application forms shall be accompanied by non-refundable processing fees.