Policy decision coming on growth of cannabis

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, responding to queries raised by traditional medicinal practitioners on relaxing regulations for cannabis plantation, stated that the Government would have to make a policy decision based on evidence and requests. 

The question was posed to the President during his most recent ‘Gama Samaga Pilisandarak’ meeting held in Thanamalvila by Dr. Wasantha Welianga, who pointed to the difficulties faced by traditional medicinal practitioners and cannabis growers due to the prevailing regulatory framework. 

The President posed the matter to officials who acknowledged that a discussion into the matter was already underway. Dr. Welianga pointed out the United Nations had delisted cannabis as a harmful drug and it was widely used for medical purposes.