Zimbabwe legalizes the production of cannabis for medical purposes.
The production and use of large quantities was punishable by up to twelve years in prison.
Cannabis was only tolerated in small amounts as part of traditional medicine, especially to treat asthma, epilepsy.
The new text, published in the official journal according to Agence France Presse, now allows Zimbabwean citizens or companies duly established in the country to apply for a production permit valid for five years with the Ministry of Health under strict conditions.
The text states in particular that the applicant must specify the maximum quantity, expressed in net weight in grams, of the fresh, dried or oiled cannabis that he undertakes to produce, in which period, and the maximum number of seedlings he will sell.
The medical use of cannabis tends to develop in some countries of the world in order to relieve the suffering due to cancer, AIDS or other pathologies.
In December 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize the production, distribution and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes.
