A feasibility study has been agreed by Cabinet to be undertaken for the emerging market in medicinal cannabis in Fiji.
This was one of the decisions made at the Cabinet meeting held on August 29, 2023.
The feasibility study will be overseen by a Taskforce to be chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica.
The Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications and Investment Fiji have so far received expression of interest from two foreign ventures for the construction of medicinal cannabis facility for confined extraction and manufacturing of medicinal cannabis.
Medicinal Cannabis is defined as the use of cannabis including constituents of cannabis tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids that are mainly used for the treatment, or symptom reduction, of a range of illnesses and conditions that are prescribed by the physician.
At present, there is no specific legislation for the cultivation and production of medicinal cannabis in Fiji.
The findings of the feasibility study and any subsequent proposed amendments to the law and the drafting of a new law in consultation with the Office of the Solicitor – General, will be brought back to Cabinet for decision.
