Islamabad: Today, the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology, under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha, convened at Parliament House to deliberate on and eventually pass the “Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill, 2024.” This legislative move marks a significant step towards regulating cannabis cultivation and manufacturing, primarily for medicinal and industrial uses.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the bill, which underwent detailed discussions and amendments, includes measures such as adding two Senate members, including at least one woman, to the Board of Governors of the newly established regulatory authority. The amendments aim to enhance oversight and ensure diverse representation in the governance of cannabis regulation.

Chairman of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Dr. Syed Hussain Abidi, highlighted the bill’s objectives, emphasizing its potential to safeguard public health and capitalize on the economic opportunities of the cannabis industry, estimated to be worth between 4 to 6 billion dollars. Meanwhile, Senator Musadik Masood Malik advocated for stringent controls to restrict cannabis use to medicinal purposes and prevent its abuse.

The meeting was attended by key senators and officials, including Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Jan Muhammad, Husna Bano, Nasir Mehmood, Syed Shibli Faraz, Sajid Baloch, Secretary for the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Acting Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Ashfaq Kiyani, who collectively contributed to the bill’s advancement.