Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Defence, in a pivotal session held at the Parliament House today, has endorsed key amendments to the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill, 2024, paving the way for its potential passage in the National Assembly.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee, chaired by MNA Fateh Ullah Khan, extensively deliberated on the bill which aims to regulate the cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. This legislative move comes in response to Pakistan’s obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, which necessitates member states to establish regulatory frameworks for controlled substances.
The bill received unanimous support from the committee members after thorough discussions, reflecting a significant step towards formalizing the cannabis sector in Pakistan. The proposed amendments, once considered by the full assembly, could facilitate a regulated cannabis industry, emphasizing both economic and therapeutic potentials.
The meeting saw participation from various MNAs and senior officials from the Ministries of Defence, Law and Justice, emphasizing the broad governmental support for refining the legislative framework governing cannabis use.