Lesotho introduced legislation to legalise the cultivation and use of medical cannabis in 2008 under the Lesotho, Drugs of Abuse Act.Regulations for cultivation and extraction have been promulgated and the regulations for local use and distribution of medical cannabis / hemp products are being drafted. Both sets of regulations are modelled on the Canadian framework.Lesotho is signatory to the three United Nations Conventions that regulate the international trade in narcotic substances, and is in regular contact with the International Narcotics Control Board (“INCB”) to ensure there is no diversion of product to illicit markets.Amendments to the Act are being considered to regulate the cultivation of “hemp” under the more stringent “cannabis” framework.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK