28/07/21

Africa’s great cannabis debate

The cannabis debate; to legalise or not. Copyright: Image by Rex Medlen from Pixabay

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<h1>Africa’s great cannabis debate</h1>
<h4></h4>
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<p><strong>Episode 52</strong></p>
<p>In Sub-Saharan Africa, cannabis has been in use for generations but remains illegal in many countries. Now, the debate over medical marijuana and the development of regulated cannabis industries is heating up.</p>
<p>While many who champion the growth of cannabis say the industry could drive Africa’s development, others have questions about whether farmers and communities will be the ones who benefit.</p>
<p>Our reporter Michael Kaloki takes to the streets to hear public opinion, and speaks to Gama Bandawe, head of biological sciences at the Malawi University of Science and Technology, who calls cannabis a super crop and says making it legal across Sub-Saharan Africa is the “right and logical thing to do”.</p>
<p><strong> </strong>Send us your questions from anywhere in the world — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.</p>
<p><strong><em>Africa Science Focus</em></strong><strong>, with Selly Amutabi.</strong></p>
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<p><em style="font-family: CaeciliaCom-55Roman, TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: 18px;">This programme was funded by the European Journalism Centre, through the European Development Journalism Grants programme, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.</em></p>
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Episode 52

In Sub-Saharan Africa, cannabis has been in use for generations but remains illegal in many countries. Now, the debate over medical marijuana and the development of regulated cannabis industries is heating up.

While many who champion the growth of cannabis say the industry could drive Africa’s development, others have questions about whether farmers and communities will be the ones who benefit.

Our reporter Michael Kaloki takes to the streets to hear public opinion, and speaks to Gama Bandawe, head of biological sciences at the Malawi University of Science and Technology, who calls cannabis a super crop and says making it legal across Sub-Saharan Africa is the “right and logical thing to do”.

Send us your questions from anywhere in the world — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi.

This programme was funded by the European Journalism Centre, through the European Development Journalism Grants programme, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.