Cannabis in Zimbabwe: Conversation with Dr. Maroveke

“The success of Zimbabwe’s Cannabis story will need modern changes in policy. We should not copy and paste the policy’s that applied to traditional industries like Cotton and Tobacco.”

– Zorodzai Maroveke

The medicinal cannabis market in Africa is huge and unexploited. By 2023, the value is projected to have reached a value of $7.1 billion. So far, only a handful of African countries have legalized the production and distribution of cannabis for medical use, Zimbabwe is one of them.

Medicinal cannabis was legalized in Zimbabwe in 2018, while the production and use of hemp was legalized in 2019. Though legal, the cultivation of hemp in Zimbabwe is governed by stringent rules that are illustrated in a 32-page document.

Mbanje, as cannabis is referred to in Zimbabwe, cannot be consumed recreationally, at least not legally. The nascent industry has experienced unique challenges, as has been the case even in developed countries. We spoke to Dr. Zorodzai Maroveke, a Zimbabwean cannabis activist to get a better understanding on how things are shaping up in the legal cannabis industry in Zimbabwe.

Meet Dr. Maroveke.

You have a medical background. How did you find yourself in cannabis?

Cannabis is a broad industry with Medicinal, Industrial and Recreational applications. I am a Dental Surgeon by profession but a Nation builder at heart. My interest and primary efforts are in Industrial Hemp as I believe it will have a bigger socioeconomic impact on my country.

Cannabis has a long history in Zimbabwe, can you give us some background on how it all began?

The history of Cannabis in Zimbabwe is beyond my existence but my lobbying and advocacy journey began in 2015.

What’s the legal status of cannabis in Zimbabwe? What can one do or not do? Are there any efforts that are being made towards full legalization and what is the progress so far?

1. a) Medicinal Cannabis legalized in 2018 promulgated by SI (Statutory instrument) 62 regulated under the Ministry of Health and Childcare.
2. b) Industrial Hemp legalized in 2019 promulgated by SI 208 of 2019 Criminal Code Persons who May lawfully possess Industrial Hemp… SI 218 of 2020 Production of Industrial Hemp Recreational use of Cannabis is still illegal in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe definitely has several legacy cannabis operators. What efforts are being made to incorporate them into the legal industry?

The Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust acknowledges the plight of the excluded members of society who traditionally have vast knowledge about Cannabis. It is our next lobby project once the priority sectors take off. From our engagement with Government we can see they are being cautious but we believe there is political will to address this issue.

Zimbabwean Mbaje is consumed within and without the continent. Does this make a significant contribution to the economy?

Studies conducted by new Frontier Data and another American Analyst on Zimbabwe’s illicit Cannabis industry were valued between 56-200 million USD. There is not benefit to the formal economy as government cannot collect revenue from an illegal industry that it is not regulating, hence the opening up of the formal industry began in 2018.

Many African nations, even where weed is illegal, import cannabis. What’s your take on this?

I think the recreational market is very dynamic and perhaps they need different flavors so they import for cross breeding.

The Zimbabwean government recently licensed foreign- owned companies to plant hemp and cannabis in Zimbabwe. What do you think about this trend and what is likely to be the repercussion?

The industry is open for all but I do feel deliberate policies should be put in place to encourage domestic investment and local participation in the sector. FDI will have a positive impact if it translates to export of value added Cannabis products for foreign currency generation and new revenue for the government.

Having legalized the growing of medicinal cannabis in 2017, Zimbabwe is a pace-setter in the African region. What have been some of the challenges that marijuana farmers have encountered?

Challenges are quite a lot due to the immaturity of the sector. Technical support, limited access to seeds/plant material, exorbitant license costs and compliance issues abound.

The African cannabis market has huge potential. Is it too early to invest in this market?  

It depends on which area we are looking at however I would say it’s critical for an investor to invest in R&D for fruitful investment in commercialization

If Zimbabwe is to have a successful cannabis story, what changes must be made?

The success of Zimbabwe’s Cannabis story will need modern changes in policy. We should not copy and paste the policy’s that applied to traditional industries like Cotton and Tobacco.

The Zimbabwean cannabis market is one to be on the lookout for. In spite of the stringent laws regulating cannabis, the potential in the industry is bound to make significant on the economy of Zimbabwe. We promise to keep you posted as the cannabis industry evolves in this landlocked country.