In the wake of the announcement that Nigeria is now Africa’s biggest economy after GDP calculations were rebased in Lagos, Peter Sinkamba, who is the president of the Green Party in Zambia has said his party will legalize the cultivation of Marijuana (Chamba) in an effort to further the growth of Zambia’s gross domestic product, (GDP).
According to the Green Party President as reported by the Lusaka Times in Livingstone on Saturday, it is an open secret that some commercial farmers in Zambia are cultivating the drug and reaping enormous profits from illegal export trade.
The Green Party’s strategy will be centred on empowering the youth of Zambia with agricultural loans in a bid to promote the involvement of more young people in the sector. Peter Sinkamba is on record as saying each citizen would be given 50 hectares of land when they attain the age of 16.
His comments to repeal Zambia’s anti-narcotic laws have not escaped the notice of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). Theresa Katongo the public relations officer of the DEC shared the commissions concern regarding young people who are already having serious problems associated with alcohol abuse and that there are several things that they can do to contribute to the country’s GDP.
According to a World Bank report, illegal trade in Chamba amounts to an estimated 0.2% of Malawi’s GDP or K1.4 billion. Malawi Gold (the name given to cannabis originating in Malawi), is internationally renowned as one of the finest sativas from Africa often referred to as “the best and finest” Chamba in the world. It was no 1 weed in Amsterdam, Netherlands for years because of its sweet, earthy to lemon-esque scents and flavour with heavy results. Traditionally these Marijuana buds are wrapped in banana leaves and buried to cure which produces a very smooth and lush palette. Malawi Gold is one of the most potent psychoactive pure African sativas. The drug is listed as one of the three ‘Big C’s’ in Malawian exports ‘Chambo’ (Tilapia fish), Chombe (tea) Chamba (Malawi Gold)’. A packet of seeds of Malawi Gold fetch up to $53.46 each online.
As the May 20 2014 election date draws near, it remains to be seen what stance Malawian political parties have taken on the issue especially now that the Malawian government is cash strapped after Western donors withdrew their financial budgetary support since the Cashgate scandal at Capitol Hill.
Currently, Malawi does not tolerate drug taking, purchase, trafficking and possession. There are severe punishments for people who are caught on the wrong side of the law.