M’mbelwa Investment Limited, a company under M’mbelwa Development Trust, is pleading with Government to consider extending cannabis license period from one year to at least three years.

“The current one year license period is not practical. Our experience has shown that we have already spent more than six months to mobilize resources only,” said Dr Felix Jere, M’mbelwa Investment Limited Chief Executive Officer during a press conference in Lilongwe.

Dr Jere announced that M’mbelwa Investment Limited has started cultivating medicinal cannabis in 17 sites in Karonga, Rumphi, Nkhata – Bay, Kasungu and Dwangwa.

He went on to concede that the cultivation is facing challenges. He said such include taxes on materials required for the cultivation of the plant.

Team Leader for the M’mbelwa Development Trust Dr. Mary Shaba has since called on women and the youth of Mzimba to take part in the cultivation of medicinal cannabis to help improve their livelihoods.