Information sourced by FaceofMalawi indicates that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has approved the cultivation of industrial hemp for trial purposes in the country.

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza development confirmed of the development in an interview with Nation Newspaper dated September 25, 2015.

“Let me point out that industrial hemp is different from the much talked Indian hemp chamba or Cannabis Sativa] that is prohibited. This [industrial] hemp does not contain the psychoactive chemical elements that affect people when smoked even though it is from the same family of crops,” Chiyembekeza was quoted as saying.

According to the publication, Chiyembekeza said if the trials are successful; the industrial hemp will be another source of foreign exchange earnings.

On his part, Invegro Hemp Power Malawi founder Tanya Clerk has hailed the President on the matter.

Indian hemp legalization debate took a center stage across the country and three Months ago the issue was even raised in Parliament for debate.