If recently registered medicinal marijuana producers fulfill their plans, fields in Macedonia covering some 140,000 square meters – equivalent to some 20 football pitches – will soon be covered in marijuana plants.
Macedonia legalized the growth of marijuana for medicinal purposes two years ago via amendments to the existing Law on Control of Opioid Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
The country thus became one of the few in the world with the legal right to grow and export medical cannabis. The system is similar to the Canadian model, which allows private companies to grow cannabis products.
As Balkan Insight reported in June 2016, the law governing the issue says only neurologists, radiologists, infectious diseases specialists and oncologists may prescribe medicinal marijuana to patients.
Permits to grow weed are issued by the Health Ministry, following prior approval by the government. Cannabis must not be exported, or imported as a raw material, however.
Six companies have received state permits to do so thus far – with others surely to follow.
Social Democrat Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, whose own relatives are involved in the business, recently called on others to join this potentially lucrative trade, saying that it could generate millions of euros for the struggling economy.
While Macedonia does not yet export marijuana products, its long-terms interest in loosening the laws on marijuana production is understandable; worldwide sales of medicinal marijuana already exceed 7 billion euros a year, and this figure is expected to triple over the next three years.
For more read the full of article at The Balkaninsight
