The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has taken a landmark decision to legalize the cultivation of cannabis (hemp) in specific districts of the province. The announcement, made on Monday, marks a significant step toward regulated industrial and medical use of the plant in the region.
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Sajjad Barkwal told reporters that the initiative will permit cultivation only through licensed growers under a strict monitoring framework. “In the initial phase, cannabis cultivation would be limited to designated areas,” Barkwal said.
To ensure proper oversight, the government plans to establish a dedicated regulatory authority. “A regulatory authority would be formed to oversee all aspects of cultivation, production, transportation, and usage,” the minister explained, adding that the authority would ensure compliance with the law and prevent misuse.
The government will also create a multi-departmental committee to supervise the licensing process. “This committee would include representatives from the departments of agriculture, health, excise, and narcotics control,” Barkwal stated.
The provincial government has already approved formal rules and regulations to support this new policy, according to the minister. He clarified that cannabis cultivation would not impact food grain production in the province and emphasized that the new policy was expected to boost economic activity.
