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  HOW TO GET A CANNABIS LICENSE IN ZIMBABWE

How to Get a
Cannabis License in
Zimbabwe
Cannabis producers
from Canada,
Germany, Switzerland,
and more are already
getting licensed to
grow cannabis in
Africa.
While cannabis cultivation is becoming
legalized in more places, not all
locations are ideal for growing. That is
why cannabis growers are looking
outside of their own country for places
to grow cannabis. Zimbabwe is one of
these nations that is o!ering both
domestic and international
opportunities for cannabis cultivation
and export. Continue reading for a
comprehensive guide to help you
become a licensed cannabis
producer in Zimbabwe.

Overview of Cannabis in
Zimbabwe

Many in the cannabis business are not

very familiar with Zimbabwe and why it
might be a great place to grow
cannabis. The nation of Zimbabwe is
located in southeast Africa and became
a major trade route in the 11th century.
The 1800s brought European
colonization followed by civil war in the
1960s. Zimbabwe su!ered greatly and
experienced severe economic decline
under the authoritarian regime of
Robert Mugabe from 1980 to 2017.
Now that Zimbabwe is rebuilding itself,
it faces many challenges to rebuild its
economy.

In 2018, the same year that general

elections first took place, medical
cannabis cultivation was legalized in an
e!ort to help bolster the economy and
to replace tobacco crops. Cannabis is,
of course, more profitable than
tobacco, especially since anti-tobacco
campaigns have significantly reduced
the number of tobacco users
worldwide over the years. The
subtropical climate and cheaper costs
in Zimbabwe make it more ideal for
cannabis cultivation than places like
Canada or Germany. However, land
used for tobacco farming is not
necessarily suitable for cannabis due to
erosion and contaminants, among
other causes.

“Domestically,
agricultural
production has
struggled [in
Zimbabwe] due to
underutilization of
farmland, a
declining supply of
pesticides,
degraded soil
quality,
deforestation, and
impacts from
climate change
(such as drought).
Lacking
infrastructure,
irrigation, and
access to water also
impact the
agricultural sector
[1].”

Another notable issue is that while the

cultivation of medicinal cannabis has
been legalized, its personal use and
possession are not legal. A 2021 study
notes that cannabis is Africa’s most
consumed illegal substance [2]. Strict
criminal penalties have led to
overpopulated prisons, accelerated
environmental damage, and regional
instability. While African nations like
South Africa, Egypt, and Ghana have
decriminalized personal use of
cannabis, Zimbabwe has not. Illegal
cannabis use and possession in
Zimbabwe can result in a 12-year
prison sentence. This puts cannabis in
a very tight legal framework –
compliance is key.

The Current Cannabis Cultivation

Market in Zimbabwe

In 2019, Bloomberg reported that there

were 57 licensed investors in
Zimbabwe. These range from local
operators to firms from Germany,
Switzerland, and Canada. Investors
own all of their investments, and the
government does not have any co-
ownership of their operations. In order
to get a cannabis license in Zimbabwe,
investors work with The Zimbabwe
Investment and Development Agency
(ZIDA). Marijuana and hemp are not
di!erentiated in Zimbabwe. Both are
considered to be cannabis and either of
them can be grown with the same
license.

“Zimbabwe could
potentially gain
$19.5 million in
yearly tax revenue
[from cannabis]…
[and] could lead to
60,000-90,000
jobs for Zimbabwe.
The medical
cannabis industry
could save
Zimbabwe $9.9
million in health
care costs [1].”

Cannabis License Requirements in

Zimbabwe

Statutory Instrument (SI) 62 of 2018

(Dangerous Drugs Act) legalized the
cultivation and processing of cannabis
for medicinal and scientific research.
ZIDA handles the investment portion of
cannabis ventures, but regulation is
carried out by the Medicines Control
Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) under
the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The administration of SI 62 of 2018 is
the responsibility of the Health
Ministry.

Here is the checklist of requirements

to be submitted to ZIDA in order to
obtain a cannabis cultivation license
in Zimbabwe:

1. Completed ZIDA application form for the

issue of a Medicinal cannabis license
submitted by email to
osisc@zidainvest.com
2. Application Fee of $11,250.00 USD (due
upon application submission)
3. A license fee of $46,000.00 USD (due
upon approval)
4. Three copies of a detailed site plan of the
proposed land to be licensed
5. Lease agreement/proof of land
6. Cannabis business plan including
financials and projections for five years
7. Security plan
8. Proof of funds with bank statements
9. Investment Stability Agreement (ISA) (to
be signed with ZIDA when the license is
issued)

ZIDA also elaborated additional

requirements in their online guidebook
[3]. These include:

1. Certified copies of company registration

2. Certified copies of identification for
company directors and personal profiles
for them
3. Police clearance from the
investor/director’s country of residence
4. Bills of lading, import permits, and/or
bills of entry for capital equipment and
any relevant permits needed for
equipment like power generators
5. Work permits, tourism permits, and any
other relevant approvals for living and
working in the country

In addition to these major points, there

are some other considerations to be
aware of. The budget for annual fees is
$15,000 and the license renewal cost is
of $20,000 for a standard five-year
license. Growers also have to submit
documentation of the maximum
amount of cannabis that will be grown
and/or processed during the
production period. Prior to selling or
exporting cannabis, the health ministry
must be informed of the exact amounts
and grant approvals. It is strongly
recommended that growers interested
in getting a cannabis cultivation license
in Zimbabwe dig in deep and read the
relevant laws and regulations, then
reach out to ZIDA for further details on
how to start the application process.

Growing Cannabis in Zimbabwe

According to a report from Reuters,

cannabis producers in Zimbabwe must
grow in greenhouses in order to meet
the criteria for “organically grown”
cannabis. For security and monitoring,
growers are required to install smart
technology on their premises [3]. The
smart technology for monitoring gives
the Minister of Health real-time access
to monitoring farms for compliance
(they will also perform on-site visits).
When it comes to acquiring cannabis
seed in Zimbabwe, The
Independent reported some insights
on the process. According to their
research, The Ministry of Lands,
Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate
and Rural Resettlement works closely
with ZIDA and MCAZ to ensure that the
quality of seeds imported meets the
regulatory requirements. Zimbabwe’s
Tobacco Research Board (TRB) is also
testing fifteen varieties for suitability.

Closing Thoughts on Getting a

Cannabis License in Zimbabwe

Cannabis has a lot to o!er Zimbabwe. It

is suggested that the industry can
create much-needed tax revenue and
jobs while bolstering international
trade and revitalizing the agricultural
sector [1]. While barriers such as high
fees and regulations that need more
fine-tuning do exist, Zimbabwe also
o!ers a lot of opportunities for
cannabis growers. If you are interested
in getting a cannabis cultivation license
in Zimbabwe, the expert team at
GrowerIQ can help guide you in your
application process.

The mere fact that you found your way

to this article is remarkable, we’re sure
that you’re an ambitious grower. The
oppourtunity in international trade
does not end here. We have written
guides on getting your cannabis license
for more countries, such as Zambia,
Peru, Argentina, St. Vincent, and South
Africa. Check out our guides over
here: Cannabis License Zambia, How to
get a Cannabis License in
Peru, Cannabis License in
Argentina, How to Get a Cannabis
License in St. Vincent, and How to get a
Cannabis License in South Africa.

Find Out More

This discussion only scratches the

surface. Let’s discuss your project in
order to build a compliant cannabis
cultivation plan that best supports your
needs. Our consultants can help, both
in planning your project and with the
tracking technology you’ll need to
satisfy ZIDA. Learn more by filling out
the form below, or starting a chat with
us to the right!

DISCUSS WITH OUR EXPERT ADVISORS

References
1. Cannabis in Zimbabwe 2019: Medical
and Industrial Applications and
Implications. New Frontiers Data. (2019).
Retrieved May 31, 2022 from:
https://info.newfrontierdata.com/2019-
cannabis-in-zimbabwe-report-download
2. Status and Impacts of Recreational and
Medicinal Cannabis Policies in Africa: A
Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis
of Published and “Gray” Literature |
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
(2021). Retrieved May 31, 2022, from
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
website:
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/c
journalCode=ca
3. ZIDA MEDICINAL CANNABIS PAMPHLET.
(2021). ZIDA MEDICINAL CANNABIS
PAMPHLET. Retrieved May 31, 2022,
from FlippingBook website:
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/10423825

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