Lesotho pioneering the medical cannabis industry in Africa

Maseru. Lesotho has been in the front lines of the booming medical cannabis industry, since becoming the first country in Africa to legalise the cultivating of medical marijuana for medical purposes.

The cannabis, which is grown legally by the Lesotho-based company Medigrow, is regulated by the government and already 2.1 million people have joined the medical marijuana business.

Albert Theron, the head of the production at Medigrow said: “We have three rows that contain 1,200 plants each. That’s 3,600 plants across the whole structure.”

According to Deputy health minister Manthabiseng Phohleli the legalisation of cannabis presented “a huge opportunity for the country.”

“It attracts investors.

“So far we have around 10 businesses operating on the territory.”

Medigrow invested $19.3 million (17.4 million euros) in the cannabis-growing facilities in Maseru.

Relebohile Liphoto, the head of operations, said a heliport was also being built to ensure that the cannabis is shipped safely and swiftly.

“At the moment we have almost 2,000 kilos (4,400 pounds) of biomass and we are going to produce more than 1,000 litres (260 gallons) of CBD oil,” said Liphoto.

“Depending on the market, we can sell cannabis oil at between $6,000 and $21,000 per litre.”

According to Barclays Bank, the global market for medical cannabis is estimated at $150 billion (135 billion euros) and could reach $272 billion by 2028.

The Lesotho government charges about 30 000 euros for a one-year renewable licence to grow cannabis but the cost is too high for most locals, and as a result, the market is dominated by foreign companies. 

Mothiba Thamae, 38, a farm owner in Maseru is one of the farmers who cannot afford the “green gold” licence.

“We hoped the government would give small Basotho farmers the opportunity to cultivate (cannabis) legally,” said Thamae.

“Unfortunately, they did not.”