Imagine waking up and reading in the newspaper that the Agriculture CS had launched the Cannabis Framework and Implementation Plan, providing guidelines for establishing a cannabis growing, manufacturing and processing industry across the country.
Now imagine that the minister’s boss, the President, being at his side as the announcement was made and backing him up, saying that the National Cannabis Master Plan would contribute to economic development, job creation, rural development and poverty alleviation.
You would probably pinch yourself to try to wake up from what was surely a dream or a nightmare, depending on your view of such things, or think that they had been smoking a very potent strain of weed, probably Kisii gold or Mt Kenya classic.
Sadly, with a President who in 2021 revealed that his next job after politics would be evangelism, and a Deputy President who wants to bring in “Prohibition Lite” by allowing only one pub per town, Kenya boarding the cannabis wagon any time soon is a far-fetched idea.
By the way, for those who may not be aware, the Prohibition was the period in the United States from 1920 to 1933, during which a nationwide constitutional law prohibited the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcohol across the country.
Wikipedia says: “According to a 2010 review of the academic research on Prohibition, 'On balance, Prohibition probably reduced per capita alcohol use and alcohol-related harm, but these benefits eroded over time as an organised black market developed and public support for national prohibition declined.'”
I think it is a shame that the Kenya government would never imagine encouraging the growth, manufacture and processing of cannabis — for medicinal purposes, of course.
It would really be a way to get the economy growing and, for purely cynical reasons, to attract a new crop of voters.
Frankly I believe that politicians should be made to understand that the cannabis industry is innovative and rapidly growing, and has the potential to deliver a huge economic windfall for Kenya.
For once, I’d be happy if they went on one of their infamous benchmarking junkets to Rwanda to see how it is working there, or even if they came here to SA on a similar mission.
Then they might see that opening up and fostering further growth for this exciting industry and creating a cannabis economy that works for all is the way ahead.
Recently, South Africa launched its cannabis master plan, the CanPlan, which highlights that the potential size of the cannabis industry in the country is estimated at R28 billion (about Sh208 billion) and could possibly create about 10,000 to 25,000 jobs across the value chain.
South Africa has identified that the development, growth and success of the cannabis industry require a value chain approach to ensure benefits from this booming industry.
The industry has the potential to absorb all skills levels, including low, semi and skilled labour.
In a country like Kenya, tapping into this industry would contribute to growing the rural economy and creating jobs, which one would like to think was a key government priority.
But the religious lobby will be the first hurdle. Seeing as it is embedded in the country’s leadership right from the top, such a plan would not even get to the interministerial panel stage to decide whether a committee should be established to think about such a plan.
Believe you me, the religious lobby’s reaction to such a plan would make Maandamano Mondays seem like a walk on a petal-strewn path in the park. There would be verbal fire and brimstone from every pulpit in the land.
A week before the launch of the CanPlan here in SA, Cape Town hosted the annual Cannabis Expo.
The expo opened with record numbers of visitors and with over 150 exhibitors, featuring thousands of cannabis products and services from around the world, and back-to-back panel discussions and presentations.
There was even a Cannabis Food Market, where guests could sample cannabis-infused treats, dishes and drinks, while listening to music and generally enjoying the chilled-out vibe.