Legalising cannabis: Why Uganda should join green gold rush

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OPINION

By Alex Bashasha

In 2023, Uganda took a decisive step forward by enacting the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act.

This new law marked a fundamental shift in the country’s approach to cannabis, providing a legal framework for the licensed cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, in alignment with international conventions.

This act does not merely regulate drugs — it redefines Uganda’s role in a rapidly growing global industry.

The law, for the first time, distinguishes clearly between prohibited use and regulated production. It defines cannabis as the flowering or fruiting tops of the plant from which the resin has not been extracted, and allows cultivation under a licence issued by the appropriate authorities.

Cultivation, as defined by the Act, includes not only growing cannabis, but also harvesting, tending, and even propagating it through scientific means such as cell culture.

This gives the country a legal and administrative foundation to begin treating cannabis not as contraband, but as a regulated agricultural commodity.

Yet despite this progressive legal shift, Uganda remains trapped in the contradictions of its own policy implementation.

While law enforcement continues to crack down on illegal cannabis farms, a thriving underground trade persists — particularly on the islands of Lake Victoria — highlighting the gap between legal potential and policy paralysis.

Instead of allowing unlicensed actors and criminal cartels to benefit from what has been dubbed “Green Gold”, Uganda should seize the opportunity to turn this shadow economy into a formal, profitable and socially beneficial industry.

The experience of other countries offers compelling lessons. In Canada, the legalisation of recreational cannabis in 2018 resulted in over $11 billion in sales by 2022, with significant tax revenue directed towards public health and education.

Uruguay, the first country to legalise cannabis nationally, has seen a marked decline in drug-related crime. In Africa, Lesotho has emerged as a leading exporter of medical cannabis, with licensed farms supplying European markets.

These examples show that legalisation, when backed by smart regulation, can unlock public revenue, foreign exchange and rural employment, without compromising social safeguards.

Uganda’s climate is exceptionally suited for high-quality cannabis cultivation, particularly strains rich in cannabidiol (CBD), which are in high demand for their medical properties.

With proper licensing, Uganda could become a major exporter of cannabis oil and resin to pharmaceutical markets in Europe, Israel and North America.

The country has already issued its first licence to Bright Sparks Farm Limited in Nakasongola and Luweero, signalling a new chapter in agro-industrial development.

However, more must be done to ensure that smallholder farmers, not just elite investors, benefit from this emerging sector. Inclusive licensing, backed by training and co-operative models, could empower rural communities and stimulate local economies.

Critics often raise concerns about youth addiction and mental health, and these are valid. But prohibition has not curbed access to cannabis among young people.

In fact, unregulated marijuana is already widely accessible in Kampala’s slums, and Butabika National Referral Hospital continues to report rising cases of drug-related mental illness among youth.

Legalisation would not mean liberalisation; it would mean control. Through proper licensing, age restrictions, product testing and public awareness campaigns, the Government can limit access to cannabis and fund addiction treatment programmes using revenue from the industry itself.

Portugal’s drug policy offers a valuable comparison. After decriminalising all drugs in 2001, the country shifted its focus from punishment to harm reduction.

The results were striking: lower overdose rates, a decrease in teenage drug use and improved access to treatment. Uganda could adopt a similar approach, using legal control as a tool for public health rather than perpetuating the cycle of criminalisation.

The Narcotics Act also empowers the Government to seize property derived from or used in illegal trafficking, a provision that could be used strategically to dismantle the networks that currently control illicit cannabis.

With clear penalties for unauthorised growers and robust inspection systems, the Government can ensure that only licensed, compliant producers participate in the industry.

Setting up a dedicated Cannabis Regulatory Authority would help manage licensing, enforce quality standards and prevent diversion into the recreational market.

Most importantly, Uganda must pursue an export-led strategy. The local market should remain tightly restricted to medical use under prescription, to prevent misuse while allowing the country to benefit economically from rising global demand.

Partnerships with international pharmaceutical companies, such as those already importing from Lesotho and South Africa, could provide Uganda with the expertise, standards and access needed to succeed.

The decision Uganda faces is not whether cannabis should exist, it already does, both legally and illegally. The real question is whether we want this industry to enrich cartels and corrupt actors or to fund schools, hospitals and jobs.

The legal foundation has been laid by Parliament; what remains is for policymakers to operationalise the law with vision, fairness and urgency. A well-regulated cannabis sector could transform Uganda’s economy and public health landscape, without worsening drug abuse.

Prof. Alex Bashasha (PhD) is the Director General of TABKEN Consults on Development and a fellow of Unicaribbean Business School