Mafume pin hopes on cannabis

KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume says the metropolis will become the hub of cannabis production adding investors must come to invest in its growing as that will boost the city’s economic fortunes.

He was speaking during the tour of the Medical Cannabis Biotech farm where he applauded African Medical Cannabis Biotech for their lucrative investment in the city’s cannabis industry.

“We should find a way to use cannabis effectively such that it benefits our city and country as a whole,” he said.

Mafume said the investment provides essential raw materials for medicine manufacturing, and Harare aims to become the cannabis hub of Africa, just as it is the centre of tobacco production.

“We have come with the business community of Harare. What we want is to encourage investors to invest in cannabis,” said Mafume.

“The medicinal impact of this cannabis has been long known in our society from Binga to Chipinge, and we have been using it for medicinal purposes for time immemorial,” Mafume said.

“The scientific impact of this cannabis is felt and known, and these are the types of investments we want as a city. We are hoping to work out how, as a city, we can partner in coming up with investors.

“Just like we are the centre of tobacco, we can become the centre of cannabis in Zimbabwe.”

“The plant we have seen is the best to extract oil, and we need to expand this investment such that it will help the economy and many of our youths,” Mafume said.

“We have seen some of the major works and investments happening in Harare, such as the opening of Meikles and food outlets. Therefore, we need to support this agro-based economy,” Mafume said.

Kim Ruan, the managing director of African Medical Cannabis Biotech said Zimbabwe is the best place to grow cannabis because of its good soil and climatic conditions.

“The good quality soil in Zimbabwe makes it the best place to grow cannabis,” Ruan said.