India, UK battle to bag project on medical cannabis in Bhutan

With the Bhutanese government pressed in tackling the pandemic, the administration is yet to finalize its decision to award the international project on Hemp research and commercial cultivation

New Delhi: Pharmaceutical companies from the United Kingdom and India are battling to bag an international project involving cultivation of medical cannabis on a commercial scale floated by the Bhutanese government.

Sources claimed that three foreign proponents from the UK and India and two Bhutanese have submitted their proposals to the state-run Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (MSPCL). The MSPCL undertakes research, manufacturing, production, and sale of cannabis products within and outside the country on behalf of the Bhutanese government.

Reports show that an Indian company – Arsenalogic Technologies Private Limited, has proposed research on hemp cultivar development and hemp farming in its pitch for bagging the project.

Officials at MSPCL claimed that the proposals submitted by five investor companies in December 2019, have been sent to the Bhutanese cabinet for review.

However, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put a brake on the government’s decision to award the project. “The kingdom is pressed in tackling the pandemic. Thus, no decision has been made on the project so far,” an official from MSPCL said.

He added that the project involves careful selection of the hemp species which needs to be scientifically and genetically studied, before being planted for commercial use. “The project has clearly outlined the required cannabidiol amount which is permissible for medical purposes. Thus, the selected species will be uniformly grown in greenhouses across Bhutan,” the official explained.

Bhutan to amend its Narcotic Law  

In order to legalize medical cannabis – cultivation, and research, Bhutan will be required to amend a few clauses in its narcotic act.

Bhutan’s Article 128 of the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act of Bhutan 2015 grades illegal cultivation, domestication or harvest of cannabis and its derivatives as a felony of third degree if the defendant cultivates or domesticates equal to or more than two times the number of plants determined in Schedule VII of the Act; minimum quantity for illicit trafficking.

“Thus, the act has to be amended. It was scheduled to undergo amendment at the last Parliament session but was not tabled for discussion amongst the public representatives. We are hoping that once the Parliament convenes again, the act is brought up for discussion,” an officer said.  – Special Correspondent