African governments, in recent times, are considering ways of tapping into the lucrative marijuana market by exporting them to Europe and the Americas. According to a UN survey, more than 10 000 tons of cannabis are produced in Africa each year, which is worth billions of dollars.

The market worth of legal marijuana is estimated at US$146 billion (£114 billion) per year, with medicinal marijuana set to make up more 80% of that, according to Grand View Research. Uganda

While it is still illegal to use marijuana for leisure, Ugandan government legalized it purposely for business and revenue generation.

This country exports marijuana to Canada and Germany with expected revenue of $160 million.

“We signed annual supply contracts with pharmacies in Canada to the tune of US$100 million (Shs371.8b) and €58 million (Shs242.3b) for Germany. The current contracts run for 10 years but, along the way, we shall expand to satisfy future demand,” Cadet said in a statement announcing the development.

Incidentally, In several parts of the world, marijuana is being used medicinally to alleviate suffering from several illnesses.

“People are using morphine, the main component of opium, as an analgesic for cancer pain. Opium is an opioid and is more addictive and has more severe side effects. Cannabinol (CBD) from medical marijuana is the best option for such patients.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is one of the first African countries to legalise the production of marijuana for scientific and medicinal use.

Gladly, Citizens can now apply for a licence to cultivate marijuana. This licence permits companies and individuals to produce marijuana for five years.

Possession, growing or using cannabis in Zimbabwe was illegal before and could result in sentences of up to 12 years in jail, according to CNN. Morocco: cannabis sensiseeds

Morocco

In Morocco, cannabis is illegal but tolerated for personal use. the cannabis industry employs 800,000 people, according to BusinessLive.

Surprisingly, this country's marijuana industry is expected to be worth $900 million by 2023.

Despite these figures, the country has failed to legalise marijuana after a Bill was proposed to legalise marijuana production for medical and industrial use.

However, consumption of the drug hashish and sales are still illegal, but unofficially these activities have made the North African region one of the largest exporters of the cash crop hashish.

Malawi

This country is well known for the prevalence and quality of marijuana production.

It is one of the country’s biggest unofficial exports (Malawi Gold). According to CNN, in 2018 the Malawian government was cultivating hemp on a trial basis, in preparation for the potential legalisation of the non-psychoactive cannabis strain for industrial use; as fabric and in food products.

Although cannabis is illegal in Malawi, it is one of the country’s biggest unofficial exports.

Malawi is considering legalizing medical marijuana and hemp products to benefit the economy, especially as tobacco prices have fallen due to anti-tobacco campaigns, according to VOA. Tobacco accounts for 13 percent of Malawi’s GDP.

Lesotho

Lesotho has a climate that is exceptionally well suited to growing high-quality cannabis for medicinal markets.

In 2017, Lesotho became the first African country to legalise the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes to create employment opportunities, according to the BBC.

But small-scale farmers may find themselves unable to cash in as they cannot afford the infrastructure and licensing costs that the legal trade requires.

The African Cannabis Report shows that the African legal cannabis market could top US$7,1 billion by 2023. Lesotho is set to play a key role in supplying the African market.

“We want to be known internationally as the best cultivator of medical-grade cannabis anywhere in the world,” a spokesman told ProhibitionPartners.com.

“We are proud of becoming the first African nation to produce cannabis legally, and we can only see this improving the lives and the health of the people of our great country.”

Other African Countries that are yet to join the billion-dollar marijuana export industry include; Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

To be or not to be, using marijuana for medicinal purposes seems to be a better option than for recreation which can be subject to abuse.