Govt to Spend Nearly Rs. 2 Billion on Producing Cannabis and Hemp

The Federal Government has allocated Rs. 1.95 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2025-26 for the “Establishment of Medical Cannabis Greenhouses for Biotechnology Derived Bio-Products, National Hemp & Cannabis Analytical Laboratory, and National Industrial Hemp & Medicinal Cannabis Authority.” The project, approved by the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) in December 2021, aims to lay the foundation for a regulated and science-driven cannabis industry in Pakistan. It includes the development of advanced greenhouses for medical cannabis cultivation, the establishment of a national analytical laboratory to ensure quality and compliance, and the formation of a central authority to oversee industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis activities. This initiative is expected to support research and innovation in biotechnology, generate export-oriented economic opportunities, and provide new avenues in alternative medicine, pharmaceuticals, and industrial raw materials.