Fiji Times: Public support is growing for Fiji’s proposed medicinal cannabis industry, with nationwide consultations showing 75 per cent of participants support the initiative.

Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel revealed in Parliament this week that the Nutraceutical and Medicinal Cannabis Taskforce conducted 17 nationwide consultations involving 12 government agencies and 513 participants, with three out of every four participants expressing support for the proposal.

He made the comments while outlining a range of investment and industry development initiatives supported by the ministry, including work on commercial agriculture, kava and medicinal cannabis.

“The Commercial Agriculture Taskforce, established in 2023 in partnership with Investment Fiji, has attracted and progressed five major investments, the Wonderful Company, Aitken Spence Plantations, Bula Coffee, Pacific Trade Invest, and FMF Foods Limited – spanning papaya, citrus, honey, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, pineapple, and cassava starch manufacturing.”

Fiji’s medicinal cannabis proposal has been nearly three years in the making. The process began in August 2023 when Cabinet established a multi-agency medicinal cannabis taskforce to assess the feasibility of developing a regulated industry. The taskforce conducted nationwide consultations between October and November 2023 before Cabinet approved a policy framework in February 2024 to guide the sector’s development. Following Cabinet’s approval, Investment Fiji began promoting the sector to potential investors. New Zealand-based Medical Kiwi expressed interest in investing about $65million in Fiji once the necessary laws and licensing framework are established.

Former trade minister Manoa Kamikamica said last year Government intended to develop medicinal cannabis as a new export industry, producing pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products for overseas markets while attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, rather than legalising recreational marijuana. However, legislation has yet to be introduced, meaning commercial cultivation and licensing remain on hold.

https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/the-cannabis-push/

 

 

Google AI Overview

The Fijian government is advancing a proposal to establish a strictly regulated, pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis and nutraceutical industry exclusively for export. Spearheaded by the multi-agency Nutraceutical and Medicinal Cannabis Taskforce, recent nationwide consultations show roughly 75% public support for the initiative to diversify the economy and attract foreign investment. [1, 2, 3]
Current Status and Next Steps
  • Public Support: The Taskforce held 17 consultation meetings across Fiji, engaging over 500 individuals and 12 government agencies, with three out of every four participants backing the initiative. [1]
  • Legislative Delay: While the Fiji Cabinet approved a policy framework to guide the sector’s development, necessary legislation to permit commercial cultivation and licensing has yet to be formally introduced. [1]
  • Economic Goal: The government stresses this industry will be for export only. Officials are aiming to manufacture pharmaceutical-grade products rather than legalize recreational marijuana. [1, 2, 3]
  • Investment: Land has been identified in the western region of Viti Levu, and foreign entities like New Zealand-based Medical Kiwi have already expressed significant investment interest. [1, 2, 3]
Taskforce Composition
The Taskforce spearheading the feasibility study and policy formulation comprises several key Fijian government bodies: [1, 2]
  • Ministry of Finance, Commerce, and Business Development
  • Ministry of Health & Medical Services
  • Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration
  • Fiji Police Force
  • Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF)
  • Investment Fiji [1, 2]
Important Note on Recreational Use
It is highly illegal for tourists and the general public to possess, use, or bring cannabis and related products (including CBD or hemp oils) into Fiji. The country strictly prohibits recreational marijuana under the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004, and foreign medical prescriptions are not recognized. [1, 2]
For updates and official announcements regarding the emerging export market, monitor the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications or Investment Fiji portals.

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