How Lebanon can leverage medicinal cannabis farming to maximize returns

The Lebanese government has taken the right decision to legalize cannabis farming for medicinal use. They need to highlight and promote the growing body of evidence that highlights the medicinal benefits of cannabis products as well as the commercial opportunity in order to fully maximize the economic benefits to the country. As the CEO of the UK’s leading investor in medicinal cannabis, I welcome the progressive Lebanese policy change and congratulate the country for embracing the future in this important field and set out how Lebanon can position itself as a world leader in this market.Medicinal cannabis has proved to be a lucrative, resilient (COVID-19 proof) and high growth export opportunity for countries in Africa, Europe and the Americas, and Lebanon is the first country in the Middle East to take advantage of the economic benefits the industry can provide. Whilst the Lebanese government is right to outline the commercial benefits of legalizing medicinal cannabis, it should not downplay the medical benefits. The change in policy is a welcome move for Lebanon; however, the government should understand and advocate the medical benefits of cannabis to maximize and complement the economic...