Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica, has confirmed that medicinal cannabis in Fiji will only be cultivated for export purposes and will not be available for local sale or consumption.
Responding to a query from Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya, Kamikamica clarified that after extensive consultations with the Ministry of Health, the decision has been made to limit medicinal cannabis production to export only for the time being. The legislation under the Medicinal Cannabis Bill will focus solely on establishing an export market for the product, with the possibility of future consideration for local use still uncertain.
Consultations and the Rationale Behind Export-Only Focus
Kamikamica explained that the current stage of development for the medicinal cannabis industry in Fiji was not yet equipped to consider the importation or domestic use of medicinal cannabis. He stressed that further discussions about making the product available in local pharmacies are premature at this time.
In a statement, Kamikamica mentioned, “The level of detail required to even consider importing medicinal cannabis into Fiji for use in the country at the moment is probably premature,” indicating that the focus remains on exploring export opportunities first.
A Growing Industry with Future Potential
The move to develop a medicinal cannabis industry in Fiji is primarily driven by the country’s desire to diversify its economy. With the global growth of the medicinal cannabis sector, Kamikamica believes that Fiji has the potential to become a key player in this expanding market.
“The decision to develop or establish a medicinal cannabis industry is driven by a desire to broaden our economy genuinely,” he said. The industry is expected to create new jobs in agriculture and manufacturing, further contributing to Fiji’s economic growth.
Community Support and Feedback
As part of the planning process, 17 nationwide community consultations were held, with around 500 participants registering. A significant 75 percent of the participants supported the idea of legalizing medicinal cannabis for export purposes only. Most of those in favor were male farmers aged between 36 and 45, who highlighted the importance of local participation in this new industry.
Looking Ahead
While the immediate future of Fiji’s medicinal cannabis industry will focus on exporting products, Kamikamica acknowledged that local use could potentially be revisited in the future, depending on the industry’s growth and regulatory developments. For now, however, the focus will remain on exporting medicinal cannabis and contributing to the global demand for the product.
