Malawi parliament to debate cannabis farming

A research field of industrial hemp at Chitedze research station in Malawi capital Lilongwe. Farmers say it failed to yield expected results. [VOA

Malawi's parliament is considering legislation to permit the cultivation of marijuana or cannabis. The aim is to boost the country's foreign exchange earnings but anti-drug advocates are against it.

Malawi lawmaker Peter Dimba told parliament Thursday that locally grown cannabis - which he referred to by its local name of "chamba" - is in high demand abroad and could yield millions of dollars for the country.