Botswana lays down a foundation for a new cannabis industry

Grow from Home News and Legislation
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Botswana’s Cannabis Opportunity: A New Frontier in Medicinal, Industrial, and Scientific Growth

Botswana is charting a bold new course in cannabiz. After decades of strict prohibition of cannabis and hemp, recent policy shifts and legislative work are positioning the country to participate in what many see as one of the fastest-growing global industries. For growers, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and researchers, there are both exciting opportunities—and nontrivial challenges—on the horizon.

In this post, we’ll explore what Botswana is proposing, what this could mean in practice for stakeholders, and what to watch out for.

What’s Changing

Here are the major developments:

  1. “Policy on the Licit Use of Cannabis” adopted by Parliament (April 2025)
    Botswana passed a policy framework intended to permit regulated use of cannabis for medical, scientific, and industrial (including hemp) purposes. This marks a shift from full prohibition under past law. Daily News

  2. Cannabis Bill, 2025
    The Cannabis Bill (Bill No. 25 of 2025) was passed by Parliament on August 14, 2025. It sets up a legal framework to tightly regulate cultivation, production, storage, distribution, import, and export—but not recreational use.

  3. National Cannabis Control Authority
    A statutory body will be established to oversee regulation, licensing, compliance, quality control, and enforcement. This includes setting licensing types for cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, etc. 2nd Republic News

  4. Industrial Hemp and Value Chains
    Botswana is explicitly exploring industrial hemp (materials, building materials, fibers), medical research, and scientific uses. The government plans to utilize hemp in construction (hempcrete, fiber panels, bricks), textile, pharmaceutical, environmental, and export markets. Daily News

  5. Emphasis on Local Participation, Sustainability, and International Standards
    There is political discussion around ensuring local ownership and benefit (including a proposed 51% citizen ownership in some cases). Regulatory compliance, safety, security, product testing, and tracking systems are part of the Bill’s requirements. Environmental sustainability and social equity are flagged in policy documents.

Why Botswana’s Timing and Position Matter

Economic Diversification

Botswana is heavily dependent on diamonds for export earnings, tax revenue, and foreign currency. With declining diamond revenues and the rise of synthetic stones, the government is keen to diversify its economic base. Cannabis/hemp is seen as one promising pillar for diversification. Benzing

Agricultural Potential & Climate

Botswana has agricultural zones that could be suitable for cannabis cultivation. The policy notes favorable conditions for cultivation of Cannabis sativa and hemp. Its rural communities and farmers could potentially benefit via new value chains. Daily News

Regional Inspiration and Markets

Neighboring countries—such as Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe—have already moved ahead with medicinal cannabis or industrial hemp legal frameworks. Botswana can learn from these regimes and attract regional/international investment and partnerships. Daily News

What Growers, Investors, and Other Stakeholders Should Know

If you’re considering participating in Botswana’s emerging cannabis/hemp sector, here are important things to keep in mind:

Area Key Considerations / Risks
Regulation & Compliance The legal framework is strict. Licenses are required for cultivation, production, import/export, etc. Quality control, lab testing, security, and tracking (seed-to-sale) will be enforced. Non-compliance has serious penalties. 2nd Republic News
Capital & Scale Entry will likely require significant investment to meet licensing, infrastructure, security, testing, and compliance standards. Small-scale growers may face high hurdles unless part of cooperatives or supported programs.
Local Participation & Ownership There are calls for strong local participation (including mandates for citizen ownership), but policy details are still being worked out. Ensuring capacity building, access to land, technical knowledge, and market access will be critical. Botswana Gazette+1
Market Access & Export Potential Botswana aims for medical, scientific, and industrial export markets. Understanding those markets’ regulatory requirements (e.g. in North America, Europe) will be essential. Also, quality standards, lab certifications, and security of supply chains will matter greatly.
Social, Environmental, and Ethical Issues Public health policy, community consent, environmental sustainability (water usage, soil impact, use of agrochemicals) must be considered. Also, balancing regulation with avoiding criminal diversion or misuse.
Infrastructure & Technical Capacity Potable water, reliable power, testing labs, logistics (transport, storage, export channels) will need investment. Also, skilled workforce for cultivation, processing, and compliance systems.
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Seems all legislation is to make money for wealthy people while still punishing the casual user.

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Totally true @wow_arizona, but a bit debatable if you look at access to quality cannabis for patients who cant grow themselves. I think this Botswana plan is about economy diversification, job creation and also treatment of cannabis for HIV patients, which is very prevalent in the country.

”Botswana has one of the world’s most severe HIV epidemics but has made significant progress by becoming the second country to meet UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 goals, demonstrating strong political will, early and comprehensive treatment programs, and innovative community-based services.”

Further to the above the hemp industry is important to them to reduce the need to import raw materials. Botswana does not have a big recreational marijuana side, never has.

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Well, it’s good that any legislation advancing the medical aspect is proposed.

However, I see a common pattern worldwide. And that is the continued quiet prejudice that cannabis can only be used in a medical setting where some doctor is prescribing it after someone else has made money from a permit, after someone else has made money from creating a dispensary, after…

In regards to the recreational advancement, it doesn’t matter the size of the market. What matters is the freedom aspect of using something that would benefit everyone’s endocannabinoid system, regardless of where they obtained it. Also, regardless of their intended use, as we all know from the science, their endocannabinoid system would be benefiting.

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Words of wisdom @wow_arizona and I totally believe cannabis should be as free as tomatoes on the market for small business. Yes and the reason things are so expensive for the end consumer is all the tax, regulations and people in the middle taking a scoop.

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Many advocates push for equity licensing to ensure the profits benefit communities historically impacted by prohibition.

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17 Aug 2025

The Cannabis Bill, 2025 passed by Parliament on August 14, signals a major shift in Botswana’s approach to cannabis regulation.

Tabled by the acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, the Bill was adopted without any amendments from the Committee stage.

It received 25 votes in favour, while five MPs opposed it, and four abstained from voting.

Prior to that, Dr Dikoloti stated that the Bill aimed to tightly regulate the cultivation, production, storage, distribution, import and export of cannabis, strictly for medicinal, scientific, research and industrial purposes.

He stressed that recreational use remained prohibited under the proposed legal framework.

Introducing the legislation during Tuesday’s parliamentary session, Dr Dikoloti underscored the government’s intent to establish a structured and secure regulatory framework that aligned with international drug control standards.

He added that the Bill also sought to unlock the economic, scientific and industrial potential of cannabis in a controlled and responsible manner.

“This Bill represents a deliberate policy shift, but one that is carefully balanced with public health, law enforcement and international obligations in mind,” Dr Dikoloti said.

Source

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