Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the opportunities for tobacco farmers in Malawi from diversifying to cannabis, and the potential benefits for reducing deforestation by producing a cannabis based alternative fuel. It further argues that there are tensions between the conflicting objectives of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Design/methodology/approach Field interviews were conducted with cannabis farmers, traders and sellers in different parts of Malawi. Findings The findings of this study show that there are opportunities for cannabis farmers but they have been blocked by legal impediments. Now that legislative reform have made cannabis cultivation possible, farmers need support in developing products. Research limitations/implications Any attempt to provide a precise assessment of the cannabis market in Malawi is constrained by the criminalised status of the product. The suitability of cannabis briquettes as an fuel has yet to be trialled in Malawi. Social implications There is an urgent need to revise the drug control conventions to address environmental degradation and deforestation. Originality/value The linkage between tobacco farming, deforestation and desertification in Malawi has not been made. This is the first time that hemp has been suggested as an alternative crop for farmers and as a solution to deforestation.
Highlights
IntroductionThe 21st century has seen dramatic innovations in the delivery mechanisms for cannabis
The difficulties faced by African farmers throw into relief some of the flaws in treaties that are formulated in response to the very particular concerns of a politically dominant interest group, but have application globally
Is facing stark economic challenges owing to the drastic decline in demand for its main export crop
Summary
The 21st century has seen dramatic innovations in the delivery mechanisms for cannabis. Most cannabis consumers in Europe, at least, would combine their cannabis with tobacco, a possible etymological origin of the term “joint”. As the medical consensus attributes no benefits but ample evidence of health harms to tobacco, while there is increasing evidence for the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. Exciting though this situation is for growers and pharmaceutical companies in high-income countries at the cutting edge of policy change; it causes considerable difficulties for the farmers in developing countries. The full terms of this licence may be seen at: http://creativecommons. org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
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