The Grand Serail hosted a national conference on Wednesday titled “Cannabis Cultivation: Between Reality and Aspiration,” marking a key milestone in the path toward legalizing and regulating the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial use.
The event, sponsored by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, brought together key ministers, lawmakers and experts. At the heart of the conference was the implementation of Law No. 178, passed by Parliament in 2020, which legalizes the cultivation, processing and export of cannabis for medicinal and industrial use under strict regulation. This legislation positions Lebanon as one of the few Middle Eastern countries to legalize cannabis cultivation, and the government is now moving forward with establishing the independent regulatory authority required by the law to oversee licensing, production and compliance.
Opening the conference, Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani emphasized that the initiative is not just about introducing a new crop, but about launching a comprehensive production sector from cultivation to pharmaceutical and industrial applications. He described it as a step toward economic diversification, rural development and sustainable growth. He stated that the ministry is fully prepared to provide technical and strategic support.
Salam highlighted the economic, social and medical potential of cannabis regulation. He noted that the sector, if professionally managed, could generate over $1 billion in annual revenue, through direct production, derivative industries and exports, particularly benefiting marginalized rural areas like the Beqaa. He stressed the need for transparency, scientific oversight and fair licensing to avoid monopolization.
Salam also noted that this is “a national development opportunity, not merely an agricultural reform.”
To that end, the government has already begun forming an independent regulatory authority, with two of its members selected and the third to be appointed soon. The process is guided by strict professional criteria.
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