The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Dowa has ordered 25-year-old Fatsani Mbeya a fine of K80,000 or in default serve 19 months imprisonment for cultivating and being found in possession of Indian hemp without a licence.
Dowa Police Public Relations Officer, Gladson M’bumpha, says Mbeya was arrested on February 24, 2022 along Nanthomba River in the district, where he was cultivating the illicit crop.
According to M’bumpha, Mbeya pleaded guilty to two counts levelled against him, in relation to the activities.
The cultivation of Indian hemp is illegal in Malawi while industrial hemp is duly sanctioned by laws.
Government is pushing to have growing Indian hemp legalised.