SUVA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government has revealed strong public support for exploring a medical cannabis industry, and the country may soon open its doors to this sector.
Following a national discussion on the future of cannabis-based medical products, Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development Esrom Immanuel said that 75 percent of respondents backed the initiative, reported Fiji Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday.
Immanuel said the Nutraceutical and Medicinal Cannabis Task Force held 17 consultation meetings across Fiji, involving 518 participants and 12 government agencies.
He noted that the feedback would assist the government in assessing the potential of the industry and put the right systems in place if Fiji moves forward with developing the sector.
Immanuel indicated that exploring the medicinal cannabis industry is part of the government's broader plan to create new economic opportunities and diversify Fiji's industries.
Medical cannabis refers to the use of cannabis for medical purposes under controlled conditions, which entails the use of cannabis-based products under strict regulatory oversight to ensure safety in their production and use. ■
