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"This opens the door for Argentina to start a new path in terms
of industrial exports, on the basis of huge global demand," said
Economy Minister Sergio Massa in a conference launching the
national hemp and cannabis agency, ARICCAME.
"All this needs to be transformed into an industry which
generates work, which generates exports for Argentina and which
generates value."
Massa said that the agency would from Thursday begin
regularizing programs and coordinating with various provinces
and industrial sector, adding Argentina already counted on
demand for projects linked to the agro-industrial sector.
Francisco Echarren, who will lead the agency, said the industry
could generate thousands of new jobs, as well as create
technological developments and new products for export.
"We have a huge challenge ahead of us," he said, "not only
getting a new industry on its feet, but giving millions of
Argentines access to products that improve quality of life."
Argentina legalized cannabis oil for medicinal use in 2017,
allowing the federal government to grow marijuana for research
and therapeutic purpose.
In 2020, Argentina allowed people to grow marijuana at home for
medicinal use. The decree also allowed pharmacies to sell
products derived from cannabis, and ordered insurers to cover
marijuana-based medications for patients with a prescription.
Uruguay became the first modern country to explicitly legalize
growing, selling and smoking marijuana in 2013. In Colombia,
President Gustavo Petro has also spoken about more regulation to
boost the country's budding industry.
(Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
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