lebanon

  • lebanon cannabis field workLa tremenda situación de inestabilidad política, social y económica que está azotando a Líbano y que se considera la peor desde la cruenta guerra civil que duró 15 largos años (1975/1990), está empujando a muchos agricultores libaneses a pasarse al cultivo de cannabis, ya que su producción es mucho más barata y se obtiene de ella un mayor beneficio. Los campesinos, debido a la devaluación de la libra libanesa que ha dejado a la mitad de la población del país sumido en la pobreza, no pueden permitirse asumir los costes de los fertilizantes, las semillas o los pesticidas para la producción de frutas y verduras que se importan desde otros países.

  • lebanon cannabis fieldMedical marijuana exports could generate $1 billion per year in revenue for the Lebanese state, according to outgoing Economy Minister Raed Khoury. Two rival legalization bills were introduced to parliament in July and September, one by Antoine Habchi, Lebanese Forces MP for Baalkbeck-Hermel, and the other by Speaker of the Parliament and Amal Movement leader Nabih Berry. Both bills aim to legalize the growing of marijuana for medicinal, industrial and research purposes, but they take two different approaches. The bill introduced by Habchi proposes putting pharmaceutical companies into direct contact with producers in Lebanon while Berry’s bill calls for the creation of a state controlled entity, similar to the La Régie libanaise des tabacs & tombacs, to manage the industry.

  • lebanon hash seizedThe Support Don’t Punish campaign for decriminalising the use of illicit substances is very relevant in Lebanon where the law on drug use and the jumble of the criminal justice system harms young Lebanese whose future is often jeopardised by judicial flaws, the NGO Skoun said. Skoun, which runs addiction treatment centres, has been strongly lobbying for amending the criminal law regarding drug use, with punishment ranging from 3 months to 3 years in prison, in the case of personal consumption, along with a fine. “If you get arrested and prosecuted for drug use it will be on your criminal record and for at least 3 years you cannot apply for a job or get housing loan or move on with your life,” said Michelle Wazan, drug policy coordinator at Skoun.

  • lebanon cannabis grapesHashish cultivation is widespread in the Bekaa Valley with many relying on the illegal crop for their livelihoods. In an attempt to curb the illicit trade, the Lebanese authorities periodically raid the area to destroy the crops and arrest its producers. Many think the hashish business is easy and profitable, but this is untrue. In the dry land of the Bekaa Valley, hashish plantations are an alluring option for many in the poor, often lawless region. While police raids have not been frequent since the onset of the war in Syria, the price drop that followed the closure of the border means the business is still difficult. While authorities have repeatedly pledged to help farmers find an alternative source of income to hashish, to this day the Coteaux d’Heliopolis Cooperative remains the only one providing a credible solution.