Sri Lanka's President Surprises with Cannabis Legalization Push

Source: From crisis to cannabis: Sri Lanka’s president surprises with pro-market pivot (2025-09-23)

Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced plans to legalize cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes, marking a significant shift in the country's drug policy. The move aims to boost the economy, create jobs, and reduce reliance on traditional crops, with the government emphasizing regulation and control to prevent misuse. The decision has garnered mixed reactions, with some experts praising the potential economic benefits and others raising concerns about public health and social impacts. The government is now working on establishing a legal framework to oversee the cultivation, processing, and distribution of cannabis, signaling a major policy change in the island nation's approach to drug regulation.

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