Fiji moves ahead with Medicinal Cannabis legislation as Cabinet approves drafting and timelines tighten
The Office of the Solicitor-General is still shaping the Medicinal Cannabis legislation that Cabinet approved in December, with Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Communications Minister Manoa Kamikamica saying it should be tabled in Parliament in the next couple of months. He noted the draft is currently with the Solicitor-General’s office and “on track” despite some resourcing delays, as officials work to get it ready for parliamentary scrutiny.
Alongside this, the Government continues to advance the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Feasibility Study. Last year, Cabinet approved the study, conducted with support from the Australian Government, the Market Development Facility, and PharmOut, to explore the Nutraceutical and Medicinal Cannabis Industries’ viability in Fiji. The study covers economic and market viability, operational and financial feasibility, legislative needs, potential socio-economic benefits, and risk assessments, including illicit use and reputational concerns. The government sees these findings as a foundation for a robust regulatory framework that could bring health benefits, job opportunities, and new investment into Fiji.
In addition to medicinal cannabis, authorities are pressing ahead with laws to curb glue sniffing among children. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has said regulations banning the sale of glue to minors are being drafted and would be forwarded to Cabinet for approval as soon as possible. Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica described the issue as urgent and indicated the government will continue pursuing a clear regulatory pathway, including possible follow-ups on prior Attorney-General efforts to address the problem.
What this means going forward is a coordinated effort to balance public health safeguards with potential economic opportunities. The medicinal cannabis legislation aims to ensure safe, regulated development of a nascent industry, while the glue restrictions focus on protecting the health and safety of Fiji’s youth. The pace of parliamentary tabling and the resolution of any resource gaps at the Solicitor-General’s office will be key to determining how quickly these measures move from paper to practice. If implemented with strong governance and cross-ministerial cooperation, Fiji could see notable economic and health benefits alongside improved public safety.
Additional context and analysis
– The medicinal cannabis feasibility studies undertaken with PharmOut and international support are designed to map out a clear regulatory path, address market viability, and gauge socio-economic impact before any licensing or industry rules are put in place.
– The joint effort involves the Office of the Solicitor-General and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to ensure a solid legal and health framework.
– A successful regulatory regime could position Fiji as a regional leader in regulated medicinal cannabis while emphasizing patient access, safety, and responsible industry growth.
– The glue regulation push reflects a broader public health stance and a multi-agency approach to substance control, engaging health, education, policing, and community groups.
Summary in Fijian
Veiyaloni ena Vosa Vakaviti: Na Cabinet sa mai vakadodonu me ra volai na lawa ni Medicinal Cannabis, ka na tabulaki ki na Parliament ena vula mai mai. E tukuna o Kamikamica ni na dredre na lawa ni Solicitor-General me baleta na gauna ni veikacoko, ia sa tiko tiko na nodra cakacaka vata. Na veika okati ni feasibility study o PharmOut kei na Support mai na Australian Government kei na Market Development Facility era baleta talega na veika e vauci kina na Kalou ni veika vakadua ka na soli kina na veiqaravi, na nomu ituvaki kei na kena vakatikuvale. E baleta talega na veika e baleta na glue sniffing, ka tukuna na PM ni vakayacoro tiko na lawa me taudaku ena Cabinet.
Na veika ni veivakadonui ni medicinal cannabis era vakatabakidua sobu kina na KPI me vaka kina:
– Na vu ni tomoni kei na veitokoni mai Jad හා Australian Government, Market Development Facility, kei PharmOut.
– Na veika me baleta na lawa, na veivakadonui ni ivakarau, na veika e vakiteici ki na i vuli ni bula kei na sozialeconomics.
– Na lewena ni rai me baleta na veika e vakalewai ki na leqa ni vakayagataki dredre kei na itukutuku ni kena yaga kei na leqa ni veivakataotoga.
Veiyaloni na veika oqo me walia kina na veitalanoa kei na kena vakatubulaggalu ki na veivakalougatataka kei na veivakadonui ni miradi ni Medicinal Cannabis, ni taleitaka na itukutuku ni bula ni lewenivanua ke rawa ni yaco ki na vuli kei na veivakadudua.
Veitalanoa ni biu ni vosa vakaviti
Na ivakarau ni waiyagataki kei na tubu ni Medicinal Cannabis e sa mai curu ki na veitarogi ni vanua, me vaka na kena vakavinakataki na bula ni lewenivanua, na veivakabulai ni mate kei na vakalewai ni na waqa ni maliu ni qaravi ni vinaka. Ia, me vakalewai talega na lawa ni matanivola kei na doka ni veiqaravi, me rawa ni kilai kina na veika vakalewai kei na nona iyatu ni saumi.
Note: Summary in Fijian is provided to meet the request for a Fijian language recap.
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