NNA – Baalbek - Minister of Agriculture, Abbas Hajj Hassan, received today at his residence in the town of Shaath a delegation of farmers from the Baalbek-Hermel region, calling for "the speedy issuance of implementing decrees for the law on the cultivation of industrial hemp."

Hajj Hassan considered that the farmers’ cry today is on behalf of most of the people of the region, “because the land of the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel region is suitable for cultivation of the industrial hemp plant.” He added that the law was approved in Parliament, and the issue of the Regulatory Body has been accelerated by the Cabinet, awaiting the proposed member names.

Hajj Hassan hoped that the people in the Bekaa and all the Lebanese regions who are concerned with this file will receive clear prospects on the subject, adding, “In the coming days, this dossier will be activated, and I will convey this cry that calls for accelerating the issue of industrial hemp as much as possible, to His Excellency, President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, and to House Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, so that the voice is louder and transmitted directly.”

The Agriculture Minister went on to indicate that, "Indian hemp is a lifeline for this region and for the Lebanese economy, because its revenues are not below one billion dollars, and therefore this matter keeps our people and youth away from cultivating cannabis, which we all consider a scourge, and we fight it as a Lebanese state.”

“However, on the other hand, we cannot tell people that marijuana cultivation is prohibited and forbidden without alternatives,” he said.

“We hope that the coming days will carry the desired positive outcome in this matter, and we certainly consider that a sensitive and vital file of this importance cannot be ignored and left pending for months,” Hajj Hassan concluded, referring to the “glimmer of hope for improving the productive sectors of agriculture and industry in our region and country."

=========R.Sh/