THE Director of Legal in the Ministry of Health Advocate ’Masello Sello says the purpose of the Drugs Abuse Amendment Bill 2021 is to put in place more measures to prevent diversion from lawful trade of controlled chemicals, controlled equipment and controlled materials for use in the unlawful manufacturer of drugs abuse.

She made these remarks on Tuesday when the Ministry of Health was tabling the contents of the bill before the Senate Legislation Committee.  

Adv Sello said the bill enables the ministry to limit the number of operator licences based on the likelihood of diversion.

Once licensed, she said all operators must implement a track and trace system to ensure that records of all activities from the seed to sale of operations are kept and made available for inspection.
She noted that the bill creates an offence to engage in the organisation, management of financing of any of the offences provided for in the Act
She said the bill changes the composition of the Lesotho Narcotics Bureau, which is a Multi-Sectorial Body in order to make it more diverse and inclusive of the benefits of the cannabis business industry and the health sector.