news

Nov. 6, 2021

OWN CORRESPONDENT

2 min read

Senate suspends reading of drug abuse bill

Senate suspends reading of drug abuse bill

The Senate of Lesotho

Story highlights

    Drug of Abuse Bill is meant to help prevent diversion from lawful trade of controlled chemicals
    Bill is expected to limit the number of operator licenses based on the likelihood of diversion

Metro Audio Articles

Catch our weekly audio news daily only on Metro Radio Podcast News.

listen now

THE upper house of the Lesotho Parliament, the Senate on Thursday suspended the reading of the Drugs of Abuse Amendment Bill, 2020.

Principal Chief of Matšekha, Chief Peete Lesaoana Peete, the Chairperson of the Senate’s Legislative Committee said the House decided to suspend the reading of the bill due to certain recommendations needed in order to be passed.
Such recommendations, he said included granting the courts of law discretionary powers to deal with people found guilty of violating the drugs of abuse regulations.
Chief Peete showed that the committee will, however, consult the Attorney General and the Parliamentary council before coming back to the House to read the bill.
The purpose of the Drug of Abuse Bill is to put in place more measures to prevent the diversion from lawful trade of controlled chemicals, controlled equipment and controlled material for use in the unlawful manufacture of drugs of abuse.


 

Enjoy our daily newsletter from today

Access exclusive newsletters, along with previews of new media releases.

Upon its implementation, the bill is expected to limit the number of operator licenses based on the likelihood of diversion and once licensed, 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.
It will also create an office to engage in the organisation and management of financing of any of the offences provided for in the Act.
The bill is also expected to change 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. LeNA

Share the story

METRO WEATHER FORECAST