PESHAWAR: A Regulatory Committee formed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on medicinal and research use of industrial hemp decided that the case regarding the issuance of licences for medicinal hemp plants and determination of excise duty rates would be submitted to the provincial cabinet for approval. It was decided during third meeting of the Regulatory Committee, which met here with the Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation, Fakhar Jehan in the chair on Monday. The meeting was attended by Secretary Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Khalid Ilyas, Secretary Health Shahidullah Khan, Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan, senior officers of various wings of the Excise department and members of the regulatory committee representing the Agriculture, Health and Law departments. Officials from PCSIR Laboratories, Qurshi Industries and other relevant departments and institutions were also present. It was further decided that applications for industrial licences for medicinal hemp, along with other related documentary requirements, would also be placed before the Provincial Cabinet for approval. After final approval of the cabinet, the process will be opened for the concerned industry to obtain licenses. During the meeting, the recommendations prepared by the sub-committee constituted by the Regulatory Committee regarding matters related to industrial hemp were reviewed. The forum was briefed on the proposals pertaining to the issuance of licences for the medicinal hemp plant, fixation of excise duty and other related regulatory aspects. It is pertinent to mention that medicinal hemp is a plant intended for industrial, research and medical purposes. It is non-intoxicating, free from narcotic effects and does not have any side effects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025