By BARNABAS ZULU MPULAMASAKA Nsoni, a molecular scientist and the owner of Nature by Nature DNA Research Laboratory, has filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal, seeking clarity on the legality of possessing cannabis for scientific research. The appeal challenges the application of Zambia’s Dangerous Drugs Act of 1967 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021. Mr Nsoni, whose work focuses on cannabis genetics at the University of Zambia (UNZA), argued that cannabis should be legally available to qualified researchers for scientific purposes. Mr Nsoni was recently convicted on November 4, 2025, for possession of cannabis. In his appeal, he contended that the cannabis in question, which he was convicted for, was necessary for his research, which had been properly authorized. He maintained that the prosecution failed to demonstrate any illegal intent or misuse in the possession of cannabis. One key aspect of Mr Nsoni’s appeal is focused on […]
Zambian scientist seeks legal clarity on cannabis for research
