Cannabis Means Something Different, While It Is a Very Important Industrial Raw Material, Says Prime Minister

During today’s government meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan presented a draft decision on the approval of the Economic Response Program and the preliminary action plan. He noted that the coronavirus pandemic and the war constituted significant sources of economic shock for the country.

“The indicators are already available, according to which the economic decline in 2020 is estimated at around 7 to 8 percent,” said Avinyan. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that there has been some success in mitigating the risk of an even greater downturn.

He highlighted that the program emphasizes three main directions: accelerating the recovery of economic activity, ensuring a reliable business and consumer environment, and shaping a medium-term economic policy agenda.

“Twelve targeted actions and fourteen support programs are planned,” said Avinyan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also mentioned that the issue of industrial hemp cultivation outlined in the program could lead to various speculations.

“It is important that the program is reported correctly and in detail; unfortunately, when people hear cannabis, they understand something else, while hemp is a very important industrial raw material,” said the Prime Minister of Armenia.