The Department of Ayurveda has not given its approval for cannabis-infused chocolates that have been released to the market in view of Valentine’s Day, Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody said.

It is reported that this cannabis-mixed chocolate, produced by a company in Pothuhera, contains Ashwagandha, Welmee and Lunwila as well.

The State Minister told the media that the producer has not made any request from the Ayurveda Department seeking approval to release this type of chocolate to the market.

“This is a prohibited product under the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and the use of cannabis in the country is allowed only for the preparation of medicines,” he said.

However, the Managing Director of the company that produced the chocolate, W.A. Dhananjaya Weerasuriya has said that a request has been made to the Department of Ayurveda to obtain approval for this product, and accordingly, approval has been given to release a limited portion to the market while it is still in the experimental stage.

He said that laboratory and clinical research has been completed and the third phase of the public research is being carried out. He also added that the entire stock of around 1,000 chocolates has been sold out.