There’s no provision for it in basic training, but Italian soldiers called to watch over a state-owned agricultural farm in the country’s north found they were learning new skills by growing marijuana.
Italy has recently joined an increasing number of countries that have legalised the plant for medicinal purposes.
The country’s health minister, Beatrice Lorenzin, said it made sense for the government to grow its own supply to produce cannabis for Italy’s health care system.
“The aim, obviously, is to reduce the cost,” she said.
“We believe we can become self-sufficient and more than just halve the production costs.”
The crop is currently housed in a high-security facility near Venice.
To keep a tight grip on the product, Italian officials called in the military to look after the crop.
Next year, operations will begin at a lab within a secure military compound in Florence.
Authorities hope the establishment of a local supply of medicinal marijuana will undermine a florid black market with links to the country’s notorious mafia crime gangs.
