Speaker Nabih Berri has tasked on Thursday a committee of experts to prepare a draft law aiming at legalizing medicinal marijuana, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Berri announced during a meeting with the U.S. ambassador Elizabeth Richard that the Lebanese parliament will soon review a legislation to legalize growing the plant.

With public debt at 150% of GDP, the third highest rate in the world, Lebanon charged consulting firm McKinsey & Company with setting out a vision to revitalize growth.

McKinsey's proposal, submitted this month to President Michel Aoun, included a recommendation to legalize and regularize the production and sale of marijuana.