Contradiction in Proposed Cannabis Laws Reveals Constitutional Faultline
Government officials are working hard to bring two pieces of contradictory cannabis legislation into being. The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act specifically forbids commercial trade while a new law is being drafted that will allow it. Adv Simi Pillay-van Graan (pictured here) points out that this is not a technical oversight, it’s a constitutional faultline that needs to be addressed.
True Market Horror Comes to Light: US Cannabis Industry Giants Crash in Value From US$37 B to US$4 B in Just 3 Years
The United States cannabis market has been taking strain for some time despite legalization gathering momentum. A new study reveals just how much strain the legal market has taken, with an astonishing collapse in value in just a matter of years.
Cannabis Packaging: Searching for Sustainable Solutions as Plastic Waste Becomes an Issue
One gram of cannabis in the States can generate up to 70 times its weight in packaging materials. That fact alone highlights the issue of plastic waste that the cannabis industry across the world is producing, raising questions of sustainabiity going forward.
SACCA: New Private Club Movement Launched as Pressure Mounts for Legal Recognition
A new initiative to unify private cannabis clubs to lobby for legal recognition has just been launched. The South African Cannabis Clubs Alliance (SACCA) says the time is critical for the private club movement to speak with one voice ahead of the anticipated release of draft regulations that will empower the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act.
TUT Takes Plant Medicine to New Level, Sees Cannabis as a Catalyst for Health Innovation
The Tshwane University of Technology is spearheading breakthrough research on unlocking the value of plant medicine. It has honed in on four product streams for R&D – neutraceuticals, traditional medicine, mushroom cultivation and probiotics, with a view to developing community-based businesses.
Cannabis at the Crossroads: Lessons from the UK for South Africa’s Medical Cannabis Future
The release of the UK Medical Cannabis White Paper 2025 marks a pivotal moment in global cannabis policy, showcasing how evidence-based regulation, private-sector innovation, and patient-centred demand can create a thriving medical cannabis economy valued at over £300 million. In contrast, South Africa’s medical cannabis sector remains mired in regulatory inefficiencies, policy delays, and a lack of infrastructure, despite our immense potential as a global leader in cannabis production.
What if Compliance is Beyond Enforcement and the ‘Grey Zone’ Is the Future Arriving Early?
There has been an unspoken assumption that mainstreaming the cannabis retail ‘Grey Zone’ into a regulated framework is something that could work. What if it can’t? What if the ‘Grey Zone’ is actually the future? Could the concept of ‘regulation’ become memories tinged with nostalgia? This is not far-fetched if you look at the tobacco industry which has left regulatory compliance in the dust.
Namibia’s Biggest Cannabis Bust – Trial Begins Amidst Anti-Cannabis Protests
Community protests took place at the Okahandja Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, where the four men accused in Namibia’s largest ever cannabis bust were refused bail. The case has raised tensions between pro- and anti-cannabis activists in Namibia as the country’s populace remains deeply divided over legalization.
Cannabis and Psychedelics Rated Highly as Treatments for Eating Disorders
The American Medical Association studied a wide range of drugs to research their effects on alleviating symptoms of eating disorder. Cannabis and psychedelics were the most ‘highly rated’ of a small class of drugs found to be effective in this sphere.
European Medical Cannabis Sector Experiencing ‘Unprecedented Growth’
Europe’s medical cannabis landscape has undergone a decade of immense change and is growing like never before. The market is expanding rapidly, driven by progressive legislation, expanding patient access and a maturing supply chain.