Pass the Dutchie….Medical Cannabis Legal in the Netherlands but Patient Access Remains a Challenge
The Dutch medical cannabis industry is struggling to match legality wth accessibility. A recent survey revealed the Netherlands has an estimated 500 000 people seeking to use cannabis for medical purposes but only 7 000 or so have actually managed to get prescriptions.
FGFA: Six Things Cannabis Users Still Get Wrong About the Law
South Africa’s cannabis law is often described as “unclear.” In truth, many of the rights are clear — they’re just poorly understood, unevenly applied, and frequently ignored by authorities. Here are six common misunderstandings that continue to put cannabis users at risk.
Thailand Poised to Recriminalize Cannabis as Boom Sparks Backlash – and Boredom
The Thailand cannabis industry, estimated to be worth $1 billion, is poised to shrink or disappear completely. A public backlash against legalization has resulted in all three parties going to the polls on 8 February 2026 promising to impose further restrictions if elected.
Zimbabwe Cannabis Exports Going Nowhere, Now the First License Holders Have Been Hit with a US$20 000 Renewal Fee
Bad news awaits the first wave of Zimbabwean cannabis cultivators who’s licenses come up for renewal as their five year validity comes to an end. The handful who are still in business will have to pay an unforeseen, once-off US20 000 renewal fee, a fresh setback for a sector yet to generate any sustainable exports.
Sun is Shining, Weather is Sweet for Bob Marley Inc as Estate Continues to Rake in Millions – 45 Years After His Passing
Reggae icon Bob Marley lives on in branded merchandise that earned his estate US$13 million last year. This week marks the birthday of the man who’s message of peace and love is now a money-making machine.
British Media Stuck Between Stigma and Sensationalism in Coverage of Long-Awaited UK Cannabis Policing Guidelines
The stigma of cannabis still runs deeply through the United Kingdom as evidenced in the ‘shock horror’ tabloid headlines that accompanied the release of long-awaited policing guidelines regarding cannabis. Sensationalism still beats evidence-based reporting on cannabis in the mainstream media.
Charl Botha: ‘Farmer Inclusion in Hemp Regulations Engagement is Positive, Let’s Build On It’
The hemp sector may be on the verge of a regulatory breakthrough after a meeting between non-government cannabis stakeholders and the Department of Agriculture last week. The meeting was initiated by Charl Botha of H3 Legal Solutions. This is his report-back.
Govt to Relook at SAPS Involvement in Hemp Permit Applications After Consensus-Building Stakeholder Meeting
The Department of Agriculture has acknowledged that the role of law enforcement in the issuing of hemp permits should be reviewed. This follows an interdepartmental engagement between the Department and cannabis stakeholders in Gauteng this week to discuss problematic areas of the Plant Improvement Act and other issues affecting hemp.
Botswana Last Mile Conference Looking to Establish Medical Cannabis Framework
Botswana hosts the First Mile Cannabis Conference on 30 January 2026 which puts medical cannabis on the map, now a hemp framework has been established. The Africa Canada Chamber of Commerce Conference and Expo will look specifically at how medical cannabis can fit into Botswana’s evolving cannabis development programme.
SACHIDA Working with Botswana Government to Design Landrace Protection Programme
High license fees could complicate the transfrontier cannabis landrace initiative between SACHIDA and Botswana’s agricultural researchers, but as SACHIDA’s Cian McLelland says, ‘we’ll see where that conversation goes” when the Association visits Gaberone this weekend for the Canda Africa Cannabis and Hemp Trade Expo.