‘Co-Use’ of Cannabis and Vaping Contributing to a Looming Youth Mental Health Crisis
A University of Pretoria health expert warns that a mental health crisis is looming among young South Africans amid alarming increases in both vaping and cannabis use. Known as co-use, the trend is being fuelled by poor regulation, loopholes in the law and insufficient attention to youth mental health and well-being.
State Wins Battle to Seize West Rand House Used for Cannabis Dealing
A West Rand property owner had lost his legal fight to prevent his house being confiscated by the state because it was a site of cannabis dealing between 2022 and 2023. The South Gauteng High Court has granted the NPDD a preservation order to seize the property after a long-running legal battle.
Labat Earnings Rocket, Share Price Doubles as Market Loves Its Anticipated Return to Profitability
Labat came out of the naughty corner to be the darling of the JSE this week with news that its earnings per share have rocketed by 378%. The news provoked a buying frenzy on the JSE on 16 October 2025 which led to Labat’s share price doubling in a matter of hours.
Qure’s Brenda Marx: The Lab Perspective on Consumer Safety and the Grey Zone
Brenda Marx says only a handful of ‘grey zone’ operators are regularly testing the products they stock and there are potential consumer harms associated with this. Qure’s veteran Laboratory Director says some form of quality and safety framework is long overdue but the million dollar question is who should actually regulate this.
Pathways to Legality: Project Indlela’s Unity Call Resonates Amongst SA Cannabis Stakeholders
Project Indlela, the cannabis unity initiative, has evolved beyond private club representation into a broader movement for cannabis stakeholders seeking a path to legality. To this end Cannabiz Africa will be hosting a Path to Legality Round Table webinar on 11 November 2025 that aims to bring together to co-create a lawful, inclusive cannabis framework.
CSIR’s Katurere: Fast-Track Setting Up a Central Cannabis Authority to End Reform Chaos
One of South Africa’s leading researchers in cannabis science and policy, the CSIR and TUT academic, David Katurere, has called for the urgent establishment of the central cannabis authority envisaged by the DTIC to halt the regulatory morass South African cannabis is sliding into.
Counterfeit Crooks Brazenly Hijack Synergy Wellness Labelling as Grey Zone Lawlessness Grows
South Africa’s rapidly growing cannabis sector faces a new wave of criminal opportunism as counterfeiters exploit grey-market retail channels to sell fake cannabis products disguised as legitimate medical brands.
KZN: SAPS Phoenix Warns of Impending Clampdown on the Cannabis ‘Grey Zone’
SAPS Phoenix says it is to begin clamping down on unregulated cannabis outlets and has warned the public that although it is legal to consume cannabis privately, there can be no commercial trade in cannabis flowers or edibles.
‘Angola Red’ One of the Most Coveted Cannabis Strains in the World Top 10 ‘Desirable List’
Angola Red has been declared one of the world’s 10 most coveted cannabis varieties. The rare landrace is believed to be one of the oldest indigenous African landraces with its origins dating way back before Portuguese colonialism. Africa Editor John Makoni takes a look at the Top 10 rarest and most desired cannabis strains as published by the authoritative Herb platform.
Zimbabwe to Create Specialised Drug Courts to Cope with Growing Substance Abuse
The government in Harare has announced the creation of specialised courts to tackle drug and substance abuse in a move the government says is aimed at protecting public health and safeguarding the country’s future.