Health Department Challenges Tobacco Industry Over Safety of Vaping
The Health Department wants to impose greater restrictions on the sale of vapes, accusing the tobacco industry of misrepresenting e-cigarettes as a means of ‘harms reduction’. Vaping is getting out of hand amongst youngsters, say public health advocates, who want the Bill to put severe restrictions on how vaping products are sold and displayed.
Psychiatry Association Warns ‘Ketamine Craze’ Coming to SA – Along with its Breakthrough Benefits and Associated Dangers
The anaesthetic ketamine has evolved into a so-called game-changing treatment for depression and its use in South Africa is on the rise. More and more ‘ketamine clinics’ are appearing online offering treatments and cashing in on the lack of guidelines, while recreational use of the drug appears is gaining popularity.
UN Drugs Report 2025: North Americans Now Consuming More Cannabis Than Anyone Else, Anywhere
Over 20% of North Americans have consumed cannabis over the past year. The comparable figure in West Africa is 10% and in South Africa 5%! The latest UN figures show that cannabis use has increased 34% worldwide over the past decade.
Cannabis Seeds Launched To Orbit By SpaceX Crash Into Sea, Setting Back Mission To Grow Marijuana On Mars
A science experiment intended to study how cannabis seeds fare in space—in hopes of one day planting the crop on the moon or even Mars—failed last week when a capsule carrying the payload crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
Released Cannabis Leader to Sue Namibian Govt for N$1,25 Million for Human Rights Abuse
Ganja Users of Namibia President Brian Jaftha spent nearly two years in jail for possessing 100 gm of cannabis and forfeited assets to the state of N$160 000. He was released early as a gesture of goodwill by the Government, but tells Africa Editor John Makoni in his first interview since his release, that this is not justice enough and is to sue for N$1,25 million in damages in his personal capacity.
Western Cape’s CanPlan to Focus on Hemp Trials and Knowledge Transfer
The Western Cape’s CanPlan is taking shape with the province aligning itself with the DTIC in the foundational development of the hemp industry. Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer (pictured here) says the focus is on knowledge transfer and farmer support with hemp varietal trials currently underway.
Morocco Becoming Ghana’s Mentor in Developing a Cannabis Regulatory Framework
Ghanaian officials will head to Morocco this month to learn from one of Africa’s most experienced cannabis producers, as Accra prepares to bring an age-old illicit crop into the legal economy. This follows a meeting earlier this year in which Morocco offered Ghana assistance in establishing a regulatory framework that includes smallholder farmers.
DTIC: SA Cannabis Licensing System to be Completely Overhauled and Placed Under Control of a Central Cannabis Authority ASAP
The DTIC’s draft cannabis commercialization policy envisages the centralization of all licensing issues under one roof – that of a ‘central authority’ that will establish and oversee a completely new cannabis and hemp licensing regime in which retailers will be accommodated.
DTIC to Build ‘Cannabis Finance Eco System’ to Accelerate Funding for the Master Plan
The DTIC wants to fast-track the creation of financial instruments to support the National Cannabis Master Plan. It wants Treasury to come up with tax incentives for private investors and is to get Government to focus on funding legacy farmers and SMME’s across the value chain.
Thailand Restricts Cannabis to Medical Use Only
In a significant shift, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has officially restricted cannabis use exclusively to medical purposes, rolling out new regulations aimed at preventing misuse and ensuring its benefits are channeled solely for health.