Although Lesotho legalized cannabis exports in 2018, Africa has been a slow starter in joining the ranks of those countries pushing for reform and regulated markets. Although fewer than a quarter of the continent’s countries have partially legalized cannabis, primarily medical cannabis for export and industrial hemp, Africa has the potential to be a future powerhouse on the international cannabis stage. Stay in the loop with all the news, policy, legislative, regulatory and market developments with Cannabiz Africa, your reliable content guide to the African cannabis environment.
Cannabis reform in South Africa and Zimbabwe continues to marginalize traditional growers in favour of the business elite. Academics Simon Howell and Clemence Rusenga write that that to overcome policies that perpetuate inequality and unfairness, there needs to be a deeper relationship between communities and commercial investors.
A landmark case is heading to the Supreme Court of Mauritius in which an 81 year-old is challenging the constitutionality of the Indian Ocean’s island’s drug laws. These date back to 1840, and while they have been amended to legalize medical use and decriminalize possession of small amounts, Mauritius appears resistant to further reforms.
Namibian activists seeking to overturn the country’s prohibition on cannabis use say they detect a softening of the Government’s stance. This is evident in court papers ahead of the next High Court hearing scheduled for 12 November 2025 after yet another postponement.
Two Air Peace pilots have been bust in Nigeria for flying under the influence of THC and alcohol. This after the aircraft they were flying ,with 103 passengers on board, veered off the Port Harcourt runway on landing before it came to a bumpy standstill. Fortunately no one was injured and no damage done.
The Rwandan government wants the South African Cannabis and Hemp Industry Development Alliance (SACHIDA) to assist it in developing its broader medical cannabis framework. This follows the visit in October to Rwanda by SACHIDA founding member Cian McClelland who met Rwandan government officials to discuss licensing and the regulatory framework.
Gauteng-based Druids Garden and Nigeria’s Vie Lifestyle are expected to be among the first licensed operators in Rwanda’s emerging cannabis sector. Druids Holdings Group CEO Cian McClelland visited Rwanda this month to formalize a partnership that’s emerging as a case study in African cannabis collaboration.
The Mauritius Times has called for a review of Island nation’s approach to cannabis, saying legalization could be a way of fighting organized crime. Maritius has become an Indian Ocean hub in international narco-trafficking and the newspaper says the work of law enforcement could be made easier if cannabis was ‘depenalised’.
Farm owner David van der Linden (pictured on the right) is on trial for one of the biggest cannabis busts in Namibian history after being arrested during a police raid in Okahandja earlier this year. Now he’s facing additional charges relating to cattle going missing from his government feedlot contract.
Hemp stakeholders in Ghana are anxiously awaiting the outcome from Parliament to find out how much it will cost and what it will take to become industrial cannabis cultivators. After four long years of preparing a hemp ‘legal instrument’, MP’s are expected to debate and decide on what license fees will be charged.
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.
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