More Study Needed on Potential Harms as European Cannabis Landscape Becomes More Complicated More research is urgently needed on the harms associated with cannabis as the plant remains by far the most commonly consumed illicit drug in Europe. Around 23 million people regularly use cannabis which is relatively stable compared to the previous year. A new report identifies key trends in cannabis being the divergent regulatory approaches by different countries, a greater choice of consumer product, and the rising omnipresence of THC. Cannabiz Africa 24/08/23, 11:00 [object Object] INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS PREVIOUS NEXT Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Hemp SA: A Quick Guide to the State of the Sector Industrial cannabis (hemp) is where all Government’s energy is going and this is clearly where the most entrepreneurial opportunities lie. Control over non-medical cannabis is being handed over to the Agriculture Department and the plant will soon be dropped from the Drugs Act. This changes in the regulatory framework are slowly coming into place. Kagiso Peterson 3 October 2024 at 09:00:00 This report from Cape Town Today, published on 24 September 2024. South Africa has made significant strides towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly economy with the granting of 1,110 licenses for hemp cultivation. The Cannabis Master Plan aims to enhance economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation in South Africa with nine robust pillars. The plan covers all aspects of the industry, from growing to consumption, and everything in between, and showcases a clear vision for an environmentally sustainable future while creating a plethora of economic and environmental opportunities. Towards a Sustainable Economy: The Rise of South Africa’s Hemp Market. South Africa has granted 1,110 licenses for hemp cultivation, following the endorsement of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024. The Cannabis Master Plan aims to significantly enhance economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation in South Africa with nine robust pillars. The country’s blossoming hemp industry showcases a clear vision for an environmentally sustainable future while creating a plethora of economic and environmental opportunities. Towards a Sustainable Economy: The Rise of South Africa’s Hemp Market South Africa has taken a substantial leap towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy by granting a total of 1,110 licenses for hemp cultivation. Known for its versatility and renewability, hemp serves as an excellent source of fiber and oil. This progressive decision follows the endorsement of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024, which paved the way for a thriving hemp and cannabis sector. Maropene Ramokgopa, the Acting Minister in The Presidency, recently presented an update to the media regarding the progress of the Cannabis Master Plan . This detailed plan serves as a roadmap for setting up, nurturing, and expanding the cannabis and hemp industry. It aims to significantly enhance economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation in South Africa. The Master Plan is built upon nine robust pillars, namely Effective Regulatory Services, Sustainable Seed Supply Systems , Research and Technology Development, Producer Support Systems, Market Development, Enterprise and Supplier Development, Manufacturing and Product Development, Education and Training, and Communication and Awareness. The plan provides a comprehensive overview, covering all aspects of the industry, from growing to consumption, and everything in between. Policy and Legal Developments: Nurturing the Industry On the policy front, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is in the process of drafting regulations to support the Cannabis for Private Purposes initiative. Simultaneously, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, under the Department of Health’s supervision, has completed consultations regarding changes to the Schedules of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965. The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition, demonstrating the Master Plan’s holistic approach, has concluded a situational and value chain analysis of the Hemp and Cannabis sector. The department is now ready to commence discussions on the Cannabis Commercialisation Policy , marking a crucial step towards a more sustainable economy. Agricultural and Product Developments: Revolutionary Steps towards Progress The Agricultural Research Council (ARC), backed by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), have cultivated two new hemp varieties. These varieties are currently in their second season of seed multiplication and are expected to be available for the 2025 growing season. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development approved the Hemp Certification Scheme in May 2024, in another significant advancement. This scheme is designed to uphold the varietal purity and quality of hemp propagation material, thus promoting the production of superior hemp seeds. The DALRRD, in partnership with the ARC, has initiated a research project worth R124 million. This project will concentrate on Cannabis breeding for medicinal, fiber, and other applications, plant disease monitoring, indigenous germplasm gathering, and seed system development. Fostering Innovation and Monitoring: Key Aspects of the Master Plan In an effort to stimulate enterprise and innovation within the hemp sector, the DALRRD, in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, is providing support to 10 small, medium, and micro enterprises in Gauteng for product development. The ARC has formulated a thorough training program for inspection services, acknowledging that monitoring and observing hemp cultivation is a crucial aspect of the Master Plan. South Africa’s blossoming hemp industry showcases a clear vision for an environmentally sustainable future while creating a plethora of economic and environmental opportunities. The careful planning and structured development are guiding South Africa’s path towards sustainability, economic progress, and poverty reduction. It is hoped that other countries will also take notice and realize the potential of hemp in promoting sustainable development and economic growth. 1. How many licenses has South Africa granted for hemp cultivation? South Africa has granted a total of 1,110 licenses for hemp cultivation. 2. What is the Cannabis Master Plan? The Cannabis Master Plan is a roadmap for setting up, nurturing, and expanding the cannabis and hemp industry in South Africa. It aims to significantly enhance economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation in the country through nine robust pillars covering all aspects of the industry. 3. What are the nine robust pillars of the Cannabis Master Plan? The nine robust pillars of the Cannabis Master Plan are Effective Regulatory Services, Sustainable Seed Supply Systems, Research and Technology Development, Producer Support Systems, Market Development, Enterprise and Supplier Development, Manufacturing and Product Development, Education and Training, and Communication and Awareness. 4. What policy developments are currently underway in South Africa regarding hemp and cannabis? The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is in the process of drafting regulations to support the Cannabis for Private Purposes initiative, while the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has completed consultations regarding changes to the Schedules of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965. The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition has also concluded a situational and value chain analysis of the Hemp and Cannabis sector and is ready to commence discussions on the Cannabis Commercialisation Policy. 5. What product developments and research projects are currently underway in South Africa? The Agricultural Research Council has cultivated two new hemp varieties and initiated a research project worth R124 million focusing on cannabis breeding for medicinal, fiber, and other applications, plant disease monitoring, indigenous germplasm gathering, and seed system development. The Hemp Certification Scheme has also been approved to promote the production of superior hemp seeds. 6. What is the focus of the ARC’s training program? The ARC’s training program is focused on inspection services as monitoring and observing hemp cultivation is a crucial aspect of the Cannabis Master Plan. # Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS More Study Needed on Potential Harms as European Cannabis Landscape Becomes More Complicated More research is urgently needed on the harms associated with cannabis as the plant remains by far the most commonly consumed illicit drug in Europe. Around 23 million people regularly use cannabis which is relatively stable compared to the previous year. A new report identifies key trends in cannabis being the divergent regulatory approaches by different countries, a greater choice of consumer product, and the rising omnipresence of THC. Cannabiz Africa 23 August 2024 at 11:00:00 The European Drug Report 2024 , published on 11 June 2024, estimates that 8 % of European adults (22.8 million aged 15 to 64) have used cannabis in the last year. It says there has been a mixed bag of increased and decreased usage in different European states resulting in the overall consumption situation being relatively stable. It notes increased legalization in different ways accross Europe and notes there is an ongoing debate on how best to respond with some countries finding they have to modify their regulatory approach. Although reporting of “harms” associated with cannabis remains relatively stable, the cannabis section of the Report calls for more research on the negative effects of cannabis consumption. This is because of cannabis products with higher potency entering the illicit and legal markets and the rise of synthetic cannabis production and use. According to the Report: “Cannabis use can cause or exacerbate a range of physical and mental health problems, including chronic respiratory symptoms, cannabis dependence and psychotic symptoms. In addition, studies have found that regular cannabis use can be associated with poorer educational achievement and an increased risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. Problems are most associated with early onset of use, high-potency products and more regular and long-term patterns of use.” The report finds that cannabis is responsible for more than one third of all drug treatment admissions in Europe, but says this is difficult to interpret, “in part because of the wide variety of interventions provided to cannabis users, which may include brief interventions or directive referrals from the criminal justice system”. It recommends further work to better understand the kind of services offered to those with cannabis problems. “Evaluating the risk of harm in this area is complicated by the apparently increasing range of cannabis-based products potentially available to consumers, which can include edibles, high-potency products and various derivatives”. It also reports increased THC potency on offer from both the illegal and legal markets. “The potency of seized cannabis resin continued to increase in 2022, with the average resin sample now containing just under 25 % THC. This is very high by historical standards, potentially creating elevated health risks, particularly when associated with early onset of use. In contrast, the average potency of seized herbal cannabis has hovered at around 10 % THC for some years.” The Drug Report says several countries are modifying their regulatory approach as some EU Member States are “considering or changing their policy approach to recreational cannabis use, creating various forms of access to cannabis resin and herb.” In Europe Spain accounts for the most cannabis seizures although the Report observes that drug smuggling networks are becoming more discreet and diverse. This is an excerpt from the Cannabis Section of the World Drug Report 2024. Understanding the policy and practice implications of changes in Europe’s cannabis market remains a priority Cannabis remains by far the most commonly consumed illicit drug in Europe. National surveys of cannabis use would suggest that, overall, an estimated 8 % of European adults (22.8 million aged 15 to 64) have used cannabis in the last year. At the same time, there is an ongoing debate on how best to respond to the use of this drug, with some countries modifying their regulatory approach. We are also seeing significant developments in the cannabis market. Taken together, this all means that there remains a pressing need to understand better the potential harms associated with different patterns of cannabis consumption and the implications this raises for policy and practice. There is a need to better understand what responses are effective Around 1.3 % of adults in the European Union (3.7 million people) are estimated to be daily or almost daily users of cannabis, and this is the group most likely to experience problems associated with this drug. Cannabis use can cause or exacerbate a range of physical and mental health problems, including chronic respiratory symptoms, cannabis dependence and psychotic symptoms. In addition, studies have found that regular cannabis use can be associated with poorer educational achievement and an increased risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. Problems are most associated with early onset of use, high-potency products and more regular and long-term patterns of use. There remains, however, a need to understand better the kinds of problems experienced by cannabis users, as well as what are appropriate referral pathways and effective treatment options for those with cannabis-related problems. Cannabis is reported to be responsible for more than one third of all drug treatment admissions in Europe. This finding is difficult to interpret, in part because of the wide variety of interventions provided to cannabis users, which may include brief interventions or directive referrals from the criminal justice system. Further work is needed to understand better the kind of services offered to those with cannabis problems. However, the information that does exist would suggest that psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, are commonly offered and that e-health (online) interventions appear to be increasingly available. Evaluating the risk of harm in this area is complicated by the apparently increasing range of cannabis-based products potentially available to consumers, which can include edibles, high-potency products and various derivatives. This diversity can have implications for the risk of an individual experiencing problems with their cannabis use and is therefore an area that requires greater research and regulatory attention. Overall, the number of people reported as entering treatment for cannabis problems for the first time remained relatively stable until 2019, before declining during the pandemic, and not returning to pre-pandemic levels in most EU Member States by 2022 (see Treatment entry for cannabis use , below). A caveat here is that data quality and coverage issues mean that this observation must be interpreted with caution. Seizures indicate that trafficking routes may be diversifying Seizures of cannabis products overall continued to be at historically high levels in 2022, indicating the high availability of this drug (see Cannabis market data ,). However, the total quantity of cannabis resin seized in the European Union dropped significantly, largely due to a decrease in seizures reported by Spain. It is possible that this may reflect an adaptation in supply routes by those involved in trafficking cannabis resin from North Africa to Europe as a response to anti-trafficking measures taken by Spanish authorities. In this context, it is also interesting to note that since 2019 the volume of herbal cannabis seized has increased significantly in Spain. In 2022, Spain accounted for 69 % of all resin seized, 47 % of all herbal cannabis seized, and 81 % of the total number of cannabis plants reported seized in the European Union, underlining the significant role played by Spain, both as a transit country for cannabis trafficking and as a production area. However, it is important to note that significant cannabis production also takes place elsewhere in the European Union. Recent large seizures highlight the role Spain continues to play as a transit country for resin intended for the European market. In 2023, for example, Spanish authorities seized 22 tonnes of cannabis resin concealed in fake tomato packaging suspected of being destined for trafficking to France. Although new products and forms of this drug are available, herbal cannabis and cannabis resin remain the most commonly available forms. While the quantities of cannabis resin seized in the European Union are greater than those of herbal cannabis, this is thought to reflect the greater vulnerability of cannabis resin to interdiction measures in cross-border trafficking, rather than availability or use. The information available suggests that herbal cannabis is the more commonly available form of the drug in most countries. Herbal cannabis may be grown near to its intended consumer market, and this may reduce the risk of detection. The potency of seized cannabis resin continued to increase in 2022, with the average resin sample now containing just under 25 % THC. This is very high by historical standards, potentially creating elevated health risks, particularly when associated with early onset of use. In contrast, the average potency of seized herbal cannabis has hovered at around 10 % THC for some years. Some worrying new developments in the detection of cannabis seizures entering Europe may indicate that trafficking routes are diversifying and creating a growing challenge for interdiction efforts. These include, for example, the seizure of 4 tonnes of cannabis resin originating from Pakistan in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. Moreover, this is evidence that Morocco is not the only source of resin for the European cannabis market. Some EU Member States reported the trafficking of cannabis through postal systems and, increasingly, through commercial air travel, sometimes linked to the United States and Canada. There are indications that larger quantities of herbal cannabis may be shipped from North America via maritime routes. This, alongside the appearance of new forms of the drug, raises concerns that developments in regulated cannabis markets outside Europe may increasingly have implications for the availability of this drug within the European Union in the future. Changing cannabis markets create new challenges for drug policies The diversity of cannabis products available in Europe is increasing. This is true for the illicit drug market. It is also true for the consumer market, where products are appearing that contain low levels of THC, or other substances that may be derived from the cannabis plant such as CBD, or both. On the illicit drug market, the availability of high-potency extracts and edibles is of particular concern and has been linked to acute drug-toxicity presentations in hospital emergency departments. In addition, there are concerns that some products sold on the illicit market as cannabis may be adulterated with potent synthetic cannabinoids. For more information on these synthetic cannabinoids, see New psychoactive substances – the current situation in Europe . Some semi-synthetic cannabinoids have also appeared recently on the commercial market in parts of Europe. These are substances thought to be produced from cannabidiol extracted from low-THC cannabis (hemp), not controlled under the international drug conventions. Probably the most commonly encountered semi-synthetic cannabinoid is hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), but also more recently hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHC-P) and tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP) have become commercially available in some EU Member States. These substances have been sold as purportedly ‘legal’ alternatives to cannabis, adding to the regulatory challenges in this area. While knowledge of the effects of HHC in humans is limited, concerns have been raised as studies have emerged, including some reports of links to psychosis. Between June 2022 and February 2024, Czechia’s Toxicology Information Centre recorded over 170 consultations on HHC. Many of the cases involved young people, including children, who had consumed edibles, such as gummy bears. HHC has been listed as a controlled drug in at least 18 EU Member States as of April 2024. The European policy approach to cannabis is also becoming more diverse, as some EU Member States are considering or changing their policy approach to recreational cannabis use, creating various forms of access to cannabis resin and herb products. In December 2021, Malta legislated for home growing and cannabis use in private, alongside non-profit communal growing clubs. In July 2023, Luxembourg legislated to permit home growing and use in private, and in February 2024, Germany legislated to allow home growing and non-profit cannabis growing clubs. Czechia has also announced plans for a regulated and taxed distribution system. In addition, non-EU Switzerland has started to authorise pilot trials of sales or other distribution systems for specific residents in certain cities. The Netherlands is also reviewing its approach in this area. The cultivation, sale and possession of cannabis remain criminal offences in the Netherlands. However, the sale of small quantities of cannabis, up to 5 grams, to people over the age of 18 in ‘coffeeshops’ that meet certain criteria has been tolerated for decades, with one of the policy objectives stated as separating cannabis consumers from the market for other substances. A concern with this approach is that cannabis is still necessarily supplied from the illegal market, and criminal groups therefore benefit from this trade. To address this issue, the Netherlands is piloting a model for a closed cannabis supply chain in 10 municipalities, with cannabis produced in regulated premises being made available for sale in cannabis coffeeshops. # Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Russian Foreign Ministry: Brittney Griner May Be Part of Prisoner Swap Moscow says “quiet diplomacy” is underway which could see Olympian basketball star Brittney Griner released as part of a broader prisoner exchange. Reuters 20 August 2022 at 04:00:00 Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Bet You Didn’t Know This: UK is World’s Biggest Producer of Medical Cannabis! The UN Drug Report 2022 says of the 40 reporting countries, the UK, Ireland and Canada are the biggest suppliers of global medical cannabis, accounting for 71% of the market. Cannabiz Africa 23 September 2022 at 11:00:00 Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS New World Order! Beijing's Hong Kong Administration to Ban CBD; Labels it as Dangerous a Drug as Heroin The new Beijing-controlled Hong Kong administration intends outlawing CBD by February 2023 in a move that is going to wipe out many businesses currently selling CBD products. And even more alarmingly it will put cannabidiol into the same category of drugs as heroin and cocaine with transgressors of the law facing prison sentences. The Citizen 22 October 2022 at 12:00:00 Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Zimbabwe: It Doesn't Bode Well - Cannabis Reform Is Pitting Small-Scale Farmers Against Agri-Business Bristol University academic Clemence Rusenga offers a deep dive into Zimbabwe’s cannabis sector. One of his conclusions is that Harare’s cannabis reform is aimed at attracting foreign investment rather than uplifting subsistence farmers and that this is going to create a deepening schism between agri-business and illicit growers. Clemence Rusenga, University of Bristol 3 May 2024 at 09:00:00 Origins of legalisation Cannabis policy changes in Zimbabwe were driven by both private sector and governmental interests. In 2015, Dr Zorodzai Maroveke, a young dentist who founded the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust (ZIHT) in 2017, started lobbying the government to allow for legal production of cannabis and its industrial applications. Her organisation credits the government’s warm response to its proposals partly on its strategy which focused on industrial rather than recreational uses. The coming into power of a new pro-business government in 2017 also accelerated the reforms (Interview 21, Cannabis Industry Insider 27/2/2023). As explained by the Minister of Agriculture, for the Zimbabwean government cannabis holds strategic economic value as an alternative crop that can complement the main crop, tobacco. This view was expressed also in interviews with contacts from the cannabis regulatory bodies (MCAZ and AMA) and the government institute (Kutsaga Research) mandated to conduct cannabis research and development in the country. The emergence of a legal cannabis market globally seems to have been a factor as well, with the Minister of Finance claiming to target a US$1 billion market share for the country in the long term. Cannabis policy reforms in Zimbabwe were not driven by the need to resolve the problem of illicit cannabis production, trading and use or a focus on rural livelihoods. Unlike in South Africa where cannabis activists used legal means to fight for their interests (Grooten Citation2023 ), cannabis policy in Zimbabwe was shaped by the converging interests of the business class and the government. The government wanted to encourage investment in the country from both local and foreign sources while the private sector wanted to harness the economic potential that cannabis provides in the emerging global market. The medicinal and industrial route (rather than recreational) represented a safer common ground for both sides, but one that did not represent the interests of illicit cultivators, traders and consumers. As will be shown later, this partial legalisation and the focus on export markets preserves illicit markets and ensures continuation of cannabis-linked livelihoods, at least for now. Cannabis licensing processes and beneficiaries Medicinal cannabis and hemp are regulated by MCAZ and AMA, respectively. While AMA handles the hemp applications directly, those for medicinal cannabis are facilitated through the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), on behalf of MCAZ. ZIDA was established to promote and facilitate investment in Zimbabwe, handling both foreign and national investors (ZIDA Citation2022 ). An interviewed MCAZ official stated that the application is submitted to ZIDA which vets the files for security clearance before forwarding to MCAZ for issuance of a license which is then dispatched to the applicant through ZIDA. In the case of hemp, apart from license fees and the standard inspection fee of US$200 for all permit categories, additional requirements include security clearance, cultivation site maps, certificate of incorporation if a company and a valid tax clearance, among others (Statutory Instrument 218 2020). In line with the government’s ‘open for business’ mantra, an interviewed AMA official stressed that it takes only up to 72 hours to get a license, with renewal costing US$200. On the other hand, medicinal cannabis licensee fees range from US$5,000 (research) to US$50,000 (cannabis production) with an inspection fee of US$2,500 (Statutory Instrument 62 Citation2018 ). The ZIDA guidelines state that an application fee of US$11,250 is needed on submission of the application. Additional costs include an annual return fee of US$15,000, license renewal costs of US$20,000 and US$2,500 for cannabis production and research and development respectively (Statutory Instrument 62 Citation2018 ). Further requirements include proof of having land for the proposed business, a detailed security plan, proof of funds and a detailed business plan, among others. A closer look at the profiles of some of the license beneficiaries shows the predominance of agribusinesses and the domestic business class in the sector, with foreign investors coming from countries such as South Africa, Namibia, USA, Switzerland and the UK. The licensing conditions act as administrative barriers to entry especially for those without substantial resources. Commenting on the license fees, an interviewed former member of parliament for a rural constituency with a potential for involvement in cannabis production said ‘ … this is an exclusionary approach, and it is bad. Who is going to get that amount? People should be allowed to produce it just like they produce maize, and be registered for regulatory purposes’ . An elderly illicit cultivator concurred saying, ‘[T]his is why we will continue to cultivate cannabis in the forests because there is no one who will afford the US$200 to US$50,000 license fees’ (Interview 36, Illicit Producer 8/8/2022). In contrast, others viewed high license fees as justified because having fewer industry players enabled better monitoring and control for the government against illegal supply and drug abuse. An interviewed local political leader in Binga argued that the fees act as a screening mechanism that ensured that only those with adequate resources and those who are ‘serious’ about business will participate. An interviewed AMA official also raised this point saying, ‘license fees are now playing a security role, sort of screening farmers … the license is costing $50,000 which is not easy to acquire’ . Most community members (including illicit cultivators and traders) and representatives of civil society and academia that were interviewed viewed the license fees as prohibitive and beyond the reach of many. There was also a view that although small-scale farmers can struggle to enter the medical cannabis sector because it is capital intensive there was space for participation in the industrial hemp sector, including via out-grower programmes. This points to the possibility of having a socially differentiated agrarian cannabis sector, but one where most small-scale farmers grow industrial hemp with the medicinal sector almost exclusively for agribusinesses (including joint ventures). However, even the US$200 for an industrial hemp license is unaffordable for most citizens, including illicit cultivators. There seems also to be an evident contradiction between the government’s stated objective of helping tobacco farmers (the majority of whom are small-scale farmers) to adopt cannabis as a complementary lucrative cash crop and cannabis licensing which largely favours large corporations. The cannabis licensing fees are far higher than the US$10 tobacco farmers currently pay to register with the government. In addition, legalisation is not aimed at addressing illicit cannabis production, nor is there a programme to bring illicit cultivators into legal markets. Thus, the cannabis licensing process excludes the majority of small-scale cultivators currently producing tobacco and illicit cannabis. Nonetheless, the prolonged ban on recreational cannabis and the reforms’ focus on medicinal and industrial cannabis for export markets unintentionally preserves the domestic illicit cannabis market, allowing illicit players to continue their cannabis-linked livelihoods. This is contrary to experiences in Jamaica, the US, Canada, South Africa where legalisation for recreational purposes created direct competition between small-scale and licensed producers including agribusinesses. Hemp production dynamics The industrial hemp sector produces diverse products based on cannabis and is dominated by three varieties that farmers can produce – hemp grain, cannabidiol (CBD) flower and hemp fibre. Hemp grain is a seed which can be used to produce oil for body care products (soap, hand cream etc), food (salad oil and food supplements) and paints (oil paints, leather care etc). Hemp fibre can be used for production of paper and as bricks in the construction industry. On the other hand, CBD flower is used to produce CBD oil – a pharmaceutical ingredient. It was reported by the chief executive officer (CEO) of AMA in 2023 that Zimbabwean hemp farmers were currently only producing CBD flower for exports. This was confirmed by an interviewed cannabis industry insider, who said ‘mainly right now in Zimbabwe … we have the ones who are growing this for the CBD flower’ ). Hence, CBD flower dominates the early legal hemp sector in Zimbabwe. There are no domestic markets for hemp fibre and grain, and the farmers are not linked to international markets for those products. CBD flower farmers can either export their product or supply two local companies with CBD oil extraction facilities: Ivory Medical (Pvt) Ltd and Wild Leaf Farms (Pvt) Ltd. An interviewed hemp farmer whose company also extracts CBD oil for export said ‘[W]e have two companies, two processors of biomass who produces Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) … Ivory Medical and Wild Leaf Farms’. As an API, CBD oil should be extracted from cannabis produced under strict conditions that meet market standards including health and safety. The farmer should secure cultivation to prevent leakage to the community, ensure traceability and implement rigorous testing (for the soil, seeds, crop and oil) to make sure the cannabinoids are free of contaminants. The cost implications associated with this production regime has prevented many farmers from producing, as they lack the required financial, technical and human resources needed to establish production. Production cost projections per hectare vary depending on whether the hemp is grown outdoors or in the greenhouses and the type of hemp. An interviewed AMA official estimated the production cost at US$10,000 per hectare, with US$5,000 needed for the imported seeds and another US$5,000 for maintenance costs. However, it was indicated that hemp grain has lower costs ranging from US$2,000 to US$3,000 per hectare. Almost all inputs are imported as there are no domestic companies to produce them, with seed cost ranging from US$0.20 to US$0.33 per seed. A contact from a joint venture project in Mazoe, Mashonaland Central Province, which produces using greenhouses put the cost at US$15,000 per 2,500 square meters (0.25 hectares). With 6 hectares under production, it means US$360,000 was needed for greenhouses. The project has a CBD oil extraction facility on site as well, meaning the business cost is even higher. While foreign investors provide funds that enable such production, many farmers are struggling to produce under the prevailing regulatory, political and economic conditions. Eight hemp farmers produced 40,225 kilograms (kg) of CBD flower utilising 24.3 hectares in the 2021/2022 season. This means that 71 percent of the 26 registered cultivators in that season did not produce anything. Although 11 out of 31 registered farmers produced hemp for CBD flower in the 2022/23 season, there was a 22 percent decrease in hectarage used while output decreased to 11.6 tons (AMA Citation2024 ). This confirms that licensed farmers are struggling to produce due to various factors including high costs and regulatory and market challenges. While 8 tons of CBD flower were exported to Switzerland by two growers in the 2021/22 season, only 485 kg were exported in the 2022/23 season by three growers, with an additional 1 ton supplied to the local market by another grower. Export prices ranged from US$10 to US$50 per kg while the domestic market paid US$20 per kg. Two joint venture agribusinesses each currently produce over 1 ton of CBD oil per month for exports. One of them sells its oil through middlemen (with EU GMP certification) in Lesotho and South Africa. Oil prices ranged from US$250 to US$4,000 per kilogram depending on concentration. However, an interviewed licensed farmer made it clear that farmers are at the mercy of middlemen who offer lower prices, while they in turn fetch more when they supply EU markets. The difficulties that licensed cannabis farmers face make the sector less attractive to most of the current tobacco farmers for whom cannabis is partly meant to be an alternative cash crop. The farmers must also navigate the effects of political instability, volatile currency markets and banks’ scepticism regarding funding cannabis production. A farmer in a joint venture project near Harare said banks even refuse to open bank accounts for cannabis farmers because the terms ‘dangerous drugs and narcotics’ which appear on the licenses scare them off. While the production struggles of most farmers expose the sector to capture by agribusiness which possess better resources, political and economic instability make it harder even for agribusinesses to operate. Some, like Eco-Equity Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd (UK investors), have already closed while others such as Medigrow (South Africa investors) were yet to start production in the first half of 2023. The CBD flower sector’s focus on exports and the low THC content means that legal hemp farmers do not currently present competition to illicit cultivators and traders who subsist on supplying illicit cannabis for recreational purposes. While the reforms were aimed at attracting local and foreign investment into the country, achieving that goal is not guaranteed given the struggles licensed farmers experience in Zimbabwe. Medicinal cannabis production In contrast to hemp, cultivating medicinal cannabis is a very costly undertaking that accommodates only those with a lot of resources. The entry barriers for small-scale farmers and illicit cultivators begin with high license fees as noted earlier . However, an interviewed MCAZ official maintained that ‘[T]he issuance of production licenses does not discriminate. Equal opportunity is granted to all interested parties’. Others, however, acknowledge the exclusive nature of medicinal cannabis which they view as inevitable as it is a typical agro-pharmaceutical industry. Farmers can grow high-THC cannabis or medical grade cannabis for CBD oil and CBD powder for the pharmaceutical industry. Examples include Luxacan (Pvt) Ltd in Concession, Mashonaland Central Province, and Swiss Bioceuticals (Pvt) Ltd in Mt Hampden, Mashonaland West Province. Some grow cannabis trees for cuttings sold to other farmers as is the case on a farm near Harare. The produce is targeted at external markets, except for those producing tree cuttings. An MCAZ official stated that ‘[A]t the moment only six license holders have commenced production. The majority of the license holders are still in the process of constructing their cannabis cultivation sites’. Most inputs for the medicinal cannabis sector are imported. One farmer imported his seeds from Oregon, USA while another imported Fenocan feminised cannabis seeds from Switzerland. The general production requirements for medicinal cannabis are contained in Statutory Instrument 62 of 2018. Among other things, farmers are required to install perimeter fencing, CCTV cameras to monitor the whole site as well as producing cannabis in greenhouses. Medicinal cannabis must meet the ‘organically grown’ criteria. Commenting on greenhouses, an AMA official said: "The medicinal cannabis is mostly used for medicines. That is why it is grown in a controlled environment under greenhouses for it to be safer for human consumption". The greenhouses allow farmers to control temperatures, humidity, pests and contamination. Additional equipment includes sensor lighting, humidifiers and dehumidifiers and blowers – all critical in controlling the environment in the greenhouse. This equipment, alongside greenhouses and other specialised production inputs (like drip and fertigation systems) make medicinal cannabis production costly beyond many farmers’ affordability. Although cost estimates for producing one hectare varied, they ranged between US$250,000 and US$1 million inclusive of the infrastructure needed. The sector is clearly designed for investors – both local and foreign. However, the high costs and political and economic instability in the country combine to undermine agribusinesses’ capture of the sector. This nuance is missing in most literature on corporate capture which ignore local conditions such as those in Zimbabwe which affect agribusiness’ ability to establish itself in the medicinal cannabis sector. An interviewed MCAZ official estimated that by mid-2023 about 15 tons had been produced by medicinal cannabis farmers . He further stated that most of the cannabis that was produced was not yet for export but research purposes as farmers try to identify varieties that do well. However, during 2023 one farmer reported that he had started selling CBD powder to the UK market. He sold 50 kg for US$20,000 (US$400 per kg) and was in the process of supplying more CBD powder worth US$500,000 to the UK market. Access to export markets remains a challenge for the farmers. While lucrative, the medicinal cannabis business is an exclusive club for those with substantial resources – making it nearly impossible for illicit cultivators and small-scale farmers to establish themselves as serious players in the sector. Cannabis and access to land Licensed farmers have different backgrounds and utilise various means to access land. Some are commercial farmers who use part of their land for cannabis. An example is Luxacan (Pvt) Ltd in Concession, Mashonaland Central, which is situated on farmland owned by an agribusiness that grows roses for the international export market ). Others are new to farming, including those from the Zimbabwean diaspora. Expressing his observations about new cannabis farmers in Mashonaland Central Province, one interviewed licensed farmer said they are ‘buying small plots … six hectares, you know, small pieces of land. And they are getting into production, cannabis, industrial hemp’. Local politicians are also involved while some projects are wholly owned and operated by foreign investors such as Wild Leaf Farms and Avagro (Pvt) Ltd. However, there are also joint ventures where local and foreign investors team up to establish cannabis projects. The terms of agreements vary from project to project, but foreign investors usually bring foreign capital and facilitate market access with the local investors providing land (either leased or owned) and operational management responsibilities. Agribusinesses utilise various means to access land including leasing from local farmers. Cannabis’ demand for productive land contributes to land use changes. However, some prefer so-called virgin land because it does not contain chemicals compared to land formerly used for commercial crop production. A hemp farmer in Bulawayo explained: "… most of the time it is better to have virgin land to open up … We can do soil test and that, but a lot of the old agricultural farms have used a lot of different chemicals … some of those chemicals used can last for seven years in the ground. This points to possibilities of land dispossession for the poor where the government deems proposed cannabis projects to be of strategic importance as was the case in 2021 when the Chilonga community (in Chiredzi) was evicted from its ancestral land to pave way for a lucerne grass project for dairy production by Dendairy, a private producer of milk products. Because the number of licensed producers is still quite small, the impact on land dynamics is minimal at this stage. As of January 2024, cannabis projects were not yet utilising extensive or dispossessed land, with various licensed farmers and industry experts indicating that properties range from 1 to 6 hectares in size. This is partly due to the limited scale of production as the industry is still setting up while many farmers also struggle with production. This may change in the future when the industry grows. Licensed projects are concentrated in the three Mashonaland provinces (East, West and Central) and Harare (e.g. 61 percent of medicinal cannabis projects), suggesting that future impact on land dynamics will be more in the northern parts of the country than elsewhere. Cannabis and labour Although cannabis production is capital-intensive it also employs more labour needed to tend the crop during its life cycle. An interviewed hemp farmer said ‘ … we have about 70 people … It is very labour intensive’. Two other hemp farmers employed 45 and over 100 employees respectively. During a site visit in August 2023, the researchers observed around 30 workers employed on a medicinal cannabis farm near Harare. Although most of the labour is semi-skilled, those projects with processing plants also hired specialised, skilled workers to operate the processing machines and testing laboratories. Women were most preferred to work in the fields. One farmer said: "… we prefer women … They are more delicate in their operations especially when harvesting … Ladies tend to be a bit patient when doing those operations which are delicate. Ladies are not so experimenting like men. Ladies do not like taking risks. We have had 12 cases of theft, and you will find out that it is men. This was confirmed by another interviewed farmer who said ‘ … the women are definitely better on the plants … ladies are much better, you know, more adapted and better for that job’ . The researchers observed similar trends at a medicinal cannabis project during a visit in 2023. This finding is contrary to that of Shonhe, Scoones, and Murimbarimba where men dominated the permanent agricultural workforce after the fast-track land reform programme (FTLRP) of the 2000s. Workers wore personal protective equipment (PPE) and worked in clean environments to ensure compliance with export markets’ safety standards. The above shows that cannabis can contribute to rural job creation – making an agrarian impact to the economy. However, the impact is less likely to mirror that of tobacco and other crops where the participation of small-scale farmers enables them to combine both household and hired labour leading to broader agrarian effects. Business as usual for illicit markets Despite the emergence of the legal cannabis sector, illicit cannabis is still far larger in terms of estimated output and its significance to people's livelihoods. Illicit markets are supplied from both locally grown and imported cannabis. Areas such as Mutoko (north-east) and Binga (north-west) are known for illicit cannabis cultivation by small-scale growers. However, trade and consumption is nationwide with local supplies complemented with imports from Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique. Most interviewed illicit cultivators, traders, consumers and some community members supported the legalisation of cannabis. They cited cannabis’ contributions as including financial, enabling someone to work hard, facilitating productive thinking as well as physical and spiritual healing. The community members who opposed cannabis’ legalisation argued that the unemployed, especially the youth, tend to smoke more or are vulnerable to using drugs. They also thought that legalisation was going to increase supplies of cannabis into their communities. However, those who supported legalisation had limited knowledge on what has been legalised, with many thinking the reforms included recreational cannabis as well. On learning that recreational cannabis was still illegal, an illicit cultivator in Binga said ‘the current policy is not good. If cannabis is to be grown let it be open to everyone as is the case with other crops’. Many interviewees in Binga and Chiredzi expressed interest in growing cannabis legally due to its premium prices compared to crops like maize. However, they preferred this to be done through cooperatives. The rationale was that cooperatives will allow them to pull their resources together, bargain better when negotiating prices while also offering better control against drug leakages into their communities. While not opposed to cannabis smoking, they did not support its consumption by young people especially the youth. A traditional leader in Binga said: "Producing individually will be difficult. They should put people into groups (cooperatives) monitored by the government. It will lift people economically. An illicit cultivator concurred saying: "I am very much interested in getting a permit to cultivate cannabis … They should form cooperatives that are monitored. If one grows individually, they can sell illegally to the youth to generate income. But with cooperatives both the nation and the farmers will benefit’. Thus, cooperatives were seen as a model that promotes participation of small-scale and illicit producers into legal markets, as is the case in Morrocco. Some community members who worried about drug problems preferred that legal production be done by corporate businesses only, with communities providing labour. Such a model, however, would reproduce the unequal (colonial) agrarian relations which were disrupted by the FTLRP in favour of inclusion of Africans as key agrarian players. In Binga illicit cultivation was done by men on small plots in forests and alongside rivers, but far from residential areas. During the growing season some grew cannabis in the middle of fields surrounded by other crops to camouflage it. No one is expected to walk into the middle of someone’s field during the planting seasons. Most growers hid their business from family members while one indicated that his wife knew about the business but had no idea where the plot was located ). The secrecy around the plots was a safeguard against being reported to police as well as against thefts by community members. Only growers and those they trusted among growers could access the fields. The shortage of labour (no hired labour was used) was the reason behind the limited scale of production. Harvests ranged from one 20 L bucket to three buckets, with the cannabis processed and stored in the forests to avoid detection by police. One farmer, for instance, said his son was arrested by the police in mid-2023 because they found buckets of cannabis at his home. Thus, the poor are still arrested for a plant that is now benefiting the rich – demonstrating the discriminatory impacts of the reforms on various groups. Cannabis was sold for cash, exchanged for livestock such as chicken or used as currency to pay for hired labour, especially the youth. When sold, the growers charged US$3 to US$4 for a teacup. Twists, which are small joints of cannabis rolled in hard paper common in Chiredzi and Harare, were not preferred because they are labour intensive and create complexities that can attract the police. The farmers sold only to local people they knew and trusted. Labour was also hired to do tasks such as ploughing the family fields where licit crops are grown in exchange for cannabis. Most of those hired were youth. Cannabis had positive impacts for illicit cultivators’ households in Binga. One farmer, for instance, used income from cannabis to pay school fees for his three children. Further, he argued, ‘[W]hen I am not producing cannabis I end up selling household assets such as chicken to generate income’. A 63-year-old farmer, who started cultivating in 2000, said he managed to build a brick house, put in some lighting and drilled a borehole at home using proceeds from cannabis. He also established an almost 1-hectare plot of sugarcane which he sells to those who purchase for business purposes. The labour for that plot is also paid using cannabis. He plans to buy a 5,000 L water tank to use with his borehole for irrigation purposes. The above shows that illicit cannabis markets are supporting some households which ordinarily would have struggled to survive Zimbabwe’s tough economic conditions. The benefits are not limited to those who grow it. In Chiredzi and Harare some youth depended on cannabis selling for their livelihood. For instance, a young man in Chiredzi with a physical disability that prevented him from doing manual jobs used income from cannabis trade to build a one-room house. In mid-2022 he hired someone to mould cement bricks for the extension of his house to add more rooms. This not only shows the critical role illicit cannabis plays in the poor’s lives, but also highlights the perversity of criminalising them for an activity they have historically depended on, while at the same time opportunities are created for the rich to benefit from the same plant in a newly created legal sector. To prevent negative impacts on livelihoods, a widening of the legalisation process to cover domestic markets should be based on extensive consultations with illicit small-scale producers to ensure participation and safeguarding of their interests. Conclusion The article has critically examined Zimbabwe’s cannabis reforms which allow for legal production for medicinal and scientific purposes while continuing to outlaw all other uses. It highlighted the interconnections between cannabis, capitalist development and agrarian change and continuity. The article has demonstrated that cannabis legalisation has little to do with finding new livelihoods for small-scale farmers, especially illicit cannabis producers. Rather, it is driven more by the government’s desire to attract investment in the country. Although the policy rhetoric envisions small-scale licit farmers and agribusinesses operating alongside each other, in practice the sector is set up in a way that can only accommodate those with substantial resources with most small-scale farmers sidelined. While this presents the risk of agribusiness’ capture of the sector as seen elsewhere, a combination of high production costs, regulatory and market access challenges and political and economic crises, have undermined licensed farmers’ production, making it harder even for agribusiness to establish itself. Thus, the Zimbabwean case shows that legalisation processes do not always follow a set direction and need to be understood in their local context. The article also highlighted how continued prohibition of recreational cannabis alongside the formal sector’s focus on export markets have helped to preserve illicit cannabis markets for those currently producing and trading illegally. In the prevailing agrarian and economic crises faced by Zimbabwean rural farmers and youth (both urban and rural), illicit cannabis has allowed some to generate income, accumulate wealth as well as accessing resources they use to invest in legal production processes. In addition, while prohibition of recreational cannabis affects and stigmatises the poor, it also shields illicit players from competition from licensed farmers who possess better resources, contrary to the experiences in South Africa. Despite these positives, illicit cannabis economies are by no means peasant idylls. Zimbabwe’s legal reforms have some unintended consequences with serious agrarian implications. For some legal agricultural producers who acquired licenses for cannabis, the challenges with setting up cannabis projects has forced them to continue with production of other conventional cash crops. There is also continuity in the illicit cannabis markets, with cultivators and traders generating income under almost unchanged conditions despite the administrative and entry barriers into legal markets. For these two groups, it is business as usual. Lastly, although some agribusinesses and those in joint ventures have managed to establish production, their activities are affected by high business costs, political instability as well as economic volatility that have prevailed in Zimbabwe since the early 2000s. About the Author: Clemence Rusenga Clemence Rusenga is with the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. He is a researcher on the Cannabis Africana: Drugs and Development in Africa project. His work focuses on the nexus between drugs and development, as well as the implications of the emerging legal cannabis markets on agrarian change in Africa. He also conducts research on land and agrarian policies in Southern Africa, and their socio–economic effects on local communities. # Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Cabinet Updated on Cannabis Master Plan; DALRRD Says It Will Provide Industrial Cannabis Seeds From Next Year A South African cabinet statement issued on 13 March 2024 said it received a “progress report” on the development of the cannabis sector but was thin on the details. Cannabiz Africa 20 March 2024 at 12:00:00 Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS THC Settles Appeal Bid Out of Court, Status of Private Clubs Remains Uncertain The Haze Club has reached an out-of court settlement with the Justice Department on its appeal court application to have private cannabis clubs legally recognized. The details of the settlement are confidential and in the absence of a court ruling, the legal status of cannabis clubs remains uncertain. Cannabiz Africa 17 November 2024 at 08:00:00 What must have come as a huge relief for THC director Neil Lidell and his co-accused Ben van Houten, is something of a disappointment to the rest of the cannabis industry. The issue at hand is the out of court settlement reached between Lidell’s lawyers and the State which led to his decision to withdraw his application to the Supreme Court of Appeal which was due to have been heard next Tuesday, 19 November 2024. The Haze Club (THC) lawyer Paul Michael Keichel told Cannabis Africa on 14 November 2024: “ THC’s appeal was withdrawn yesterday after an agreement was reached between the Appellants and the State Respondents. The terms of that agreement are necessarily confidential. ” Each party was ordered to pay its own costs. Keichel has so far not responded to questions as to what implications the settlement has for other private cannabis clubs. The SCA ruling had been eagerly awaited by private cannabis clubs who are seeking final legal certainty on their status. This means they continue to exist in a ‘grey zone’. Read the brief settlement ruling here. Fields of Green for All , which was amicus curiae (an interested party) in the matter, said it had received notice of the appellants withdrawal of their SCA appeal. “What we do know is that the case is now complete and we do not get further clarification on the legality of Dagga Private Clubs. We also know that the reasons for the settlement were personal but probably involved dropping of the criminal charges” said FGFA director Myrtle Clarke. This is a developing story. # Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Cannabis, Labour Law, African Traditions and PetroSA Collide; Costs Mfundo Marasi His Job A PetroSA telecoms technician who was suspended after cannabis was detected in his blood when he returned from a traditional healer training programme, has lost his bid to have the state-owned company’s alcohol and substance abuse policy reviewed. News24 4 July 2023 at 09:00:00 Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Cannabis Mass Action Committee: Make Your Voice Heard Tomorrow at CT and Pta Public Protests The Cannabis Mass Action Committee is emerging as the voice of non-government stakeholders in the cannabis industry. Cannabis organizations have cast their differences aside to take on the No 1 obstacle to implementing Government's National Cannabis Master Plan. And that is Government itself! Cannabiz Africa 16 September 2022 at 09:30:00 Botswana Breakthrough: New President Embraces Cannabis in First SONA Read SA Court Censures Swaziland News for Calling eSwatini King a “Dangerous Dagga Dealer" Intent on Looting the Nation Read Finally, the Multi-Million Euro JuicyFields Cannabis Scam Starts Finding its Way to Court Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

Spanish Police Open Fraud Investigation into JuicyFields The criminal investigation follows class action by an estimated 4 500 Spanish investors, some of whom invested up to 200 000 Euros each. Yahoo News/AFP 22/09/26, 13:00 Spain's top criminal court has opened a fraud investigation into the JuicyFields medicinal cannabis investment platform which allegedly swindled people around the world of millions of euros. The Spanish National Court opened its probe into JuicyFields on 15 September 2022 after a lawsuit filed by nearly 1,200 investors in July 2022, according to AFP. Established in 2020, JuicyFields offered investors – who it called "e-growers" – the chance to profit from the cultivation, harvesting and sale of legal cannabis plants, promising returns of up to 66 percent. But the Amsterdam-based company suddenly stopped operations in mid-July, froze cash withdrawals and vanished from the internet, investors allege. Losses of up to €200,000 for certain individuals The class action lawsuit accuses JuicyFields of operating like a Ponzi scheme, in which early investors are paid out of deposits made by later investors. It estimates that there are nearly 4,500 victims in Spain alone, who each lost an average of €6,500. Some individuals lost as much as €200,000. The minimum investment was €50, and the money could be deposited and withdrawn via bank transfer or cryptocurrencies. The company sought to impress investors by hiring social media influencers and displaying luxury cars at trade shows as a sign of its success. At its height, JuicyFields claimed to have 500,000 investors. On its website, the company says: "We welcome continued investigations by the authorities so that the truth can ultimately reach everyone’s ears and eyes. "In the meantime, we have put a plan into action that will allow us to generate income with our own money with a view on at least repaying all the existing investors who have money tied up in the bank accounts." It is not clear whether the cannabis plants listed in virtual greenhouses on the company's online platform ever really existed, according to journalists who have looked into its operations. French class-action suit This is believed to be the first class-action lawsuit against JuicyFields, which according to media investigations scammed investors around the world. A group on mobile messaging service Telegram in France for people who want to take legal action against JuicyFields has over 1,600 members. Several members say they have filed individual lawsuits against JuicyFields. A class-action lawsuit is also expected to be filed in France against the firm. Many investors are seeking to profit from the legal cannabis industry, where opportunities have arisen as more and more countries approve the plant for medical or recreational use. (Yahoo News with AFP) # INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS PREVIOUS NEXT Cannabiz Africa Newsline The Business Of Cannabis Coming Fresh every Week. Stay ahead in the cannabis industry! Subscribe to CANNABIZ AFRICA NEWSLINE for weekly insights on the business of cannabis. Fresh updates every week! Enter Your Email Join Thanks for subscribing!