Global South Needs to Set Up its Own Cannabis Trade Networks to Avoid the Trap of Canna-Colonialism
Africa and other developing cannabis economies need to collaborate and create their own markets. They need to do this to avoid falling into the trap of canna-colonialism, whereby their regulatory systems are designed to serve European medical cannabis interests instead of their own.
Ghana: Policy Expert’s 5 Step Plan Charting a Course from Prohibiting Adult-Use to Regulating It
Ghana has opened the door to developing an industrial hemp sector, but there are now calls for authorities to go further and embrance regulated adult use. A five point plan towards decriminalization has been put on the table by a leading advocate for cannabis reform.
Ivory Medical Emerges as a Front Runner in Zimbabwe’s Cannabis Development Programme
Zimbabwe’s policy to legalise the production of medicinal cannabis is bearing fruit, with a multi-million-dollar value-addition facility in Headlands now transforming the “green gold” into high-end CBD pharmaceutical products.
ICS 2026: Strengthening Pan-African Cannabis Relationships in the Shadow of Xenophobia
ICS 2026 organizer Sean Hocking has expressed his sympathy to two Ghanaian CEO’s who have decided not to attend next week’s conference because of the xenophobic climate in the country. He says the Cape Town conference aims to strengthen pan-African communication channels and no other African delegates have withdrawn.
Nigeria Finally Waking Up to the Potential of Cannabis as MP’s Begin Drafting a Legal Framework
Medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp production are in the pipeline for Nigeria, with the National Assembly currently drafting legislation to create a legal framework for the cultivation and use of cannabis for medical, scientific and industrial purposes.
Ghana’s Darko Pulls Out of Cape Town Cannabis Conference Because of Rising Xenophobic Tensions in SA
The ripples of xenophobia have hit the cannabis sector, with a senior Ghanaian stakeholder pulling out of next week’s ICS 2026 Cape Town conference. Mark Darko cited safety concerns for his withdrawal, which he says is in line with Ghana’s travel warnings to its citizens about staying clear of SA.
ICS 2026 to Challenge the American and European Muscle Power in Determining the Rules of the Regulatory Game for Everybody Else
International cannabis thought leaders from across the world are to descend on Cape Town at the end of the month for ICS 2026. Organizer Sean Hocking tells Cannabiz Africa that the Back to Basics theme is aimed at breaking North American and European dominance in determining the world’s cannabis regulatory systems.
Looking Ahead, Zimbabwe and Zambia Are Africa’s Best Bets for Becoming Hemp Powerhouses
Zimbabwe and Zambia are best-placed African countries for ramped-up hemp production because they have plenty of available land and water. Zimbabwe has the edge because of it has an international distribution hub. That’s the view of Cobasa founder and chairperson Henri de Villeneuve, speaking at the Cheeba Summit.
Katerere Calls for an African-GMP Certification to Unlock African Cannabis Self-Reliance
The cannabis ‘gold standard’ is EU-GMP certification, an expensive exercise vital to get a foothold into Europe. However, this is beyond reach of most African producers, TUT’s Prof David Katerere told the Cheeba Summit, and proposed an African-GMP certification as a foundation for the continent’s cannabis industry.
Namibian Cannabis Prohibition Legal Challenge: Judgement Day is 6 July 2026
Closing arguments have been heard in the Ganja Users of Namibia (GUN) High Court application challenging the country’s anti-cannabis laws. Judge Claasen will deliver judgement on 6 July 2026 in the long-running case which could fundamentally change Namibia’s cannabis landscape.