Kenyan Rastas Face Pushback as Cannabis Prohibition Challenge Goes to High Court
The Rastafarian quest to have their cannabis rights recognized is becoming a pan-African phenomenon. Rastas in Kenya are challenging the country’s cannabis prohibition laws, following a strategy of activism developed in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. However, as Africa Editor John Makoni reports, they are facing organized resistance.
International Medical Cannabis Market Growing at 23% a Year as Regulations Loosen and Patients Seek Alternative Therapies
One of the reasons behind the surging global growth in medical cannabis is the demand by consumers for alternatives to opioids. That, along with better regulatory frameworks and more research on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, are the main drivers behind the growth of the US$30 billion market
If Traditional Healers Are Empowered to Write Sick Notes, Prescribing Cannabis is Just A Step Away
Traditional healers will be legally empowered to write sick notes for their patients that employers will be legally bound to recognize them. This is once they have been registered in terms of draft regulations, and accept levels of compliance. This may just be a mechanism to allow healers to ‘prescribe’ cannabis as well.
SA Cannabis Club Scene Exploding, Over 2 000 Operators Hustling Under the Legal Radar
There may be over 2 000 private cannabis clubs operating under the legal radar in South Africa creating a cultural community vibrancy that rivals those in Barcelona and Amsterdam. That’s the view of international magazine High Times which reports that the evolution of a dynamic club culture has outpaced government’s chaotic attempts to regulate the sector.
Morocco Begins Cannabis and Poultry Study to Replace Antibiotics in Animal Feed
Moroccan animal scientists believe processed cannabis sativa residue could boost the Kingdom’s poultry industry with a substitute for antibiotics that would also produce healthier meat. An agreement has been signed between Morocco’s cannabis regulator and the country’s leading veterinary science institute to begin scalable feasibility studies .
High Times Magazine: Legal Weed Didn’t Fix South Africa’s Cannabis Problem
South Africa is struggling to reconcile human rights, economic opportunity and effective reform, according to an in-depth dive by the iconic High Times Magazine into South African cannabis activism and the ambiguously shifting legal landscape. Reporter John Veit writes about the human cost of contradictory laws, police chaos, and an export-first legalization model that sidelines legacy growers.
Iron Mike Squares Up for a US$50m Legal Fight With Pro-Wrestler Shareholder in Tyson 2.0 Brand
Mike Tyson (pictured second from left, and that’s not a punchbag he’s holding) has filed a $50 million lawsuit against former executives of Carma HoldCo, including major shareholder Ric Flair, a professional wrestler. Carma is the parent company behind the multi-million dollar Tyson 2.0 cannabis brand, which Iron Mike believes has been ripping him off.
Cannabis and Driving: Does THC Actually Negatively Impact Your Reaction Time?
Just how safe is it to drive under the influence of cannabis? Conventional wisdom has it that driving stoned is an impairment, but that is now being debated in Australia, particularly after a medical cannabis patient showed a 20% improvement in reaction during a televised simulation late last year.
Thailand: Thousands of Businesses to Close as New Cannabis Law Kicks in Stipulating Prescription-Only Sales
Thailand continues to roll back ‘rec’ as more stringent regulations take effect, requiring a doctor’s prescription for all cannabis sales. This is likely to see over 7 000 non-compliant cannabis businesses close down in the year ahead.
Cannabis So Mainstream that 8% of Americans Made New Year’s Resolution to Reduce Consumption
Cannabis overload is affecting many consumers in US states that have legalized adult-use, so much so that quitting altogether or cutting back on intake is increasingly finding its way onto New Year’s resolution lists.