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.
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.
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.
So, What’s Stopping the Commercial Trade in Cannabis? These Are the Challenges Facing the Master Plan
The DTIC has identified the major challenges it faces in commercialising cannabis. The main one by far is the law. Until such time as crucial legislative changes are made, the trade in cannabis and related products is prohibited. But there are also nine other significant obstacles that need to be faced in implementing the National Cannabis Master Plan.
DTIC Puts Commercial Cannabis Law Timeframe on the Table
The adoption of a commercial cannabis framework is to be put through the Nedlac process before a new law comes into force in 2027. That’s the DTIC’s time-frame for a complete overhaul of current cannabis laws which it’s laid out in its draft commercialization policy that is now out for stakeholder comment.
Trade Minister Tau: Legalizing ‘Recreational’ Use of Cannabis Will Have a Net Positive Social Impact’
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau (pictured here) is the first cabinet minister to fully back the legalization of general adult-use cannabis consumption since the days of Tito Mboweni. He says ‘recreational use’ is less harmful than alcohol and minors can be protected through regulation and wants your input on the draft cannabis commercial guidelines his Department has put out for public comment.
DTIC DG Simphiwe Hamilton: Cannabis is All About Re-Imagining Our Industrial Policy for Economic Growth
DTIC Director General Simphiwe Hamilton (pictured here) is guiding cannabis policy development within the department which is the lead institution driving the National Cannabis Master Plan. He says cannabis is part of the Government’s ‘re-imagining’ of industrial policy and provides an executive summary of the draft policy document put out for comment.
Rise in Medical Cannabis Patients Poses New Challenges for Employers
Cannabis in the workplace will increasingly become an issue with the rising number of medical cannabis patients in South Africa. One of the potential dilemmas is the balancing the rights of an employee to privacy around their ailments and medication against the obligations of the employer to provide a safe working environment for all workers.
Malawi Gold brand to be Unveiled at Blantyre Trade Fair This Weekend
Malawi’s Cannabis Regulatory Authority is showcasing the country’s cannabis industry at this weekend’s Trade Fair in Blantyre. It’s invited stakeholders to its exhibition at the fair which will unveil the CBD version of Malawi Gold.