New Labour Can End Britain’s Failed Cannabis Experiment
New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham prides himself on being an evidence-based policymaker in touch with the people. Could he leverage these qualities to put an end to one of the UK’s enduring policy failures – bringing cannabis into a regulated market?
DRC Emerges Out of Nowhere to Rival SA as Africa’s Major Medical Cannabis Producer
The DRC has entered the international medical cannabis export market with a bang. In six months, having not featured at all on international production quotas, it now has been cleared to export 20 tons of medical cannabis this year, the same allocation enjoyed by current market leader, South Africa.
‘All Medical Cannabis Imported from Thailand into the EU is Greenwashed’
All cannabis flower being imported into Europe from Thailand is being ‘green washed’. That bold claim has been made by leading German pharmacologist, Dr Markus Veit, who says any Thai cannabis arriving in the EU with GMP status acquired that certification after leaving the country.
Natie Ferreira: Terpenes Can Degrade Plastic Packaging Leading to Post Harvest Losses
High terpene cannabis strains can degrade plastic packaging and reduce shelf-life. This warning comes from veteran cannabis consultant Natie Ferreira, who says South African cannabis farmers focus too much on cultivation and not enough on post-harvest processing.
Josh Swart: Nobody Wins by Criminalizing Private Cannabis Clubs So Here Are the Options
Government should consider bringing out a Private Cannabis Clubs Act to clear up the legal mess it has created around the model, which clearly has a place in the reform framework. Lawyer Josh Swart says that legitimate clubs should be regulated without the threat of criminal sanction and puts these options on the table.
Yebo Lebo, With Gogo’s Recipes and SABS Approval, Toca is Ready to Roll with ‘Ancient Healing’ Skin and Body Range
Entrepreneur Lebo Skosana has SABS approval for her nature-based skin, body and hair products marketed as Toca Essentials. Now she’s looking for new markets for her range, inspired by her grandmother, who’ passed down her old cannabis and Afrobotanical cosmetics recipes.
Private Club Operators Must Not Only Navigate the Law but Plan for ‘Banking and Tax Friction’ as the Cannabis ‘Grey Zone’ Booms
Lawyer Zurayda Mayet says private cannabis club operators should plan for “banking and tax friction” as the market continues to be a high risk environment. She says that operators should get a clear legal opinion on their operations in light of the Haze Club judgement and build their structures accordingly.
Zurayda Mayet: 5 Pointers for Cannabis Businesses to Clarify in Times of Legal Uncertainty
The single biggest mistake cannabis businesses can make is thinking cannabis is legal. It is not. Despite many commercial opportunities in the sector, lawyer Zurayda Mayet (pictured here) warns there are real legal hazards, and highlights five points of action stakeholders should consider in positioning themselves in an uncertain market
Route 420: Creating a Whole New World by Integrating Cannabis into the Broader South African Tourism Experience
Route 420 seeks to put South African cannabis culture on the tourism map by linking communities across the country. Founder Cameron Bramley (pictued here) says by integrating cannabis into regional tourism offerings, a whole new world of experiential travel is opening up to local and international travellers.
Botswana Stakeholders Frustrated by Govt Delay in Promised Review of Exorbitant Licensing Fees
Botswana’s high cannabis and hemp licensing fees, published in January this year, have provoked sharp criticism from local stakeholders who feel intentionally locked out of the market. Now, months after promising to review the licensing structure, the Government remains silent as to how it intends incorporating local farmers into the new cannabis sector.