Agribiz Chief Economist: ‘Get Real: Cannabis Unlikely to be a Game-Changer for the SA Economy’
South Africa’s new presidential envoy on land and agriculture, Agribiz chief economist, Wandile Sihlobo has cautioned against over-enthusiasm that medical cannabis and hemp can be significant economic drivers. He says we should temper our enthusiasm in this regard, , particularly given the slow pace of reform and lack of regulatory clarity.
Hip and Happening! DoA Planning to Issue Permits to Grow Non-Medical, High-THC Cannabis
The Agriculture Department is to expand the current hemp permitting system to allow for high THC cultivation. This potential game-changer for was quietly revealed in Parliament recently in a DoA. presentation which outlined firm plans to encourage the expansion of cannabis cultivation way beyond hemp.
Major Durban Hemp Conference Aims to Unlock Commercial Hemp Fibre Opportunities
Senior KZN government officials and national policy-makers will engage with stakeholders at a high level conference and expo on commercialising hemp, which will be held at the Elangeni Sun in Durban at the on 19 and 20 March 2026. The event has been put together by Ledile Textiles.
Cannabis Edibles: Sneak Preview of the Proposed Regulations Presented to Parliament
Almost a year to the day that the Minister of Health shocked the cannabis community with his hemp foodstuff ban, the SAMRC has unveiled its recommendations for how cannabis edibles should be regulated. On the cards is a THC potency tax, strict serving guidelines, marketing restrictions and oversight by a specialist body.
SA Has a R40 Billion Hemp Market Opportunity But Needs the Policy Support to Get There
South Africa has the potential to capitalise on a domestic industrial hemp market opportunity valued at R40-billion by 2040; however, this requires proper industry development and policy support. That’s the finding of a new industrialization study unveiled by the Localisation Support Fund (LSF).
Now We’re Talking! Cannabis Master Plan Takes Shape With Edibles Regulations and Retail Licenses on the Cards
The Government has finally woken up to the ‘wild west’ reality of the South African cannabis sector and has tabled plans to begin regulating THC and its channels to market. The DTIC updated MP’s on progress on the Cannabis Master Plan and its plans to tackle the ‘Grey Zone’ regulatory vacuum.
Ghana’s Cannabis Chamber on Shock License Fees: Local Farmers Have to Be Factored In Or Sector Won’t Be Sustainable’
Ghana’s Chamber of Cannabis Industry is engaging with the country’s national regulator to open up the cannabis market to local farmers and businesses. CEO Mark Darko (pictured here) says regulatory integrity should not come at the cost of exclusivity.
SACHIDA: One Year On From the Hemp Foodstuff Ban, Let’s See That Setback as the Turning Point to Accelerated Reform
On 7 March 2025 the Minister of Health gazetted the disastrous ban on cannabis and hemp foodstuffs. The hastily-rescinded ban created havoc, confusion and financial losses. A year later, SACHIDA chairman Katlego Kgopotse (pictured here) refects that ‘The Ban’ should be remembered not so much as a setback but to provide a litmus test of how far we’ve come.
CAB’s Mogobe: Botswana Must Learn From South Africa’s Cannabis Policy Mistakes
Botswana’s legal landscape is rapidly taking shape as an export-orientated industry favouring multinational investment rather than building a domestic industry. Despite this setback for local businesses, the Cannabis Association of Botswana’s Sekgele Mogobe (pictured here) says regulatory clarity is welcome and in contrast to South Africa where cannabis reform remains mired in confusion.
Swedish Multinational Secures Botswana Cannabis Licenses, Offers a Gateway into the EU’s Growing ‘Green Economy’
Hemp Innovations Botswana has been granted the first license to cultivate both medical cannabis and hemp in Botswana. HIB’s parent company, Swedish multinational Hemp Innovations Europe (HIE), is an established player in the EU’s transition to a ‘green economy’ and will provide Botswana immediate access to European markets.