Morocco Breaks the Muslim Mould in Embracing the Power of Cannabis
King Mohammed IV (pictured here) has broken ranks with other Muslim countries in choosing to see no contradiction between the partial legalization of cannabis and the teachings of the Quran. The Moroccan leader has put the Kingdom on a course of leveraging its cannabis history and its black market dominance into the mainstream.
Kiwi Hemp Overhaul: THC Limit Will be 1% and Farmers Won’t Need Permits to Grow
New Zealand has announced an overhaul of hemp regulations aimed at cutting red tape and encouraging more planting. The new rules see the THC limit in hemp raised to 1% and the permit system dropped for a looser regulatory regime.
Snapshot Summary of the the World’s Most Significant Cannabis Developments in 2025
The International Business Conference Berlin says South Africa’s cannabis landscape changed significantly in 2025 and was one of 13 major highlights of the year. As the new year dawns, the ICBC looks back on a year that proved to be significant for cannabis policy and industry in many parts of the world. Here are some of the top 2025 international cannabis stories.
Agriculture Dept Open to Engagement Over Regulatory Concerns in New Plant Improvement Act
The DoA has signalled that it is open to engaging with stakeholders who have raised concerns about the recently published hemp regulations under the Plant Improvement Act . The first of such meetings has been scheduled for the end of January 2026 between the Registrar of the Plant Improvement Act and a delegation led by Charl Botha of H3 Legal Solutions.
Ghanaian Stakeholders Appeal to Parliament to Rethink ‘Unrealistic and Exclusionary’ Hemp Licence Fees
Ghana’s leading hemp activist organization, Hempire Agric Ghana (HAG) is to take up the shock hemp licensing fee issue with Parliament. HAG’s Nana Kwaku Agyemang (pictured here) says the proposed fees, the most expensive in the world, are unrealistic and exclusionary and out of kilter with the market.
You’ve Got to be Kidding! Ghana Unveils the Most Expensive Licensing Regime in the World
Local farmers will have to cough up big time if they have hopes of participating in the West African country’s fledgling hemp sector. The licensing structure and proposed fees for the hemp sector are a slap in the face for small-scale farmers as they are heavily geared towards multinationals able to afford the dollar-denominated fees and attendant taxes.
Buying Genetics: Top 10 Factors Cannabis Cultivators Need to Be Aware Of
Every cultivator’s first priority should be to purchase high quality genetics with a high ROI. This is because the seed you select can make or break your commercial operation. Still, selecting the best seed can be overwhelming due to the extensive seed inventory on the market. Africa editor John Makoni did some digging around and here’s his checklist for buying genetics.
LHCFA Puts Limpopo Firmly on SA’s Hemp Map as ARC’s First Cultivars to Be Tested in Levubu Pilot Project
Limpopo’s ‘farmers first’ cannabis policy has gained rapid traction this year, thanks to the efforts of the Limpopo Hemp and Cannabis Farmers Association, which has wrapped up a year of action by launching its Capricorn branch and a pilot project to test ARC’s first locally developed hemp seeds.
It’s All About Adding Value! Zimbabwe Looks Beyond Cultivation to Develop Cannabis Sector
The future of Zimbabwean cannabis lies beyond cultivation, it’s about adding value. This is the view of Thathokuhle Farm owner Mike Querl (pictured here), who recently hosted a visit by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Anxious Masuka. Dr Masuka echoed that view saying Zimbabwe was entering a new phase of industrialization and beneficiating raw material was part of the strategy.
Botswana Sets Ambitious Cannabis Targets: Seeks 42 k Ton Output by 2029
Botswana Acting Lands and Agriculture Minister Dr Edwin Dikoloti (pictured here) has announced an ambitious plan targeting an output of 42 000 tons of cannabis by 2029, for both industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, during a Public Investment Programme (PIP) presentation.