North West’ Academic to Present SA Canna-Tourism Research at Portuguese Conference
Academic Dr Jean Manaliyo is to present his research findings on the potential for cannabis tourism in North West Province at a conference hosted by the University of Algarve in Portugal this weekend. The concept, if legalized, could have a significant impact on local economies, but there is still a concern among communities that encouraging cannabis tourism will lead to more crime.
NYC: One Bird One Gram Pigeon Delivery Service Turns Out to Be Clickbait
An elaborate marketing stunt from a New York marijuana business evidently fooled more than a few media outlets into believing that carrier pigeons would soon be deployed to make cannabis deliveries throughout New York City. Turned out it was a ‘fake’ campaign, but it sure achieved its marketing objectives.
Germany Medical Cannabis Clampdown Looming: ‘Dealers in White Coats’ Issuing Prescriptions Like a “Pizza Service’
Germany is looking to restrict telephonic prescriptions for medical cannabis as new Federal Drug Commissioner, Hendrik Streeck (pictured here) warns that lax controls are creating ‘dealers in white coats’. He says the system allows doctors to pump out cannabis prescriptions without proper consultations and this cannot continue.
New INCB Quotas Hint at Regulatory Divergence in Fast-growing Australian and German Markets
Australia and Germany are moving in opposite directions on cannabis imports, as both scramble to deal with the runaway growth of their medical cannabis markets. Their revisited import quotas indicate that there may be regulatory divergence developing between the two countries which South African exporters should be aware of.
How the Global Regulatory Framework is Shaping Up: Medical Cannabis ‘Good’, Personal Choice Cannabis ‘Bad’
Steven Hocking of the Cannabis Law Report says that for the last 15 years, governments and corporates have been working to create a regulatory scenario that champions medical cannabis and pushes back against general adult use. He joins the dots from Canberra to Casablanca, Berlin to Bangkok and beyond.
Mexican Cartels Turn SA into One of the Biggest Crystal Meths Markets in the World
South Africa is becoming a tik nation as the manufacture and consumption of crystal meth rises alarmingly. This is because Mexican cartels have gained a foothold in the country and are setting up industrial-scale drug factories in the platteland and are shaking up the underworld.
South African Cannabis Increases Australian Market Share as Exports Down Under Surge 264%
Although South Africa lags far behind Canada, which exported 62 000 kg to Australia in 2024, it has increased its market share relative to the competition. In 2024 South Africa exported 4 992 kg to Australia, significantly up on the previous year’s 1 861 kg. South Africa’s first exports to Australia in 2021 were a mere 60 kg by comparison.
The Economist: Legalize Cocaine and Focus on Deadlier Synthetics
In the wake of the recent US strikes on narco-boats in the Caribbean, that most mainstream of magazines, The Economist, argues that brute force is no match for today’s high tech drug runners and a fundamental rethink is required. It proposes that the best way to hit organized crime is by taking the profit incentive out of the product and that legalizing cocaine would be such a mechanism.
‘Angola Red’ One of the Most Coveted Cannabis Strains in the World Top 10 ‘Desirable List’
Angola Red has been declared one of the world’s 10 most coveted cannabis varieties. The rare landrace is believed to be one of the oldest indigenous African landraces with its origins dating way back before Portuguese colonialism. Africa Editor John Makoni takes a look at the Top 10 rarest and most desired cannabis strains as published by the authoritative Herb platform.
US Experts Finally Recommend Medical Student Training Includes Understanding the Endo-Cannabioid System
The United States may be the first country to formally introduce the endo-cannabinoid system (ECS) into medical student training programmes. This comes as ongoing scientific breakthroughs in medical cannabis research expose deep gaps in the way medicine is taught at mainstream universities.