Malawi Missing Out on its Gold Big Time With Half-Cooked Cannabis Strategy
Malawi is missing the point in marketing its most famous cannabis brand, Malawi Gold. Instead the country has launched a CBD version of the brand and is ignoring the massive brand potential of the genuine article. What a shame, writes Malawian columnist Iommie Chiwalo, who is critical of the CRA’s handling of cannabis reform so far.
Labat’s ‘Sweetheart Deal’ Confirmed as it Sells All Cannabis Assets to Former CEO Brian van Rooyen For No Cash Consideration
After months of speculation it’s now been confirmed that Labat’s former CEO Brian van Rooyen (pictured here) is behind the party buying the group’s cannabis assets. Labat signed the deal with van Rooyen on Friday 14 November in which his company All Trading Propriety, will take over CannAfrica, Sweetwaters and all other Labat cannabis interests in a ‘soft’ deal.
DTIC Committed to an Inclusive Commercialization Policy, Will Take Up Cannabis Arrests With SAPS
The DTIC is committed to open and transparent discussions with cannabis stakeholders and is engaging with the new minister of police to pull back on cannabis arrests. The new official in charge of driving cannabis policy for the DTIC, John Jeffery (pictured here) told Project Indlela webinar participants that the cannabis club model had merit and should be included in future legislation.
Project Indlela Webinar Key Outcome: Private Clubs and Legacy Communities Will Be Accommodated in Future Cannabis Laws
Project Indela’s inaugural webinar on Pathways to Legality was one of the most significant stakeholder engagements with Government this year. One of its main outcomes is that the DTIC is taking its compliance strategy seriously and has acknowledged that a cannabis commercialization policy must reflect the interests of private cannabis clubs and legacy cannabis communities. This all could come together in a national cannabis summit on 420 day next year.
Donors, Delays & Dirty Weed: How Aid Politics Strangled Cannabis Reform
Cannabis donors helping set up cannabis regulatory systems across the world are perpetuating the myth that they promote inclusivity. However, as guest contributor Lee Hymers’s research has shown, donor capital builds the walls of exclusion to enable corporate capital to buy the keys.
Botswana’s President Hits Go Button For New ‘Green Era’ as Cannabis Cultivation Trials Start
It’s all systems go for the cultivation of cannabis in Botswana! President Duma Boko (pictured here) has announced the country will commence the pilot cultivation of medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (BUAN) next month.
Holiday Season Ahead: SAA Spells Out Cannabis Guidelines for Air Travellers
Yes, you can travel legally with weed on domestic flights, as long as its sealed and is for personal consumption only. With the festive season ahead, Africa Editor John Makoni contacted SAA to get the lowdown on cannabis on airlines.
Cannabis Community Outrage at NPA Seizure of Upington Woman’s Home After R300 ‘Dealing’ Conviction
There has been outrage in the cannabis community in reaction to news that an Upington woman’s house has been seized by the NPA after she was convicted of dealing in R300 worth of cannabis in a SAPS entrapment operation at the premises. Although the case dates back to 2022, the NPA recently issued a statement lauding a court order that allowed the confiscation because of ‘aggravating circumstances’.
Welcome to the ‘Cannabis and Codeine Corridor’, the Pipeline Fuelling Southern African Substance Abuse
A major bust of cannabis and prescription medicine in Limpopo in September 2025 has bought to light new patterns of drug smuggling fuelling the rise of ‘cannabis and codeine bush clinics’ in rural areas. The growing availability of illegal pharmaceuticals in towns along the major drug smuggling routes between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe has seen a rise in substance abuse amongst the youth.
Namibian Police Chief Says Law Will be Changed to Allow Cannabis Use Under Certain Circumstances
Namibia’s police chief says a bill is being developed that will allow cannabis use under certain circumstances. This was revealed during court proceedings relating to the constitutional challenge against the prohibition on cannabis, which is heading for court again on 3 December 2025.