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.
‘DTIC Hasn’t Learnt the Lessons of the Hemp Ban Fiasco, Should Release Cannabis Policy Regulations for Public Comment Now’
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s approach to cannabis commercialization is similar to that of the Health Department when it issued its ill-considered hemp food ban. H3 Solutions Charl Botha writes that the DTIC is making the same mistake of developing key policy decisions without the broad consultation promised by the Presidency.
Project Indlela: Pathways to Legality: Stakeholder Webinar, Tues, 11 November 12h00 – 14h00
Interest is riding high in next week’s Project Indlela Pathways to Legality cannabis stakeholder webinar. The ‘round table’ comes at a time of increased concern among local cannabis organizations, as government has yet to release promised industry guidelines, leaving many operators navigating a climate of uncertainty.
Botswana MP’s Need More Convincing That Hemp Should be a Priority Under Ambitious New Agriculture Plan
Botswana’s Land Minister Edwin Dikoloti (pictured here) has prioritized livestock and cannabis as part of an ambitious agricultural development plan. However, it has been criticized in Parliament by some MP’s who argue there are more pressing priorities than developing a hemp sector.
ConCourt Should Step In and Order Govt to Urgently Fix its Constitutional Delinquency Around Cannabis
Cannabis compliance specialist Charl Botha has called on the Constitutional Court to step in and save the mess that Government is making of cannabis reform. He has written to the Court’s registrar, requesting formal judicial oversight over Government’s failure to implement to historic 2018 ConCourt ruling to legalize the private consumption of cannabis.
Never Mind the Mexicans, Nigerian Drug Lords Dominate South Africa’s Underworld, Confidential Police Report Reveals
A confidential police intelligence report submitted to Parliament by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has laid bare the extent of South Africa’s drug trade, identifying the masterminds behind the multibillion-rand narcotics network — with Nigerian drug lords dominating operations across several provinces.
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.
eSwatini’s Unemployed Call for Legalization; Condemn Destruction of Cannabis Plantations as a ‘War on the Poor’
The Royal Eswatini Police is on a drive to destroy illegal cannabis plantations in the Hhohho District. This has prompted a call from an organization representing the unemployed for the Kingdom to legalize cannabis cultivation and consumption as prohibition is driving more people into poverty.
NPA Uses Drugs Act to Seize Home of Upington Woman Convicted for R300 ‘Dagga Deal’
The National Prosecuting Authority has seized the home of 44-year old Upington resident Lucia Louw after she was bust on the premises in a 2022 undercover operation for dealing in 30 ziplock bags of cannabis valued at R300.00
‘Tackle Historical Inequality by Creating Links Between Commercial Investors and Legacy Cannabis Communities’
Cannabis reform in South Africa and Zimbabwe continues to marginalize traditional growers in favour of the business elite. Academics Simon Howell and Clemence Rusenga write that that to overcome policies that perpetuate inequality and unfairness, there needs to be a deeper relationship between communities and commercial investors.