US Study: Youngsters Not Using Cannabis to ‘Get Out of It’ But to ‘Get Into It’
Why are Gen Z’ers consuming cannabis? Well, for handling family situations, going on a date or before a work meeting or exam. And yes, also to enhance creativity, reduce stress and improve performance. This is according to a new study which also found that 28% of young American adults are using daily.
New Study Confirms Cannabis was one of Ancient China’s Five ‘Core Crops’
Chinese scientists believe that cannabis had been integrated into the agricultural economy thousands of years ago with its primary uses being food and fibre. A new study reveals that cannabis was a staple crop among the ‘five grains’ that formed the foundation for farming in the Far East.
Stellebosch Scientists Flavoalkaloids Discovery Gets International Recognition
Stellenbosch University scientists have just had their flavoalkaloid discovery published in Science Daily. Flavoalkaloids are a rare group of phenolic compounds found in cannabis leaves, adding a surprising new dimension to the plant’s chemistry.
ARC Economists: KZN Legacy Growers ‘Strongly Resistant’ to Switching to Hemp
Hemp is often promoted as a game-changing crop for South Africa’s rural economy, but farmers in KwaZulu-Natal tell a different story. ARC agricultural economists Lesiba Pertunia Mailula, Noluthando Ngcobo, Blessing Zitha and Siphe Zantsi explain the mistrust, fear, and realities behind the resistance.
California Study: In Areas Where There are Licensed Farms, Illegal Cannabis Growing Declines
A California study has shown that the biggest deterrent to illicit cannabis cultivation in any area is the presence of a licensed facility. The study found that this was consistently more effective than enforcement or bans in restricting illegal grow ops, because licensed facilities bought with them the spotlight of compliance.
SA Medical Journal: ‘Dual Use’ Nicotine and Cannabis Vaping Becoming a Schools Health Issue
Vaping has replaced cigarettes as the dominant inhalant amongst adolescents. This is one of the findings of a new study published in the SAMJ which warns that ‘dual use’ vaping with nicotine and cannabis is a growing public health crisis facing South African schools
Trump Opens the Door for Psychedelic Drugs to Treat Serious Mental Illness
President Donald Trump has opened the door for psychedelic drugs to be used as a potential treatment for serious mental illness. He signed an executive order on 18 April 2026 that empowers the FDA to do this and put aside US$50 million for psychedelics research.
Minor Cannabinoids on the Rise: Move Over THC and CBD, Make Way for CBN and THCv
For much of the modern cannabis era, product development has centred on two compounds: THC and CBD. But the industry is increasingly turning its attention to a wider group of plant molecules known as minor cannabinoids, including cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCv).
KZN Appoints CSIR as Implementing Agent for Okhahlamba Insangu Project, Allocates R5 million Funding
The Okhlahlamba Muncipality has not been able to get its multi-million rand cannabis hub off the ground and financial control of the project has been handed over to the CSIR. This is according to the KZN Treasury in a budget appropriation vote which approved R5 million for the project in the Bergville area of the Drakensberg.
Youngsters Most Vulnerable to Cannabis Use Disorder as SA Clinic Admissions Rise Steadily
The increasing availability of cannabis and the consequences of the Covid pandemic, have seen the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis rising. That’s according to Prof Nadine Harker (pictured here), who’s recently-published study found that demand for cannabis treatment shot up by 23% between 2020 and 2023.