These are the Main Issues the National Cannabis Dialogue Hopes to Thrash Out
The National Cannabis Dialogue is scheduled to take place at the Kempton Park City Hall today, where about 300 stakeholders are expected to interact with government officials in what could be a landmark summit in shaping cannabis reform going forward. John Makoni highlights the key issues on the table.
Mbombela Judge Slaps Down NPA Property Seizure Attempt as ‘Arbitrary, Offensive and Constitutionally Distasteful
A Mbombela judge has given the NPA a lashing in dismissing its application to seize an elderly couple’s property because their grandson grew cannabis there. Judge Malose Monene accused the NPA of ‘missing the point’ of forfeiture in its ‘offensive and constitutionally distasteful’ application.
EFF’s Quanita Booley: Who Owns the Cannabis Economy? Current Situation Just Extends Economic Injustice
EFF MP and cannabis advocate Quanita Booley says the future ‘ownership’ of the cannabis industry is central to its sustainability. She writes that the National Cannabis Dialogue needs to ensure the benefits of legalization are not just concentrated in the hands of the few.
H3’s Charl Botha: DTIC’s Commercialization Plan Forgot About the People Who Are Meant to Make it Happen
Government wants South Africa’s cannabis and hemp industry to grow by 10% a year from a R14bn base. That’s wonderful, writes Charl Botha of H3 Solutions, stakeholders have been waiting for years for a commercialization plan with figures. It’s just that now, um, how do we join up?
Rodney Africa & Webber Wentzel Team: Prepare for Increased Legal Risk in the Space Between Visibility and Legality
The opportunities are enormous, but the sharp smell of risk is in the air as South Africa’s burgeoning cannabis industry navigates the regulatory vacuum towards legalization. Legal firm Webber Wentzel says to manage the risk, operators should clearly identify their pathways to market and invest in the legal architecture to get there.
SA Hemp Sector Should Follow These 5 Priority Pathways to Unlock R40 Billion in Value
Zegeta Consulting has identified five priority pathways South Africa’s industrial cannabis sector should focus on if it is to realise its R40 billion potential. The three ‘lowest-hanging fruit’ for creating demand for hemp products are to unlock the development of the food and beverage, personal care and pulp and paper sectors
Presidency Confirms it Will Be Represented at the National Cannabis Dialogue
The Presidency has confirmed that it will send a representative to next week’s National Cannabis Dialogue in Kempton Park. Summit spokesperson Thabo Makwela says there are three desired outcomes from summit: clear up the uncertainties in the industry, consolidate achievements, and come up with a clear programme going forward.
Madlanga Commission Cannabis Bombshell! Big 5 Cartel Kept Cops at Bay to Protect SAHPRA Licensee Jack Frost’s Illegal Grow Op
The Madlanga Commission has heard head-spinning evidence of how SAHPRA licensee Jack Frost Pharmaceuticals allegedly produced industrial quantities of illegal cannabis under the protection of taxi boss and alleged Big 5 cartel leader Jothan ‘Mswazi’ Mnisi.
Hemp Sector Faces Seed Supply Problems, Legal Ambiguity & Danger of US Dumping as Planting Season Looms
A shortage of local seeds and possible dumping of surplus seeds by US farmers are two major challenges facing the South African hemp sector as planting season begins. SACHIDA’s Cian McClelland says the deeper issue is how indigenous landraces should be protected against imported genetics.
TUT’s Cannabis Hub Steps Up Specialized Support to Move Cannabis Product from Farmer to Pharma
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Cannabis and Hemp Research Hub recently relaunched its Research and Innovation Platform as it gears up to assist cannabis farmers and entrepreneurs connect their commercial strategiees with scientific innovation.