This is an edited version of a report in UNIVEN News, published on 24 June 2025.

The Universities of Limpopo and Venda are laying the foundations for a cannabis economy in South Africa’s northernmost province to be driven by community needs.  

To this end, Venda University (Univen) hosted a ‘Collaborative Cannabis and Hemp Summit on 11 and 12 June 2025 themed: Unlocking cannabis potential towards the achievement of sustainable development goals by 2030 in Vhembe District.”

Putting the Community at the Centre of Cannabis Reform

The summit, organized by Univen’s Directorate of Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation, and Commercialisation pulled together 120 stakeholders from across government, academia, traditional leadership, and the private sector to thrash out a practical plan to use cannabis as a tool for community development.

The University has initiated the momentum for the framework, which it describes as a significant step forward for cannabis policy and innovation in South Africa. It has also signed a cannabis development memorandum with the University of Limpopo to collaborate around lab anaylsis and grower support.

Among its plans are to set up a ‘centre of excellence’ to support cannabis farmers by offering free analysis and other services and to assist Vhembe District in achieving sustainable cannabis goals within five years.

Opening the summit, Professor Vhonani Netshandama said Univen’s vision was to be “an engaged -entrepreneurial and socially impactful institution that cares about the environment and economic emancipation of citizens”. She said Univen was committed to an “ecosystem’s approach, involving interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement, entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation as well as commercialisation initiatives “.

“The Professor said Univen wanted to share resources and knowledge by “creating spaces for dialogue like this, which elevate Indigenous knowledge systems in tackling the complex and complicated challenges surrounding cannabis beneficiation, commercialisation, and national as well as international benchmarking,”.  She hoped participants would find ways “to influence policy, map the ecosystem, create collaborative action research and innovation teams that benefit the industry in sustainable ways.”

Vhembe District Executive Mayor, Freda Nkondo  stressed the importance of fresh ideas and sharp minds to address societal challenges.

“This is one of those summits that plays a significant role in exploring the potential of cannabis and its impact on the economy and health,” she said.

.Nkondo told delegates the South African government was working towards a comprehensive framework for the cannabis industry, and the summit provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices.

Universities to Provide Lab Support For Cannabis Farmers

“The summit is more of a sharing hub and will provide in-depth information about the grants, regulations, and best practices to cannabis.”

Professor Edwin Madala said Univen is to establish a Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Research and would subsidise analysis costs for local farmers, strengthening trust and engagement. He said the University was committed to supporting local farmers through advanced chemical analysis of plant products, using its in-house mass spectrometry facility.

This initiative was grounded in extensive laboratory research, including a recent PhD study by Dr Dakalo Lorraine Ndou, which revealed that Moringa plants, though visually similar, exhibit diverse chemical profiles. This variation underscores the need for detailed chemical surveys before making claims about the pharmacological benefits of plant-based products.

Additionally, research on cannabis, conducted in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and Dutch bioinformaticians, was shared with farmers. The study found that cannabis contains a wide range of active compounds beyond CBD and THC, highlighting its broader therapeutic potential. The presentation also addressed factors influencing chemical composition, such as soil chemistry and hydroponic cultivation, offering new opportunities for agricultural innovation.

Communities Need a Simplified Licensing Framework

PhD candidate Mulalo Maumela presented a case study of Limpopo Province, high-lighting the socio-economic opportunities outlined in the Cannabis Masterplan. She emphasised the Masterplan’s potential to drive job creation, economic growth, tax revenue, and community development in rural regions like Limpopo.

She explored diverse applications of cannabis, including medical CBD, food, textiles, and sustainable agriculture, as key drivers of economic diversification. She also addressed critical challenges hindering commercialisation, such as societal stigma, the complex South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) licensing process, and infrastructure gaps.

To address these, she recommended simplified licensing frameworks, targeted support for small-scale farmers, and public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote inclusive participation in the cannabis sector.

The Limpopo Agro-Food Technology Station (LATS), based at the University of Limpopo, was also unveiled at the summit as a tool to advance agro-processing and support enterprise development.

LATS provides technical and scientific support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agro-food sector, particularly in developing products from indigenous and under-utilised crops. Through applied research and process innovation, the station improves food production efficiency, safety, and nutritional value.

It also offers laboratory services such as nutritional analysis, microbial testing, and shelf-life assessments, while helping SMEs meet regulatory standards and enhance competitiveness. The station also plays an educational role, offering training, internships, and research opportunities for University of Limpopo students.

By supporting the processing and commercialisation of Indigenous foods, LATS hopes to contribute to food security, reduce post-harvest losses, and help preserve traditional food knowledge.

The MoU between the universities of Venda and Limpopo are aimed at enhancing institutional collaboration by sharing an Office of Technology Transfer (OTT), which would coordinate with LATS to test products on behalf of communities.

The universities will support the Limpopo Hemp and Cannabis Farmers Association, a co-operative promoting the health benefits of cannabis-based products like oils and teas, while also focusing on community empowerment.

Traditional Leaders Support Cannabis Reform

Chief Vha Musanda vho Magoro Magoro, representing the House of Traditional Leaders, said they were fully in support of the summit as it shed light on job creation for the youth in rural villages.

“We need to harness the potential of this industry to drive economic development and uplift our communities. I believe a cannabis fo-um will provide a vital platform for stakeholders to collaborate and share knowledge.”

Among the highlights of the Summit were exhibitors who have begun their journey towards commercialisation. One of them was Mr Ramaanda Daswa, a young entrepreneur who showcased cannabis-infused gummies. Another was JoAnne of Ms. Jenni-fer Badane, who displayed a range of cannabis-based products, including infused water, cosmetics, healing oils, and hair lotion. Both exhibitors hold the necessary permits and serve on the executive committee of the Limpopo Cannabis Association.

In a notable cultural moment, the event was graced with a powerful performance by renowned artist Dr Colbert Mukwevho, whose music added vibrancy to the proceedings and echoed the summit’s themes of healing, unity, and empowerment.

Univen Cannabos and Hemp Summit Structure:

Day One

Centred on Limpopo’s cannabis landscape, national legislative frameworks, ARC’s ongoing trials in Levubu, and the potential of the South African Cannabis Master Plan. Experts also explored funding avenues and offered global insights into cannabis regulation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Day Two:

Focus shifted to innovation and empowerment, spotlighting the journey from laboratory research to market-ready cannabis products. Sessions explored cannabis-infused Agro-food innovations, youth involvement in the green economy, Univen’s phytochemical research strengths, entrepreneurial journeys, and support mechanisms for cannabis SMMEs. The role of local governance in creating a sustainable and inclusive cannabis industry also took centre stage.