The CanPlan has been officially released by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and lays out a vision for how the province’s cannabis sector will be developed. It proposes six initiatives to get the province’s cannabis economy off the ground.

READ THE WESTERN CAPE'S CAN PLAN HERE

These are, in its own words:

1. Establish industry stakeholder coordination and problem-solving mechanisms (industry-province forum, possibly also commodity group);

2. Information sharing and decision support (crop selection, product focus, GIS analysis of suitable locations for growing and primary processing);

3. Extension services and production support for mainstreaming of legacy and informal producers and agri-processors;

4. Collaborative research/ trials on suitable varieties;

5. Research and promotion of Cannabis/hemp as rotation crop as part of improved environmental/ regenerative practices;

6. Evaluate measures to protect and promote unique WC hemp and cannabis characteristics (indigenous and traditional knowledge, trademarks, collective marks, GI);

The CanPlan says the Western Cape does not have optimum conditions for growing either high or low THC varietals and modified environments need to be developed in order for the province to fully enjoy the benefits of cannabis reform. It has identified the southern Cape as the most suitable area for hemp production but raises concerns about the natural climate.

The CanPlan identifies initiatives where other provincial role players could lead in providing a foundation for chang and has divided these into timelines. These are:

Short Term

1. Education and training, awareness raising with public, schools, decision-makers, medical professionals (Industry structures, THP WC, TNPA, Happy by Nature, Sustainability Institute WC Dept of Education and Social Services, local municipalities, Green Cape)

2. Western Cape brand development (DEDAT Wesgro Private brand development partners);

3. Effective, evidence-based advocacy and red tape reduction (DEDAT red tape unit, Office of the Premier Wesgro legal);

4. Cannabis and hemp investment support and facilitation (Wesgro);

Short to Medium Term

5. Networking and innovation with end-use industries in Western Cape (DEDAT, sector bodies {Blue Cape, SAPOA WC, Cape Clothing and Textiles Cluster, Construction industry});

6. Cannabis tourism support (DEDAT Tourism Wesgro);

7. Assessment and activation of role of Cannabis and hemp in environmental remediation, including on depleted farmland (WC E&DP, WCDOA, conservation partners, Cape Nature);

Medium Term

8. Provincial and local public procurement market activation (health, human settlements, education etc.) (DEDAT WC Depts of Health, Human Settlement, Education Local municipalities)

Western Agriculture Minister Ivan Meyer first unveiled the Western Cape Cannabis Framework and Implementation Plan (CanPlan) on 29 March 2023, providing clear guidelines for the development of the sector.

He said at the time: "The  CanPlan, which is aligned with the key objectives of the National Cannabis Master Plan, should contribute to economic development, job creation, rural development and poverty alleviation."

Agriculture department head, Dr Mogale Sebopetsa said the CanPlan identified several agriculture-led initiatives.

Sebopetsa said: "Agriculture-led initiatives include establishing industry stakeholder coordination and information sharing. The CanPlan further encourages collaborative research/ trials on suitable varieties, extension and production support services. Its aim is:

• the mainstreaming of legacy and informal producers and agri-processors,

• promotion of cannabis/hemp as a rotation crop as part of improved environmental/ regenerative practices, and

• evaluating measures to protect and promote unique Western Cape hemp and cannabis characteristics."

He further stated that initiatives where other provincial role players could lead in providing a foundation for change, are also included in the plan.

The CanPlan highlights that the potential size of the Cannabis industry in South Africa is estimated at R28 billion, possibly creating about 10 000 to 25 000 jobs across the value chain.

Meyer said that the development, growth and success of the cannabis industry require a value chain approach to ensure that the Western Cape benefits from this booming industry.

"The industry has the potential to absorb all skills levels, including low, semi and skilled labour. Tapping into this will contribute to growing our rural economy and creating jobs, which is this government's key priority", concluded Meyer.