CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Arrest of Rasta Elder on Bob Marley Beach Sparks Renewed Cannabis Debate in Jamaica THE Rastafarian elder who was arrested and charged on National Heroes' Day for cultivating ganja at Sugar Loaf Peak Nyabingi Centre, Bob Marley Beach in Bull Bay, was subsequently released on station bail — but his arrest has reignited debate in Jamaica on the sacramental rights that Rastafarians have to cultivate the plant. Jason Cross, Jamaica Observer 26 October 2022 at 12:00:00 Marcus Goffe, a member of the Rastafari community who is also the attorney-at-law representing the elder, shared that his client will appear in the Morant Bay Parish Court to answer to the cultivation charge on 9 November 2022. The attorney will be requesting a meeting with Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson to request that he tells the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to "back off" the Rastafari community. He argued that the constant harassment of Rastafarians who plant ganja for sacramental purposes must stop, and pointed to the amendment of the Dangerous Drugs Act in 2015 which he said gave the group the right to use ganja as sacrament. He told the Jamaica Observer that numerous Rastafarians, including the elder who was arrested, had applied for licences to allow them to cultivate ganja for sacramental use but said the Ministry of Justice had not put a proper framework in place to facilitate the issuance of those licences. "We explained everything to the police who arrested the elder. They said they were aware of the amendment but essentially the Ministry of Justice did not give any go-ahead so they cannot acknowledge the application for the licence. "In all truthfulness we have been in dialogue with the minister of justice, the minister of national security and the commissioner of police about this situation for months but we still have Rastafarian families hauled before the courts. Sometimes they drop the charge, sometimes the case throw out, and sometimes there is conviction. "You still have Rastamen being imprisoned or getting a criminal record. We have been asking for amnesty and while we are working through these things, make the police back off the Rastafari community. A lot of people are growing their own thing or are buying from others who have Cannabis Licensing Authority licences to grow. Dem still siddung pon Rastafari rights fi how long and are prioritising other people who just come een and a talk bout ganja." A representative of the Cannabis Licensing Authority who requested anonymity told the Sunday Observer that the Ministry of Justice has failed since 2015 to put together a framework and monitoring system to accommodate Rastafarians. "What the Ministry of Justice is supposed to be doing is developing a database of these sacramental sites. They are supposed to have a registry and share that with the police so that the Rastas can stop being harassed. Ideally, that is what is required, and then the ministry would issue a sacramental permit. The regulations would stipulate how much area they have and what they can and cannot do." Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck on Thursday sought to shift blame to the Rastafarians, whom he said do not want to be told how much ganja they can produce. "The Rastas have had several meetings with me. I have indicated to them that the law provides for them to be able to grow at least five plants per household. They say that is not enough for their sacramental purposes. There are quite a few of them who feel that they should be allowed to plant as many acres as they see fit, wherever they see fit. It is not possible for the Ministry of Justice to just give a blanket order for a Rasta to grow marijuana in whatever amount he sees fit. They have not complied by outlining to us exactly where they want to grow and how much area they want to grow. You can't say that you are applying to grow sacramental marijuana and then tell me that you want to grow 20 acres; it has to be within a certain boundary. I told them there is no reason why they should not be allowed to grow 20 or 40 plants within a limited area." Kamau Janai, Rastafari cannabis activist and board member of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, moved to rubbish the minister's argument, pointing out that the amended Dangerous Drugs Act 2015 states that any person in possession of ganja in excess of two ounces or more than five plants at home would have committed an offence. However, that does not apply to people growing ganja for medicinal and sacramental purposes. He said the justice ministry sent out a draft of a regulatory document roughly a month ago that speaks to places of worship, but acknowledged that it is in the draft phase. He added that there were two forms that were created by the Ministry of Justice, known as the application for sacramental cultivation and application for a place of worship. He said there are over 60 sacramental spaces that have applied for permits and recommended that the justice minister implement an amnesty until regulations are gazetted. "When we met with the minister of justice, the minister of national security and the police commissioner, we spoke to them about considering an amnesty. The amnesty would be a period where there is no raiding of our spaces, even while we are going through this regulatory document. While we are in negotiation we don't have a complete permit for sacramental spaces as yet — and they ought to let their officers know about it. Even when the police came by Bob Marley Beach the inspector said unless he sees an official licence he cannot honour it, he just have to carry out his orders. Rastafari is still being harassed and violated and charged for the possession of ganja over and above what they say is two ounce or five plants in the household. This law does not apply to Rastafari," Janai said. Time Fast Running Out For Pres Ramaphosa to Sign. Cannabis Bill into Law Before May 29 Elections. Cannabis Bill one of 27 pieces of impending legislation sitting on the President's des. Read E Cape Bemoans The Phakisa’s Lack of Momentum; Intends to Turn Coega SEZ Into a Major Cannabis Hub and Partners With Medigrow to Raise R100m Investment Premier says "sandbox" plan will allow farmers to grow cannabis without licenses if they supply the Coega hub. Read South African Willem v d Merwe Among those Arrested for JuicyFields Scam: Also Faces Fraud Charges in Cape Town Over Missing Investor Cash About 200 South Africans were among the hundreds of thousands of investors who lost cash through JucyFields Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabis in South Africa: The People’s Plant We are a civil society organisation with the interests of the existing Cannabis industry and the Human Rights of ALL citizens at heart. WE’RE BRINGING A NEW STANDARD We are more than just a cannabis retail company. We are about a lifestyle that promotes vitality, balance & good health. Resources & Equipment Explore cannabis growing equipment for growing weed at home. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to enhance your outdoor or indoor weed grow setup – we have the perfect range of cannabis growing equipment to match your marijuana growing ambitions. ​ Find everything from LED grow lights, grow tents, fans, and hydroponic setups, to environmental equipment and controls, harvesting accessories, extraction equipment and plenty more. Design your ideal cannabis growing setup with high quality growing equipment available in South Africa. Explore cannabis growing equipment we’ve curated from reliable online suppliers in South Africa Explore More

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS UK: CBD Overhyped; Drinks Probably Won't Cure Your Anxiety There's a big difference between the shop-bought drinks, oils and edibles, and the medicinal products that are backed by science according to UK experts: CBD might not be all it's cracked out to be. Simon Doherty, Vice Magazine 5 January 2024 at 09:00:00 This article was published on Vice.com on 24 November 2023. CBD has got to be one of the most hyped health trends of our time. An estimated six million British people have tried CBD products, and the UK CBD market is projected to be worth £1 billion by 2025. There's CBD tinctures, patches, e-liquids, drinks, edibles, creams, shampoos and gels for everything from anxiety to sleep to muscular pain. You can even buy a CBD drink in Sainsbury’s now, from a company named Trip which calls itself as “the UK's #1 CBD brand”. On the Trip website it says, “many people use CBD to help settle stress and feelings of anxiety.” It’s basically a can of pop for your mind, body and soul, right? The problem is: There's a huge difference between the CBD you'll find in over-the-counter products like Trip, and the CBD that is actually undergoing scientific research for its health benefits. Indeed, Trip concedes on their own website that their product is “not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease”. According to Dr Simon Erridge, a scientist at Imperial College London who researches cannabis-related medicine, food supplement companies should not be associating their products with these health claims. “There is a difference between pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis and what is available at any given wellness store in food products,” he tells VICE. “The products that are prescribed in the UK [i.e. pharmaceutical CBD] have to be [prescribed by] a consultant and they have to meet a pharmaceutical-grade quality,” Erridge says. For any CBD product to be considered pharmaceutical-grade it must go through extensive testing to prove it meets pre-defined manufacturing and licensing standards. “They have to meet certain requirements in terms of the precision of CBD,” he says. In simple terms, there’s a world of difference between the pharmaceutical-grade CBD that’s associated with such promising scientific findings, and the stuff you’re getting at your health shop or supermarket. “The [pharmaceutical CBD] are the products on which the research has been done,” says Erridge. “Whereas with wellness products – and in particular when they've been incorporated in foods or substances like coffees or drinks – there isn't any evidence around those, so I think it's a stretch to suggest that they could treat anxiety, for example.” Even if there was evidence that non-pharmaceutical-grade CBD could help with anxiety, the doses that companies like Trip are selling seem negligible compared to the doses being trialled in scientific studies. A can of Trip from Sainsbury's costs £2 and contains 15mg of CBD. In contrast, this study found that 300-600mg of CBD a day could potentially help with anxiety and stress, but concluded that more research was required. So, even if Trip sold pharmaceutical-grade CBD, you would have to neck between 20 and 40 cans a day (at a cost of between £280 and £560 a week) to get any of the therapeutic effects described in the study. So, is it fair for Trip to be pointing out the potential anti-anxiety properties of CBD on their website and then offering a non-pharmaceutical product in tiny doses? We contacted Trip for comment on these issues but, at the time of writing, they are yet to respond. Their website states that “75 percent of those that use CBD for stress relief experienced benefits” in reference to a study by a clinical researcher called Dr Julie Moltke. As well as conducting research in this field, Dr Moltke is an industry consultant in the UK’s burgeoning medicinal cannabis industry and has written a book titled, A Quick Guide to CBD . The study being used by Trip to sell their CBD was looking at the self-reported, perceived effect of CBD on stress, anxiety and sleep problems. “[It’s] a study to investigate user patterns and perceived effects of non-pharma CBD, that's all,” Moltke tells VICE via email. However, she notes that: “This is an observational study, hence not a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a control group getting a placebo.” She adds: “In bigger, expensive RCT studies you can look at effects and take away the placebo effect. I think, based on this study, that more studies are needed to make any further conclusions.” Trip are by no means the only over-the-counter CBD brand being associated with the health benefits of pharmaceutical grade CBD. Earlier this year, the Evening Standard ran a story that read: “Last year a report by the World Health Organization revealed that CBD may help treat symptoms relating to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, MS, pain, anxiety, depression, cancer and diabetic complications. People suffering from debilitating conditions such as arthritis, sciatica and endometriosis can now even find relief with a set of high-strength CBD patches.” In the very next paragraph they offered a link to Kloris CBD patches, a product that contains only 16mg of non-pharmaceutical grade CBD. While one VICE reviewer found that Kloris did help her sleeplessness, Kloris confirm on their website that their product is “not a medicine and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease”. In the US, marrying up medical claims with non-pharmaceutical CBD supplements is a big problem and has been made illegal. “Selling unapproved products with unsubstantiated therapeutic claims is not only a violation of the law,” the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner states, “but also can put patients at risk, as these products have not been proven to be safe or effective. This deceptive marketing of unproven treatments raises significant public health concerns.” The potential implications of all this goes beyond skimming cash from people in search of genuine health solutions. CBD is a drug with potentially dangerous side effects, but you probably didn’t know that because nobody ever talks about it. Safeena Minhas, a medical researcher at The University of Manchester, tells VICE: “People don't really know what the side effects of CBD are.” She continues: “What I saw in my research is that the CBD was making some people drowsy, giving them diarrhoea and suppressing their appetite… If you go on a wellness website and look at the CBD gummies, it doesn’t say anything about the injuries that CBD can cause. One study found that CBD in high doses can cause liver damage.” Both of the experts I spoke to for this piece agreed that there was only one condition that there is good, high-quality evidence to suggest that CBD can treat it, and that’s treatment-resistant epilepsy disorders in children. The NHS is prescribing it for that purpose, but, once again, that’s pharmaceutical-grade CBD – not food supplements. “If you’re going to take CBD, just make sure you know where you're getting it from and what’s inside the product,” Minhas says, “because I feel like a lot of these wellness companies may be advertising CBD oil, but it may not be CBD oil.” Her suspicions aren’t unfounded: A research paper published this year found that most non-pharmaceutical CBD in the UK did not contain what it claimed to. Their findings showed that only 8 percent of the products they tested had concentrations within 10 percent of the advertised strength. So, how do you get your hands on the good stuff? Well, as it stands – unless it’s for a child suffering from an treatment-resistant epilepsy disorder – the only way to get proper medical CBD is from one of the 40 private clinics that can prescribe it. At least that way, a doctor will be able to advise you on combining CBD with any additional medication you may be on, and monitor your progress with regards to any side effects. But, as it’s private healthcare, it is not cheap. In conclusion, says Erridge: “If you are considering CBD as part of your medical regime you should seek out a trained consultant or a clinic… rather than relying upon over-the-counter CBD oils, which don't have the same level of evidence and also aren't held to the same sorts of standards of quality.” Basically, if you’re hoping that your can of juice from Sainsbury’s is going to cure your anxiety, maybe think again. # Time Fast Running Out For Pres Ramaphosa to Sign. Cannabis Bill into Law Before May 29 Elections. Cannabis Bill one of 27 pieces of impending legislation sitting on the President's des. Read E Cape Bemoans The Phakisa’s Lack of Momentum; Intends to Turn Coega SEZ Into a Major Cannabis Hub and Partners With Medigrow to Raise R100m Investment Premier says "sandbox" plan will allow farmers to grow cannabis without licenses if they supply the Coega hub. Read South African Willem v d Merwe Among those Arrested for JuicyFields Scam: Also Faces Fraud Charges in Cape Town Over Missing Investor Cash About 200 South Africans were among the hundreds of thousands of investors who lost cash through JucyFields Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabis in South Africa: The People’s Plant We are a civil society organisation with the interests of the existing Cannabis industry and the Human Rights of ALL citizens at heart. WE’RE BRINGING A NEW STANDARD We are more than just a cannabis retail company. We are about a lifestyle that promotes vitality, balance & good health. Resources & Equipment Explore cannabis growing equipment for growing weed at home. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to enhance your outdoor or indoor weed grow setup – we have the perfect range of cannabis growing equipment to match your marijuana growing ambitions. ​ Find everything from LED grow lights, grow tents, fans, and hydroponic setups, to environmental equipment and controls, harvesting accessories, extraction equipment and plenty more. Design your ideal cannabis growing setup with high quality growing equipment available in South Africa. Explore cannabis growing equipment we’ve curated from reliable online suppliers in South Africa Explore More

Nyandeni Municipality Punts Cannabis as an Investment Opportunity to Ease Dreadful Poverty Explore More Thailand: Pro Cannabis Party Makes Better Than Expected Parliamentary Gains Explore More Portland, Oregon is the Most “Cannabis Friendly" City in the US; Birmingham, Alabama the Least Explore More PREVIOUS NEXT Cannabiz Africa 22/09/09, 08:00 A new organization representing most community and private cannabis stakeholders has been formed to pressure Government to urgently speed up the pace of cannabis reform. The Cannabis Mass Action Committee’s planning protest marches around the country as public dissatisfaction reaches new levels. The Cannabis Mass Action Committee (CMAC) has called for nationwide protests over Government’s slow implementation of cannabis reform. Gatherings are being planned on the Union Buildings in Pretoria and on Parliament in Cape Town on Saturday, 17 September 2022, the fourth anniversary of the historic Constitutional Court ruling legalizing the private consumption of cannabis. The hour-long protests outside the Union Buildings and Parliament will begin at 10.00 am and the CMAC has called for demonstrators to behave peacefully. The recently formed CMAC represents most of the major stakeholders in the cannabis community - Fields of Green for All (FGFA), the Cannabis Trade Association Africa (CTAA), the Black Farmers Association of South Africa (BFASA) Friends of Hemp South Africa (FHSA), Traditional & Natural Health Alliance (NHC), Grow One Africa, the Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) and Cheeba Africa, the South African Agricultural Initiative (SAAI), the Rastafari United Front, Umzimvubu Famers Support Network (UFSN), Afristar Cannabis Lobby Group, Cullinan & Associates Inc, the Marijuana Board of South Africa, the Cannabis Community Council, the Cannabis Development Council North West and Nutt Creative Consultants It has drawn up a manifesto expressing dissatisfaction with the the approach, structure and pace of Cannabis law reform and legal regulation in South Africa” and calling for the Government to urgently speed up cannabis reform and stop cannabis-related arrests. “We call upon the South African government to move rapidly to remove the barriers from the industry coming online, create robust communication channels between departments so that government departments are aligned in thought and not fragmented, and for decisive action to be taken to bring this industry online with an agreed strategy and committed (now indisputably urgent) timeline” reads the Manifesto, which goes on to say: “There is an urgent need for a moratorium on Cannabis arrests, to free up police and criminal justice resources and open a discourse on reparations for those that have suffered as a result of apartheid laws (that continue to be enforced in the new democratic dispensation) which unjustifiably infringe on numerous constitutional rights - this being especially contentious when one considers the endpoint that government has us believing is on the cards. The CMAC says the establishment of a legal cannabis framework is “disjointed, unfocused and taking too long” and there are still no solutions to how legacy farmers and traditional healers will fit in. It says the National Cannabis Master Plan – developed without public consultation - has stalled, and that “the President’s stated intention for an inclusive cannabis industry is not supported by the actions of the Government and the proposed legislation has resulted in a policy vacuum.” The organization says it wants a formal response from Government to its grievances. “Government does not seem to recognise that the opportunity cost outweighs any purported harms associated with cannabis use” reads the manifeseto, which asks Government to “allow for a reasonable trade in cannabis as a constitutional right for people who do not have access to private space - or the required capability - to cultivate cannabis”. The CMAC says that South Africa’s potential to be a world player in the cannabis market is being undermined by “the slow progress of creating gap-filling legislation, “begging the question whether we will, if this is left too long, ever be able to catch up”. “There are still no solutions for rural legacy Cannabis farmers who still remain criminals in the eyes of the law - while those with capital are purportedly allowed to grow Cannabis legally under licence. “We are all acutely aware of the current economic challenges in South Africa, especially post Covid, and the Cannabis industry is an opportunity to provide much needed income and opportunity to South African society, placing a high value crop in the hands of the rural poor to regenerate and reindustrialize our rural economy. The benefits of Cannabis and industrial hemp are now supported by credible evidence across the globe and there is simply no worthy justification as to why the legislative process is taking so long.” The manifesto says “a moratorium on arrests is but one of many viable interim measures that we respectfully submit must be implemented between now and promulgating overarching cannabis legislation, such that industry, civil society and government are able to innovate together, without fear of technical non-compliance with some or other legislative prohibition. “We proceed on the assumption that no harm equals no foul, mindful that the Constitutional onus rests with the State to prove us wrong - if it says that we are wrong”. The CMAC highlighted two cannabis industry regulatory framework documents, drawn up by experts, that serve as potential models. Fields of Green For ALL: “Cannabis in South Africa. The People’s Plant. A Full Spectrum Manifesto for Policy Reform” The Webber Wentzel / Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency - Regulatory Framework for Cannabis Both can be downloaded here: http://bitly.ws/u2z5 SOUTH AFRICAN CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Brought to you by: Mass Protests Planned Nationwide on 17 Sept as Cannabis Stakeholders Lose Patience with the Government. Home African News South African News International News All News Marketplace Business News More All South African News Are Sponsored by: CHEEBA AFRICA Hydrobiz Support Locals Networking for your business Meet like minded people Advertise with us today Connecting People Opportunity for all Supporting Business Growth

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS THC to Take Private Grow Club Case to the Supreme Court; Lawyers Say ‘Disappointing Judgement’ was Against the ‘Law of General Application’ Legal experts have slammed the ‘missed opportunity’ by the State to advance the human rights of its citizens as the grow club model appeal joins the congested queue of contested rulings lining up before the Supreme Court of Appeal. Brett Hilton-Barber 11 September 2022 at 10:00:00 Lawyers representing The Haze Club (THC) are preparing to file for leave for appeal against the Western Cape High Court ruling dismissing the legality of the private grow club model. They have to file their applications by 19 September 2022 with the hope that the Supreme Court will hear the matter before the end of next year. Paul-Michael Kiechel of Cullinan and Associates told a panel discussion on the implications of the judgement that Section 1A of the Constitution specifically said the State should be advancing human rights, not blocking them. “The State has to have a bloody good justification to limit an individual’s constitutional rights, such as society is going to collapse”. Instead, he said, the High Court’s ruling was based on the “apartheid-era” Drugs and Drug Trafficking of 1992, which in itself had been found to be unconstitutional. The discussion, hosted by cannabis commentator Jeff Verlinden, also featured Andrew Macpherson of Brink Ward Attorneys, who represents THC director Neil Liddell. He said the court ruling went against the law of general application and this could be challenged constitutionally. “Essentially it rules out people who can’t grow their own cannabis and would rather go through a grow club model that offers a safe alternative”. “The interpretation of the court ruling essentially is that the end-user must be the cultivator of the cannabis and that creates some patent absurdities. For example, if you are a paraplegic or in any way incapacitated and cannot grow your own, therefore, in this interpretation, you are barred from your right to use cannabis at home. If you cannot grow it, you cannot use it. He said “the Court makes some rather strange remarks on that basis. With regards to the transmission of cannabis it relies on the Drugs Act, under which this is illegal, and therefore you have to use it where you’re growing it, and that’s not in keeping with the Prince 3 judgement.” MacPherson said: “You are going to be in a position where you have a plant or two at home and a gardener splashing water on everything, and if he happens to splash water on your plant, then, in accordance with the definition of cultivation, which is also quite broad and encapsulates any process in the growing of a plant,… to take it to its illogical conclusion, then that gardener is guilty of dealing in cannabis, and subject to all the penalties associated with that. It’s….unthinkable”. Verlinden said it all came down to “It's like, who’s plant is this? And you can’t ask anyone to help you grow it!”. Kiechel agreed. He said that the “concept of joint co-ownership, say by a couple, of a property, of a house, only seems to become controversial when it applied to cannabis. If I’m the landlord and I’m renting a property to a couple who are co-growing cannabis, then in the narrow interpretation of the Drugs Trafficking Act, I could also be found guilty of dealing in cannabis.” MacPherson said there was an obligation on the courts to do a “justification or limitation analysis” when dealing with laws that had a constitutional implication. “When you look at the Constitution you have to weigh up the limitation of a constitutional right and then the onus shifts to the State as to why that limitation should be justified and that includes an evaluation as to whether there is a less restrictive means of achieving the same outcome, and that is arguably is absolutely possible by allowing a collectivized or socialized growing method, whether it be a community garden in an underprivileged area or be that a grow club for people who can afford it, and anything in between. “That to my mind is a very simple solution to an untenable interpretation of who can cultivate and use cannabis. When asked “where to from here?”, MacPherson replied: “It’s to carry on fighting for those constitutional rights and to take it onto the next step. The legal team is discussing the drafting of the application of leave to appeal, that’s in the pipeline. It has to be filed by 19 September, and once that’s filed the next step is to get it before the Supreme Court of Appeal. On our provisional time-line we are hoping to get that heard before the end of next year. Obviously, we are hoping for a quicker turn-around but we’ve got to be realistic with the pretty congested court system.” CA Time Fast Running Out For Pres Ramaphosa to Sign. Cannabis Bill into Law Before May 29 Elections. Cannabis Bill one of 27 pieces of impending legislation sitting on the President's des. Read E Cape Bemoans The Phakisa’s Lack of Momentum; Intends to Turn Coega SEZ Into a Major Cannabis Hub and Partners With Medigrow to Raise R100m Investment Premier says "sandbox" plan will allow farmers to grow cannabis without licenses if they supply the Coega hub. Read South African Willem v d Merwe Among those Arrested for JuicyFields Scam: Also Faces Fraud Charges in Cape Town Over Missing Investor Cash About 200 South Africans were among the hundreds of thousands of investors who lost cash through JucyFields Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabis in South Africa: The People’s Plant We are a civil society organisation with the interests of the existing Cannabis industry and the Human Rights of ALL citizens at heart. WE’RE BRINGING A NEW STANDARD We are more than just a cannabis retail company. We are about a lifestyle that promotes vitality, balance & good health. Resources & Equipment Explore cannabis growing equipment for growing weed at home. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to enhance your outdoor or indoor weed grow setup – we have the perfect range of cannabis growing equipment to match your marijuana growing ambitions. ​ Find everything from LED grow lights, grow tents, fans, and hydroponic setups, to environmental equipment and controls, harvesting accessories, extraction equipment and plenty more. Design your ideal cannabis growing setup with high quality growing equipment available in South Africa. Explore cannabis growing equipment we’ve curated from reliable online suppliers in South Africa Explore More

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Cheeba Set to Ride the International Cannabis Education Wave, But Please No Smoking in Class! Leading interational news organization Agence France Press (AFP) has put Cheeba’s Rivonia Cannabis Campus brand out there with a feature on its ground-breaking work in skills development and training. Co-founder Linda Sabota says the courses debunk misconceptions and upskill people for the anticipated international boom in this sector, but there’s definitely no smoking cannabis in class! AFP, Paris 26 June 2023 at 10:00:00 This Report from AFP, Paris, 23 June 2023. Linda Siboto co-founder of Cheeba, which styles itself as Africa’s first cannabis academy, says: “It’s important for us to professionalise this industry and basically showcase that we’re not stoners with red eyes all the time talking about how great the weed is”. The academy is hoping to ride a global re-think of cannabis regulations. From Spain to California, a growing number of governments are allowing people to light up. In Africa, tiny Lesotho green-lighted cultivation of medicinal cannabis in 2017, paving the way for others like Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa, which aspires to become a marijuana powerhouse. President Cyril Ramaphosa last year said cannabis has “huge potential” to draw investments and “create more than 130,000 new jobs”, a big pull in a country with an ailing economy and massive unemployment. Named after a slang word for weed, the Cheeba Cannabis Academy is preparing students to partake in the expected bonanza. “The industry, in order to develop, is going to need training and education,” says 42 year-old Siboto. Droopy plants School days start with a yoga session, under a holistic approach, with subject matters including business, nutrition and futurism. On a Thursday morning, about a dozen students sit at wooden desks before donning white coats to enter a laboratory at the back of the classroom. There Darian Jacobsen, a passionate cultivation teacher, showcases different pruning techniques before moving onto some common-sense tips that learners note down on their pads. “She’s not dead, sick or dying, she’s just a little thirsty,” Jacobsen, 28, says of a droopy-looking plant he takes out of an indoor grow tent. The academy started offering online classes in 2020 before moving to its current premises last year. The flagship course lasts 12 weeks and costs around $1,600 (around R30 000). The school has so far trained about 600 people and is hoping to get a leg-up from the government, which has announced grand but so far sketchy plans for cannabis. South Africa’s top court decriminalised private and personal use of cannabis in a 2018 landmark ruling. It tasked parliament with drawing up legislation but that is overdue, creating much “confusion” over exactly what is allowed, says Simon Howell, a University of Cape Town researcher. Selling the stuff outside the medical realm remains a crime. Cannabis clubs, a system where members pay to have their plants looked after, have sprung up across the country, but the legality of the concept is currently being tested in court. Meanwhile the government has handed out hundreds of licences to grow hemp and medical cannabis. But even here the industry is struggling to take off, analysts say. In theory, South Africa has all it takes to become a major exporter. Cannabis cultivation is a more than a century old tradition in parts of the country. Costs are lower than in some competitors, like Canada, for manpower is relatively cheap, the weather is mild and the local currency comparatively weak. “We have incredible sun here and lots of land, legacy growers and experience,” says Cheeba’s co-founder Trenton Birch. Pipe dreams? Yet, critics say the licence system shuts out small farmers who have been growing cannabis illegally for decades, with starting costs hovering around a million dollars. Many big growers are also having a hard time, says pharmaceutical expert and cannabis entrepreneur, Johann Slabber. They produce more than enough to cover local needs but can’t export to Europe — the main target market — because their standards are too low and raising them often entails starting over from scratch, he says. Out of almost 100 licensed farmers of medical cannabis, only five are currently exporting “on bulk scale” he says. The government has promised to streamline regulations to help the market to thrive. Funding a manufacturing facility that buys yield from farmers, processes it up to European standards and exports it directly, could also work, says Slabber. Still, despite the challenges, many are betting on the industry to succeed. The global cannabis market is expected to balloon to up to $272 billion in 2028, according to various estimates. South Africa’s slice is forecast to jump to $22 million in 2026, from $5 million in 2021, according to market research agency Insight Survey. Expecting an increase in demand for specialised workers, other education providers have started operating alongside Cheeba. READ: Cheeba Partners with Vital Veggies and Force Training. READ: Cheeba Sets Up International Consultancy to Assist New Entrants into SA Cannabis Market # Time Fast Running Out For Pres Ramaphosa to Sign. Cannabis Bill into Law Before May 29 Elections. Cannabis Bill one of 27 pieces of impending legislation sitting on the President's des. Read E Cape Bemoans The Phakisa’s Lack of Momentum; Intends to Turn Coega SEZ Into a Major Cannabis Hub and Partners With Medigrow to Raise R100m Investment Premier says "sandbox" plan will allow farmers to grow cannabis without licenses if they supply the Coega hub. Read South African Willem v d Merwe Among those Arrested for JuicyFields Scam: Also Faces Fraud Charges in Cape Town Over Missing Investor Cash About 200 South Africans were among the hundreds of thousands of investors who lost cash through JucyFields Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabis in South Africa: The People’s Plant We are a civil society organisation with the interests of the existing Cannabis industry and the Human Rights of ALL citizens at heart. WE’RE BRINGING A NEW STANDARD We are more than just a cannabis retail company. We are about a lifestyle that promotes vitality, balance & good health. Resources & Equipment Explore cannabis growing equipment for growing weed at home. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to enhance your outdoor or indoor weed grow setup – we have the perfect range of cannabis growing equipment to match your marijuana growing ambitions. ​ Find everything from LED grow lights, grow tents, fans, and hydroponic setups, to environmental equipment and controls, harvesting accessories, extraction equipment and plenty more. Design your ideal cannabis growing setup with high quality growing equipment available in South Africa. Explore cannabis growing equipment we’ve curated from reliable online suppliers in South Africa Explore More

Nyandeni Municipality Punts Cannabis as an Investment Opportunity to Ease Dreadful Poverty Explore More Thailand: Pro Cannabis Party Makes Better Than Expected Parliamentary Gains Explore More Portland, Oregon is the Most “Cannabis Friendly" City in the US; Birmingham, Alabama the Least Explore More PREVIOUS NEXT Cannabiz Africa 23/05/30, 05:00 One of the cannabis presentations to Parliament last week was by social anthropologist Etienne van Zyl, who raised the concept of “terroir” in relation to “dagga”. If France can appropriate the Champagne brand for the Champagne region in that country, shouldn’t South Africa to the same with “Dagga” in order to protect our landraces and genetic Intellectual Property? Terroir is mostly associated with the wine industry and speaks to the specific conditions a grape is grown in, most importantly the region, soil and environment that makes it unique. Social anthropologist Etienne van Zyl, who has been studying the cannabis industry for the past three years, told MP’s on the Justice and Correctional Services Portfolio on 24 May 2023, that it was scientifically incorrect to treat hemp and cannabis as separate plants, and that it was more helpful to look at the end use: in the case of “hemp” it would be more appropriate to call it “industrial cannabis”. Van Zyl went further and said South Africa should look more closely at terminology and how it could benefit traditional cannabis communities. “Terroir is a complex concept according to which the typicity of a product is determined by both its natural and cultural environments and that a landrace is a domesticated form of plant (or animal), that due to isolation, has adapted to its natural and cultural environments”, he said. “In more complex terms, one can say terroir is how an expression of non-genetic factors, such as environmental or cultural factors, impact the genotype as well as the phenotypic plasticity of a given cultivar, and most especially in the long run, a landrace.” “Typicity” van Zyl explained, was affected by the physical and biological environment (soil, climate, interaction with livestock), crop specificity and diversity, and collective production knowledge (including social and political dynamics) that evolves over time. “All of these elements come together as ‘terroir’ he said. Van Zyl pointed out that South Africa had its own handful of cannabis landraces that had been shaped by natural and cultural dynamics for over a century Landraces are more sustainable than other varieties because they have been selected local pest and drought resistance as well as their preferred effects for use it traditional medicine or for herbal effects. He said livelihoods and traditions that rely on landraces are at great risk should the Cannabis Bill be enacted. He said Government should rather work with the communities that have developed this indigenous knowledge and unlock the value of what existed, rather than trying to impose a hemp regime. He said South Africa’s landraces were valuable intellectual property, the benefit of which, should accrue to the generators of that IP. # SOUTH AFRICAN CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Brought to you by: Terroir: South Africa Should “Own Dagga” Like France “Owns Champagne” Home African News South African News International News All News Marketplace Business News More All South African News Are Sponsored by: CHEEBA AFRICA Hydrobiz Support Locals Networking for your business Meet like minded people Advertise with us today Connecting People Opportunity for all Supporting Business Growth

Nyandeni Municipality Punts Cannabis as an Investment Opportunity to Ease Dreadful Poverty Explore More Thailand: Pro Cannabis Party Makes Better Than Expected Parliamentary Gains Explore More Portland, Oregon is the Most “Cannabis Friendly" City in the US; Birmingham, Alabama the Least Explore More PREVIOUS NEXT Cannabiz Africa/IOL News 23/05/21, 09:00 Mpumulanga SAPS say they’re strengthening measure to combat “dagga trafficking” from neighbouring countries, particularly the Kingdom of eSwatini. This after several arrests including that of an eSwatini police sergeant in Limpopo for allegedly dealing in cannabis. An eSwatini police sergeant and two other Swazi nationals have been arrested in Burgersfort, Limpopo on cannabis dealing charges. This follows a Mpumulanga police warning that they are increasing their vigilance on cross border cannabis smuggling from eSwatini. IOL reports that the 46 year-old sergeant was taken into custody at around 11 am on Thursday, 18 May 2023 after a stop and search operation on the R37 next to L50 Farm. Police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says police were conducting a routine operation when they stopped a white Volkswagen Polo with Mpumulanga registration plates. Colonel Ledwaba said police searched the car “after detecting an unpleasant odour” and found cannabis to the value of R62 000. The three occupants of the car, all eSwatini nationals, were then arrested and it was then discovered that one of them was a serving policeman. READ: MPUMULANGA POLICE CAPTAIN BUST FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING 22 KG OF CANNABIS OUT THE BACK OF HS POLICE VAN And in another recent arrest, a 31 year-old man was taken into custody on Monday, 15 May 2023 at Mahamba border post between South Africa and eSwatini after he allegedly tried to smuggle cannabis concealed in a sealed gas tank. Mpumulanga police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said “alert police officers intercepted the man, cut open the gas tank and found dagga with a street value of around R18 000”. Colonel Mdhluli said “Police in Mpumalanga have strengthened security measures when it comes to dagga trafficking from neighbouring countries, including the Kingdom of Eswatini.” He said security had been tightened on South Africa’s borderline where false vehicle compartments were uncovered recently. READ: MPUMULANGA WARDEN ARRESTED AFTER ALMOST 2 TONS OF CANNABIS FOUND AT STANDERTON PRISON. SOUTH AFRICAN CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Brought to you by: Wrong Arm of the Law! eSwatini Cop Bust Allegedly Selling Cannabis in Limpopo Home African News South African News International News All News Marketplace Business News More All South African News Are Sponsored by: CHEEBA AFRICA Hydrobiz Support Locals Networking for your business Meet like minded people Advertise with us today Connecting People Opportunity for all Supporting Business Growth

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Marco Brink’s Farm Tips : Try Growing Acapulco Gold, It’s as Well-Suited to SA as Swazi Gold and BTW Cannabis Clubs are the Way Forward With the cannabis sector being heavily touted by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government in recent weeks, IOL spoke to South African cultivator Marco Brink who shared some insight into the business, from seed to harvest and beyond. Jehran Naidoo, IOL News 6 November 2023 at 09:00:00 This report first appeared in IOL News on 31 October 2023. Marco Brink, 42, has been farming the plant since 2018, after the Constitutional and High Court rulings. Brink’s location is not being disclosed due to safety reasons. Brink was a farmer prior to putting his first cannabis plant in the ground and has years of experience in agriculture. After the ruling came out, which stated that citizens could cultivate for personal use, the 42-year-old decided to enter the industry. “I was farming prior to this, so it's not like I’m only relying on cannabis. But it would be nice to have another feather in my hat. “I farm fresh produce, so we decided to apply those same skills and knowledge to cannabis, and it has been a long five years, learning the ins and outs of the plant and what strains perform well in our climate. “The first time I planted, I put about 200 plants in the ground but only managed to get around 30 grams from each plant. Now I harvest around 150 grams per plant; that’s because of how much we learned over time,” Brink said. In the beginning, Brink used to sow seeds into the ground, but now runs a mother-and-clone system. This is done by growing a big cannabis plant, which you can cut clones from, explaining the name “mother plant”. These clones are often propagated indoors and then transplanted outside when they are mature enough to be exposed to the sun. This is done to increase the chances of success at harvest. The cloning method also allows cultivators to keep a strain they like or that has performed well in circulation. The business of cannabis after it is grown and harvested is still a grey area, however, as legalities around the sale of cannabis are not set in stone, as the provincial government is making it out to be. Brink said the cannabis club route was a good option for him because of the safety and community that came with it, unlike a commercial operation, which involves a lot of parties. “I’m just a farmer, not a thug. When I first got into it, I met a lot of unsavoury characters and I knew right away I did not want to deal with them. I’m not a person to carry around guns and have my goons with me. “The way cannabis clubs work, I think there could be ways for people to benefit from it but there’s also a lot of work that comes with it which nobody tells you about. We each have a contract to grow for a specific member, whatever they like, and we basically fulfil that contract by growing the specified strain,” Brink said. The farmer by profession said the indica dominant strains perform well in the South African climate, with strains like Swazi gold, Acapulco gold being popular ones. Acapulco gold is native to South America, but performs well in South Africa because of similarities in our climates, Brink explained. “I don’t see this as a major business venture, to be honest. The way things are right now in terms of the law, it's going to be a while before it is considered legal. That being said, the 2018 ruling was a sort of door opening into another market for me, but I will continue to farm other products as well,” Brink said. Time Fast Running Out For Pres Ramaphosa to Sign. Cannabis Bill into Law Before May 29 Elections. Cannabis Bill one of 27 pieces of impending legislation sitting on the President's des. Read E Cape Bemoans The Phakisa’s Lack of Momentum; Intends to Turn Coega SEZ Into a Major Cannabis Hub and Partners With Medigrow to Raise R100m Investment Premier says "sandbox" plan will allow farmers to grow cannabis without licenses if they supply the Coega hub. Read South African Willem v d Merwe Among those Arrested for JuicyFields Scam: Also Faces Fraud Charges in Cape Town Over Missing Investor Cash About 200 South Africans were among the hundreds of thousands of investors who lost cash through JucyFields Read NEXT PREVIOUS Cannabis in South Africa: The People’s Plant We are a civil society organisation with the interests of the existing Cannabis industry and the Human Rights of ALL citizens at heart. WE’RE BRINGING A NEW STANDARD We are more than just a cannabis retail company. We are about a lifestyle that promotes vitality, balance & good health. Resources & Equipment Explore cannabis growing equipment for growing weed at home. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to enhance your outdoor or indoor weed grow setup – we have the perfect range of cannabis growing equipment to match your marijuana growing ambitions. ​ Find everything from LED grow lights, grow tents, fans, and hydroponic setups, to environmental equipment and controls, harvesting accessories, extraction equipment and plenty more. Design your ideal cannabis growing setup with high quality growing equipment available in South Africa. Explore cannabis growing equipment we’ve curated from reliable online suppliers in South Africa Explore More

Cricket Legend Sir Ian Botham OBE Champions the Healing Powers of CBD Sporting and charity hero, Sir Ian Botham is to become a brand ambassador for EthicaCBD after this personal experience in using its cannabis sports gel to return to an actve life. Cannabis’s role in combating inflamation and pain is finding a growing niche in the world of sports medicine. Stephanie Price, Cannabis Health 23/02/13, 08:00 Cannabiswealth.com reports from London that EthicaCBD has announced its partnership between its Sports Gel and sporting legend Sir Ian Botham OBE. Over a 15-year test cricket career and nearly four decades of global charity walks raising over £30 million, Sir Ian has pushed his body to the limits leading to decades of treatment and intense surgeries. Last Summer, six months prior to his recent knee surgery and at his least mobile, Sir Ian was introduced by his son Liam to a CBD sports gel that helped him return to his active lifestyle within a matter of weeks. With plans this year to play golf tournaments and with a busy fundraising schedule that will have Sir Ian physically pushing himself, using the therapeutic gel is part of his daily routine. Ian’s son, Liam Botham commented: “I sent the gel over to dad and three weeks later he was walking round Sunningdale.” Ian was back on his feet walking round Sunningdale Golf Course after three weeks and after two months made a return to the Dunhill Links, playing three rounds of competitive golf despite not being able to make it round a course for at least two years prior to finding the gel. Speaking on the Dunhill, about his experience using the therapeutic gel, Sir Ian said: “To get me through the Dunhill, I used the Gel 2-3 times per day. To be quite frank, without the gel, I wouldn’t have gotten round. This gel gives me the opportunity to get active again, quicker.” The core ingredients of the sports gel are two cannabinoids – CBD and CBG. The most common topical application of these two legal cannabinoids (CBD and CBG) is for pain relief. The gel is made with 100% natural ingredients. Lord Botham commented: “Sometimes you can do all the talking in the world, but when it actually comes to it, it’s gotta work, and it works.” Nyandeni Municipality Punts Cannabis as an Investment Opportunity to Ease Dreadful Poverty READ Thailand: Pro Cannabis Party Makes Better Than Expected Parliamentary Gains READ Portland, Oregon is the Most “Cannabis Friendly" City in the US; Birmingham, Alabama the Least READ Nigerian Journalists Fined for Conspiracy and Defamation After Investigation into Cannabis Use at Rice Factory READ UK Parliament Debates Medical Cannabis for the First Time READ INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS PREVIOUS NEXT

Nyandeni Municipality Punts Cannabis as an Investment Opportunity to Ease Dreadful Poverty Explore More Thailand: Pro Cannabis Party Makes Better Than Expected Parliamentary Gains Explore More Portland, Oregon is the Most “Cannabis Friendly" City in the US; Birmingham, Alabama the Least Explore More PREVIOUS NEXT Cannabiz Africa 24/02/01, 10:00 Paarl-based Afriplex, the centre-piece of cannabis group Impilovest, has emerged as a leading player in a study that indicates that cannabis is highly effective in the treatment of opioid addiction. Paarl-based Afriplex , the centre-piece of cannabis group Impilovest, has emerged as a leading player in local research that indicates that cannabis is highly effective in the treatment of opioid addiction. The study involving 308 patients experiencing chronic pain conditions and on opioid treatment, alternative cannabis remedies found that 82% were off opioids within six months. The research, approved by Pharma Ethics, the Department of Health and the Medical Research Council, was conducted by three subsidiaries of the Impilovest Group : Afriplex, the SA Cannabis Research Institute and Releaf Pharmaceuticals. Afriplex’s tincture of a CBD/THC ratio of 1:1 was highly effective in reducing opioid dependency in the target group that was experiencing chronic pain. The Impilovest group’s responsible pharmacist, Robert Longrigg said the success of the trials was based on an understanding of the relationship between the endocanaboid, inflammatory and nociceptive systems (Nociceptive pain is a type of pain caused by an injury, physical pressure, or inflammation of some part of the body) Longrigg has emphasized the opioid-sparing effect, highlighting how medical cannabis has the potential to reduce the reliance on opioid medications. The group has registered the brand name Caanu as a standards measure for the South African cannabis industry. It has formulated a Caanu-standardized cannabis oil, a 30ml spray to advance the medical science behind cannabis. Releaf Pharmaceuticals, with over 70% market share in CBD oil, coughed up the bucks to sponsor this standardized medication, underscoring Impiovests collaborative efforts in the pursuit of safer alternatives for chronic pain. Looking ahead, Willco Janse van Vuuren, CEO of Releaf, emphasizes the importance of accessing cannabis medicines through proper channels. He says that despite the current absence of registered cannabis medicines with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), patients can utilize a Section 21 process with doctors to access cannabis medication. Afriplex, which is emerging as a leading player in medical cannabis research says it is eagerly awaiting the results scheduled for publication in a peer-reviewed journal later this year. It says it well-positioned to take advantage of the transformative potential of medical cannabis in pain management as it gains increasing international traction. # SOUTH AFRICAN CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Brought to you by: Afriplex, CRI, Releaf Take The Lead in Ground-Breaking Medical Trial That Proves Cannabis Is Safer Alternative to Opioids in Chronic Pain Treatment Home African News South African News International News All News Marketplace Business News More All South African News Are Sponsored by: CHEEBA AFRICA Hydrobiz Support Locals Networking for your business Meet like minded people Advertise with us today Connecting People Opportunity for all Supporting Business Growth

Argentine Cannabis Activists Sneak 420 Banner Into Qatar for Fifa World Cup Qatar has strict laws against cannabis, punishable by jail time. But that didn’t stop the Argentine Cannabis Confederation’s cheeky unveiling of their pro-cannabis banner – “the biggest rag at the World Cup” - when Argentina was on the pitch. Franca Quarneti via El Planteo 22/12/02, 10:30 If you paid attention, you may have seen it: a flag of the Argentine Cannabis Confederation, waving during the soccer games of the Argentine National Team at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Check out the pictures here In fact, it is quite difficult not to lay your eyes on it, since the 420-friendly flag has dimensions of 26 x 5 feet , one of the biggest flags that were seen among Argentine soccer fans. In an exclusive conversation with El Planteo, Leandro Ayala , president of the Argentine Cannabis Confederation, stated: "I run into people on the street and they say to me 'are you from the Cannabis Confederation? How proud, I felt represented'. And they send me the photos of the people who were in the stadium. So cool”. And he continued: “It is the biggest rag in the World Cup, at least until the game with Mexico. So far, the biggest rag is a cannabis rag.” In addition, Ayala said that bringing the flag into the country had its complexities, as well as positioning it in the stadium. “I was with Khalifa, the first cousin of the prince, of the Emir, talking about cannabis. He offered me a [legal] weed and we took the photo with the flag,” the Argentine businessman said surprised. Lastly, the Argentine Cannabis Confederation is holding a raffle: if you are watching a match and see the flag, take a screenshot and tag the Argentine Cannabis Confederation on I nstagram . You can win a good gift! What is the Argentine Cannabis Confederation? The Cannabis Confederation seeks to promote the organization and political leadership of the Argentine cannabis industry to guarantee access for national producers and small businesses. Likewise, on its website the Cannabis Confederation state that its mission is “nuclear all the actors behind this plant, consolidate the union of all these actors, make the general public visible and aware of this plant and all the applications that humanity can give it for its development, conservation and sustainable management of resources natural resources and the environment from justice and solidarity, participating in the execution and administration of strategic development projects at the local, national and international level”. How is the Cannabis And Drug Situation in Qatar As reported by the Daily Mail , Law 9 of 1987 on the Control and Regulation of Narcotic Drugs and Dangerous Psychotropic Substances establishes that people caught smuggling drugs into Qatar may face 20-year prison terms and fines of between $26,000 and $80,000. Additionally, enthusiasts with a record of similar crimes will face the death penalty or life imprisonment. It should be noted that the crimes committed outside the Arab country count when defining whether there is a history. What about prescription drugs? Supporters should note that their prescription drugs may be considered controlled substances in Qatar. For this reason, the organizers of the soccer World Cup reported: “If you need to bring controlled or prescribed medicines to Qatar, make sure you bring the official prescription from your doctor, the hospital note, or a letter from your physician detailing the medicine, the prescribed amount and dosage.” # Nyandeni Municipality Punts Cannabis as an Investment Opportunity to Ease Dreadful Poverty READ Thailand: Pro Cannabis Party Makes Better Than Expected Parliamentary Gains READ Portland, Oregon is the Most “Cannabis Friendly" City in the US; Birmingham, Alabama the Least READ Nigerian Journalists Fined for Conspiracy and Defamation After Investigation into Cannabis Use at Rice Factory READ UK Parliament Debates Medical Cannabis for the First Time READ INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS PREVIOUS NEXT

US Cannabis Legalization Exposes the Absurdities of Having Banned the Plant in the First Place Banning a plant with hundreds of industrial and medical uses was never going to work out well, but 2022 saw marijuana prohibition reach peak absurdity, not to mention peak confusion for consumers and new businesses trying to make sense of it all. Mike Ludwig, Truth Out 23/01/03, 04:00 Truthout.org reports that at first glance, cannabis reform appears to be humming along smoothly. Maryland, Missouri and Rhode Island approved legalization initiatives in 2022 as states such as New Mexico and New York raced to establish regulations for legal recreational sales. New laws in mostly blue states expunged cannabis arrests from criminal records for thousands of people. President Joe Biden made moves to pardon federal marijuana prisoners and reconsider the federal “scheduling” of marijuana, a baby step toward potentially ending federal prohibition administratively. Lawmakers debated cannabis reform bills in Congress, even if the vast majority were never passed into law. A look under the hood, however, reveals regulatory chaos in a nation where marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. For many people, 2022 will be remembered as the year “legal THC” hit the shelves, including in almost every state still under prohibition. The hemp industry, which previously brought us non-inebriating CBD in countless forms, leveraged sketchy chemistry and legal loopholes to evade regulation and sell various synthetic THC products that will absolutely get customers high regardless of where they live, making a mockery out of prohibition. Unlike traditional cannabis sold in legalized states, researchers know little about the potential risks of using synthetic THC, but “legal THC” products are now commonly sold online and in convenience stories. Sales are booming in states where traditional marijuana remains illegal, particularly among novice consumers and medicine seekers who prefer to avoid running afoul of the law. While the hemp industry has expanded access to cannabis edibles that can relieve conditions such as pain and insomnia, unregulated vapes and powerfully psychoactive synthetics are raising public health concerns. In states that legalized recreational cannabis, regulators face a steep learning curve as lawmakers push to squeeze a rapidly growing industry of tax revenue. In California, the heart of U.S. cannabis production, costly taxes and regulations are putting small growers and dispensaries out of business while California-grown weed continues to dominate unregulated markets across the country. Some Californians joke that only tourists pay dispensary prices, because weed is cheaper under the table for those in the know. Like California, hundreds of unlicensed “gray market” dispensaries in New York are attracting police raids and creating headaches for regulators and new businesses trying to play by the rules. At every turn, corporate cannabis is deploying an army of lobbyists and regulatory experts to capture new markets, a potential threat to racial justice and “social equity” efforts to ensure that independent businesses in communities most harmed by prohibition benefit from recreational sales. State-level legalization policy is “complex” but moving in the right direction considering that cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, according to Morgan Fox, political director at the cannabis reform group NORML. Twenty-one states, along with Washington, D.C. and Guam, have approved adult-use marijuana legalization, and at least 37 states now have a medical program. Each state is a policy laboratory, Fox said, and as stigma around cannabis recedes, states are learning from one another, and more policy makers are willing to dive into the nuances of legalization. “I know we’re seeing that learning curve get less and less steep as we get more and more states on the board and have more practical experience with how regulations can and should be put in place,” Fox said in an interview. Only 2 Percent of Legal Cannabis Business Owners Are Black Many challenges remain, particularly around so-called social equity. Racial justice groups say lawmakers must address the damage caused by the drug war in communities of color by ensuring that minority-owned startups and “legacy operators” — people who were in the weed business before legalization — can enter the regulated market, create jobs and build wealth in their communities. It’s simply easier for big companies backed by wealthy investors to pay taxes and regulatory costs needed to get a business up and running despite heavy competition for licenses and customers. Fox said social equity programs at the state and local level are not working as well as proponents had hoped, but that may be an understatement. By some estimates, only 2 percent of cannabis business owners are Black, and most are white men. “If you eliminate license caps and you minimize the barriers to entry, minimize the tax rates, minimize the cost of compliance for the regulatory structure, you’re going to be able to give people a much greater chance to enter and then survive in the regulated market,” Fox said, adding that this is an approach that few lawmakers are willing to consider. State lawmakers often see cannabis as “cash cow” of endless tax revenue, Fox said, but high taxes are a barrier for smaller operators, especially when large amounts of cannabis are siloed within state borders and prices plummet as supply exceeds demand. Under federal law, traditional cannabis cannot legally be sold across state borders, but synthetic “legal THC” from hemp is commonly sold online and shipped across the country. That means legal cannabis is competing both with cheap hemp products sold in liquor stores and gas stations as well as the unregulated marijuana supply that consumers have relied on for decades. “The more we can replace the unregulated market with the regulated market, the more legacy operators we can bring into the regulated space,” Fox said. “It might be counterintuitive to think that lower taxes equal higher revenue, but when you’re dealing with the unique situation of a preexisting, unregulated market, you have to look at it from a different perspective.” As smaller growers and dispensaries struggle to compete with corporate cannabis, particularly in California, New York took the most aggressive action yet and reserved the first recreational licenses for businesses owned by women, people of color and people with cannabis convictions. However, the process is painfully slow for startups and has not prevented cops from busting down the doors of “gray market” dispensaries already operating without a license in New York City and beyond. Residents of New York’s Native American reservations took matters into their own hands, opening dispensaries within their borders before the state began handing out licenses to grow and sell cannabis. Still, Fox said the conversation around social equity is heading in the right direction. Ensuring that people with past convictions for cannabis offenses are not barred from entering the legal market is crucial. “Back in 2012, when Colorado voters were considering legalization, even the idea of things like expungement or retroactive amnesty [for past criminal convictions] were polling as initiative killers,” Fox said. “But fast forward 10 years, and you can’t have a discussion about legalization without talking about repairing the harms caused by the war on drugs and trying to ensure equitable opportunities within the regulated cannabis industry.” The Rise of “Legal THC” This reporter recently purchased “hemp-derived” gummies containing THC and CBD from a liquor store in Louisiana, where traditional THC-rich cannabis is still illegal without a medical card. CBD and THC are said to work in harmony, and as the effects of the two most popular cannabinoids set in, I thought about the people who lost years of their lives or are still in prison for selling virtually the same drug. However, the gummy I ingested was not a traditional cannabis edible like those sold in Oregon or Colorado. While the main psychoactive ingredient, Delta-9 THC, is the same inebriating compound found in traditional cannabis flower, the “Delta-9” in my gummies is likely a synthetic version derived from hemp and produced by a largely unregulated chemical process. Without test results verified by regulators, or at least access to a trusted brand, I also do not know if the gummy actually contains a different, newly developed synthetic, such as Delta-8, THC-P or THC-0, according to Fox. “Because the FDA has decided to drag its feet on regulating CBD, a lot of the bigger distributors and retailers refused to carry those products,” Fox said. “These producers were sitting on massive amounts CBD [extract] with nothing to do with it. So, they figured out that they could, through a pretty nasty chemical process, turn that CBD into inebriating cannabinoid derivatives.” Sound confusing? You’re not alone. Research published in June analyzed 57,913 posts on Reddit message boards from more than 11,000 individual users discussing products containing Delta-8 THC, the most common synthetic derived from hemp, as well as other, more powerful synthetics used to increase the potency of Delta-8 products. Users flocked to the message board to learn where to purchase “synth” THC products, discuss product quality and overall safety and legality, and share their experiences with the effects. Given the lack of regulation and testing, and the wide availability of hemp products despite their “questionable legality,” the researchers concluded that hemp-derived THC should be a “concern for health officials.” So, is any of this legal? That depends on who you ask, but the hemp industry claims synthetic THC products are federally legal thanks to the 2014 Farm Bill, which legalized industrial hemp containing 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC or less. Delta-9 THC, of course, is the main psychoactive ingredient in traditional cannabis and is banned under federal prohibition. However, Delta-8 THC and other synthetics derived from hemp do not have the exact same chemical structure Delta-9 THC and are therefore legal, the industry argues, even if the compounds provide nearly identical effects. But what about the “Delta-9” in the gummy your faithful reporter consumed? Regardless of whether it was created synthetically or simply extracted from the plant, the Delta-9 THC in my gummy was derived from legal hemp, not traditional cannabis. As long as that Delta-9 derivative makes up only 0.3 percent of the dry weight of the gummy, the industry claims, then it’s legal under the Farm Bill, which capped hemp products at 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC. With strong extracts or derivatives, hemp companies can pack multiple doses of THC into one edible. “Yeah, I mean it’s an absurd system and also one that carries a lot of potential risk for consumers,” Fox said. “The only reason that there is a market for synthetically derived cannabinoids, or inebriating cannabinoids other than delta-9 THC, is because cannabis is illegal in those places.” Legal experts continue to debate whether hemp-derived THC is actually legal, but broadly speaking, authorities have not cracked down. Perhaps they see the writing on the wall and know cannabis prohibition is finally coming to an end. Yet tens of thousands of people are still arrested for cannabis every year, especially in conservative states such as Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana. Unfortunately, we may never know how many people were arrested for cannabis possession in 2022. Around a third of local police departments failed to comply with changes to the FBI’s annual crime reporting program, leaving massive gaps in the 2022 data. “So, it was completely impossible to track the most recent data on how many marijuana-related arrests have occurred throughout the country,” Fox said. “And it’s very difficult to make good public policy when you can’t get good data.” For cannabis reform to be successful, Fox said, Congress must pass a law to end federal prohibition. The Biden administration has motioned toward “rescheduling” cannabis administratively, but that process can take a long time, and earlier efforts were roadblocked by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Earlier this year, House Democrats passed legislation to legalize cannabis with racial justice provisions, but the bill died in the Senate. While there is support for legalization in both parties, Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on how to do it. Lawmakers are also unmotivated. A review of the 2022 midterms by the Brookings Institution found that 86 percent of congressional candidates made no mention of cannabis reform on their campaign websites or social media, staked out an unclear position, or said they opposed reform. However, polls show public support for legalization surpassing 70 percent, and Fox said the issue is increasingly becoming a priority among voters as hemp products explode and nearby states legalize. A lack of political will has always stood in the way of drug reform, and that’s unlikely to change in the next Congress, when a Republicans caucus featuring far right extremists will take over the House majority. Fox said lawmakers can still work together to get something done, such as legalizing medical marijuana in the federal health system for veterans. Meanwhile, cannabis in all its myriad forms will continue to be bought and sold everywhere, both legally and illegally, just as it always has. This, at least, is one thing we can count on in 2023. # Nyandeni Municipality Punts Cannabis as an Investment Opportunity to Ease Dreadful Poverty READ Thailand: Pro Cannabis Party Makes Better Than Expected Parliamentary Gains READ Portland, Oregon is the Most “Cannabis Friendly" City in the US; Birmingham, Alabama the Least READ Nigerian Journalists Fined for Conspiracy and Defamation After Investigation into Cannabis Use at Rice Factory READ UK Parliament Debates Medical Cannabis for the First Time READ INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS PREVIOUS NEXT