CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Jo’burg Restaurant Denies Service to Leading Rap-Artist Because He ‘Smelled of Cannabis and Had Tattoos’. Mikes Kitchen in Parktown has become embroiled in a row with Rapper Emptee after throwing him out of the restaurant for “smelling like weed”; the musician says his lawyers will ask for an apology and that the whole incident reeked of racism. Benjamin M Adams 24 April 2024 at 08:00:00 This report from High Times , published on 28 March 2024. Should restaurant patrons who smell like weed be denied service at a restaurant? That’s the question South Africans should be asking after one of the country’s top rappers was denied service along with two friends. South African rapper Emtee was recently denied service, along with along with artists Uncle Vinny and Yungseruno, from a branch of Mike’s Kitchen in Johannesburg, last month after the restaurant complained that they smelled like weed. (Personal cannabis use at home is decriminalized and medical use is legal in South Africa.) The incident has prompted a national social media debate about the odour of cannabis in public spaces, and many people think the rappers were profiled as well. Emtee, who has millions of followers on Instagram, along with rappers Uncle Vinny and Yungseruno , said they were refused entry from Mike’s Kitchen in Parktown because they were “smelling of weed and had too many tattoos.” The restaurant chain is known for South African heritage-based dishes. TimesLIVE , South Africa’s second-biggest news website, reports that Emtee’s lawyers demanded an apology from Mike’s Heritage House in the upscale Parktown neighborhood of Johannesburg or he will take legal action against the restaurant. “We decided to go have lunch at Mikes Kitchen, Parktown,” Emtee said . “We were dropped off. We walked in and as we were being ushered to our table, a white man comes and tells us to leave because we ‘smell of weed and we had too many tattoos’. Mind you, our transport has left. This ho ass nigga kicked out the yard,” Emtee said. While apartheid ended decades ago, a severe case of race inequality remains rampant in Johannesburg , with nearly 40% of Black South Africans unemployed, a much higher ratio than their white counterparts. South African leaders, however, are currently taking measures to promote equity. On April 12, 2023, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Employment Equity Amendment Bill of 2020, which enacts “equity targets” to promote equity in the business sector. Emtee sounded fed up after being denied entry from the restaurant, suggesting racism was at play as well. “Fuck Mikes Kitchen in Parktown!” Emtee said. “You are about to get served. The fuck!? Fuck y’all food! At this, you are all fucking with me and my guys for nothing. Talking about ‘I’m gonna call the police’, call them! Scary ass bitch. Say never go to Mikes Kitchen Parktown. The son of biches is racist! Yeah I said! You all gone have to kill me. Mikes kitchen in Park Town is going down!” Emtee’s legal representatives have demanded that Mike’s Kitchen issue a public apology to the star or they will proceed with legal action. Mike’s Kitchen publicist Melinda Shore told TimesLIVE , “We are handling this privately. It’s not a matter they want to handle in the media. It’s being handled and taken seriously.” Emtee responded by posting a video on Instagram of himself buying a bottle of cologne, probably referring to the Mike’s Kitchen incident. “They say I’m this, they say I’m that,” Emtee posted on Instagram. “They forgot to tell you I smell best. When you see, embrace me.” “My life isn’t easy but I woke up feeling blessed,” Emtee sings on his latest single. “Smokin’ on that zaza, tryna balance out the stress…” In the U.S. the E-Bar restaurant in Dallas, Texas also discriminates against and denies service to patrons if they smell like weed . # When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 35 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Spanish police swoop on multi-million Euro scam after brazen gang copied JF's high profile methods to lure unsuspecting victims into parting with their cash for wildly unrealistic returns from medical cannabis Read Mass Brandenburg Gate ‘Smoke In’ Heralds Part Legalization of Cannabis in Germany Adults allowed to carry 25 gms of cannabis and grow three plants at home Read King Kong Secures Rwanda’s First Medical Cannabis Export License ​ 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

Gen Z Consumes Less Alcohol, Prefers More Cannabis and Non-Alcoholic Beverages The trend’s your friend: In the US, cannabis consumption lounges are poised to benefit from Gen Z consumers who are drinking less alcohol in what has been described as a generational cultural shift. High Times 24/04/23, 06:00 This report from High Times published on 22 Aprl 2024. Entertainment hosts in Las Vegas are noticing a significant decrease in Gen Z (those born between 1997-2012) drinking alcohol. Paired with an overall increase in cannabis use by younger consumers, this shift could lead to great success for consumption lounges. Las Vegas-based promoter of Pulsar Presents, Patrick Trout, has 20 years of experience promoting local music. Trout recently spoke with Las Vegas Weekly about the trend of Gen Z drinking less alcohol. “It’s something I’ve observed since the shutdown ended, but especially in the last year,” Trout said. “I’ve seen a dramatic increase in people not drinking at shows or drinking non-alcoholic stuff, but then simultaneously also wanting to smoke more. We are really seeing a generational, cultural shift.” Trout’s observation is also reflected in a 2023 Billboard article, which cited a shift in alcohol consumption when businesses reopened after the pandemic. One Tucson, Arizona-based club manager noted that especially with shows that catered to Gen Z, alcohol sales dropped by 25%. Some researchers believe that this is partially because people pre-game, or start drinking alcohol prior to their arrival at a bar or entertainment venue, which is also a way to save money on a night out. Venue owners have attempted to switch their strategies to appeal to Gen Z attendees, such as expanding their non-alcohol options. In 2019, Global Market projected that the non-alcoholic industry could reach a value of $30 billion by next year. Psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD, told Cleveland Clinic that an increase in mental health awareness deters Gen Z from imbibing. “Alcohol is a depressant and never the answer to a bad day,” Anand said. “Gen Z seems to understand that concept and they’ve moved in a different direction.” A New Frontier Data report from 2022 shows that 69% of people between 18-24 prefer cannabis over alcohol, while the same preference is seen with 70% of those 25-34, 68% of 35-44 year olds, 55% of people 45-54, 52% of 55-64, and 44% of those 65-74. Christopher LaPorte, Vegas-based manager of Reset, a cannabis hospitality group, told Las Vegas Weekly that cannabis is becoming highly preferred over alcohol. “Everyone has the pot brownie story that was horrible. But everyone also has a lot more of ‘Oh my god, that one night with tequila,’” said LaPorte. “People are more educated now because we are out of the closet. More people know about cannabis. More cool people are very open about their cannabis-smoking habits.” Nevada’s first consumption lounge, Smoke and Mirrors, which is owned by Thrive Cannabis, opened in late February. LaPorte helped design the consumption lounge, which made him think of listening cafes in Japan and New York, some of which only offer non-alcoholic drink menus. “There was this buzz, I would say three years ago, about this new culture of non-alcoholic spirits, and we saw that there were bars actually dedicated to that. It wasn’t just an Alcoholics Anonymous kind of center. We [thought] this might be something,” said LaPorte. “We saw a lot of products like Lyre’s and Seedlip … they were starting to percolate. And, again, it was like, how can we tie this into a cannabis lounge?’” That thought culminated into Smoke and Mirrors’ non-alcoholic, THC-infused drinks, which LaPorte described as a way to “attract another market into the cannabis space.” Las Vegas Weekly was given a tour of Planet 13’s new cannabis lounge, led by Frankie Anobile, who has had an extended career as a DJ and developing Vegas nightlife entertainment, but is now Planet 13’s entertainment director. While he explained that he doesn’t expect “bong service” to replace “bottle service,” he stated that offering both services is the best way to go. Planet 13’s consumption lounge, Dazed!, opened on April 5, but the company is also planning on building a three-story, 60,000 square-foot nightclub that only serves alcohol sometime in 2025. While Nevada state law prevents cannabis businesses from selling alcohol, and vice versa, Planet 13’s nightclub plan would allow club goers to walk next door to the club after the consumption lounge closes. “You can stay all night drinking for hours; you can’t stay all night smoking. It’s a totally different culture, from what they want musically to what their stay time is,” said Anobile. “A lot of these people don’t usually like to leave their house. They’re not the ones who want to spend an hour getting ready to go out there and be seen like they’re doing an Instagram post.” Trout added that he’s excited to see how consumption lounges will alter the music scene. “One thing I’m really interested to see with the pot lounges that decide to utilize live music is seeing what the spread is, what genres they go after,” Trout said. “There’s some sub genres of metal like doom and stoner rock and desert rock where I think it would absolutely appeal to them to have a place like that where you can smoke and watch music.” According to the Nevada Independent , there are 38 more cannabis consumption lounge license holders currently working on their businesses at various stages 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

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Gen Z Consumes Less Alcohol, Prefers More Cannabis and Non-Alcoholic Beverages The trend’s your friend: In the US, cannabis consumption lounges are poised to benefit from Gen Z consumers who are drinking less alcohol in what has been described as a generational cultural shift. High Times 23 April 2024 at 06:00:00 This report from High Times published on 22 Aprl 2024. Entertainment hosts in Las Vegas are noticing a significant decrease in Gen Z (those born between 1997-2012) drinking alcohol. Paired with an overall increase in cannabis use by younger consumers, this shift could lead to great success for consumption lounges. Las Vegas-based promoter of Pulsar Presents, Patrick Trout, has 20 years of experience promoting local music. Trout recently spoke with Las Vegas Weekly about the trend of Gen Z drinking less alcohol. “It’s something I’ve observed since the shutdown ended, but especially in the last year,” Trout said. “I’ve seen a dramatic increase in people not drinking at shows or drinking non-alcoholic stuff, but then simultaneously also wanting to smoke more. We are really seeing a generational, cultural shift.” Trout’s observation is also reflected in a 2023 Billboard article, which cited a shift in alcohol consumption when businesses reopened after the pandemic. One Tucson, Arizona-based club manager noted that especially with shows that catered to Gen Z, alcohol sales dropped by 25%. Some researchers believe that this is partially because people pre-game, or start drinking alcohol prior to their arrival at a bar or entertainment venue, which is also a way to save money on a night out. Venue owners have attempted to switch their strategies to appeal to Gen Z attendees, such as expanding their non-alcohol options. In 2019, Global Market projected that the non-alcoholic industry could reach a value of $30 billion by next year. Psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD, told Cleveland Clinic that an increase in mental health awareness deters Gen Z from imbibing. “Alcohol is a depressant and never the answer to a bad day,” Anand said. “Gen Z seems to understand that concept and they’ve moved in a different direction.” A New Frontier Data report from 2022 shows that 69% of people between 18-24 prefer cannabis over alcohol, while the same preference is seen with 70% of those 25-34, 68% of 35-44 year olds, 55% of people 45-54, 52% of 55-64, and 44% of those 65-74. Christopher LaPorte, Vegas-based manager of Reset, a cannabis hospitality group, told Las Vegas Weekly that cannabis is becoming highly preferred over alcohol. “Everyone has the pot brownie story that was horrible. But everyone also has a lot more of ‘Oh my god, that one night with tequila,’” said LaPorte. “People are more educated now because we are out of the closet. More people know about cannabis. More cool people are very open about their cannabis-smoking habits.” Nevada’s first consumption lounge, Smoke and Mirrors, which is owned by Thrive Cannabis, opened in late February. LaPorte helped design the consumption lounge, which made him think of listening cafes in Japan and New York, some of which only offer non-alcoholic drink menus. “There was this buzz, I would say three years ago, about this new culture of non-alcoholic spirits, and we saw that there were bars actually dedicated to that. It wasn’t just an Alcoholics Anonymous kind of center. We [thought] this might be something,” said LaPorte. “We saw a lot of products like Lyre’s and Seedlip … they were starting to percolate. And, again, it was like, how can we tie this into a cannabis lounge?’” That thought culminated into Smoke and Mirrors’ non-alcoholic, THC-infused drinks, which LaPorte described as a way to “attract another market into the cannabis space.” Las Vegas Weekly was given a tour of Planet 13’s new cannabis lounge, led by Frankie Anobile, who has had an extended career as a DJ and developing Vegas nightlife entertainment, but is now Planet 13’s entertainment director. While he explained that he doesn’t expect “bong service” to replace “bottle service,” he stated that offering both services is the best way to go. Planet 13’s consumption lounge, Dazed!, opened on April 5, but the company is also planning on building a three-story, 60,000 square-foot nightclub that only serves alcohol sometime in 2025. While Nevada state law prevents cannabis businesses from selling alcohol, and vice versa, Planet 13’s nightclub plan would allow club goers to walk next door to the club after the consumption lounge closes. “You can stay all night drinking for hours; you can’t stay all night smoking. It’s a totally different culture, from what they want musically to what their stay time is,” said Anobile. “A lot of these people don’t usually like to leave their house. They’re not the ones who want to spend an hour getting ready to go out there and be seen like they’re doing an Instagram post.” Trout added that he’s excited to see how consumption lounges will alter the music scene. “One thing I’m really interested to see with the pot lounges that decide to utilize live music is seeing what the spread is, what genres they go after,” Trout said. “There’s some sub genres of metal like doom and stoner rock and desert rock where I think it would absolutely appeal to them to have a place like that where you can smoke and watch music.” According to the Nevada Independent , there are 38 more cannabis consumption lounge license holders currently working on their businesses at various stages When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 35 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Spanish police swoop on multi-million Euro scam after brazen gang copied JF's high profile methods to lure unsuspecting victims into parting with their cash for wildly unrealistic returns from medical cannabis Read Mass Brandenburg Gate ‘Smoke In’ Heralds Part Legalization of Cannabis in Germany Adults allowed to carry 25 gms of cannabis and grow three plants at home Read King Kong Secures Rwanda’s First Medical Cannabis Export License ​ 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 Anelisa Kubheka 24/04/23, 05:00 Westville dentist Anwar Mohamed Jeewa is facing murder charges after one of his patients succumbed at his clinic from opioid withdrawal. A subsequent police raid on the unregistered drug and alcohol treatment/detoxification facility, revealed not only ibogaine, but heroin, tik and cannabis on the premises. This report from IOL online , first published on 19 April 2024. A murder trial is underway in the Durban High Court where retired Hawks head Lieutenant-Colonel Anton Booysen gave evidence following the death of Milos Martinovic in 2017. Booysen was giving evidence as the investigating officer in the trial against dentist Anwar Mohamed Jeewa, who has been charged with the murder of Milos Martinovic. Martinovic was a Canadian and French citizen addicted to Oxycontin (an opiate) and Xanax (known as alprazolam). Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorder. Jeewa had a permit to import Tabermanthe Iboga (dry plant material) from Goban to South Africa, which he did regularly. He used the dry plant material to manufacture preparations containing ibogaine, which the State alleges he had no licence to do. In November 2017, Martinovic travelled to South Africa and on arrival at the centre, Minds Alive, he was in possession of an unknown number of OxyContini tablets and several boxes of Xanax which the State alleges Jeewa allowed him to keep. It is alleged that Jeewa instructed Martinovic to continue taking the tablets he had allowed him to keep to avoid withdrawal symptoms. It is alleged that on the night of November 7, Martinovic was given three to four separate doses of ibogaine capsules by a nurse. Ibogaine is contraindicated for the treatment of addiction to benzodiazepines. The chances of fatality are increased when benzodiazepines or opiates are taken together with other substances. The State alleges that Jeewa was aware of this. “Several items were seized including scheduled medicines and illicit drugs, those being tik, heroin and cannabis,” said Booysen. He said the centre was raided on November 17, 2017, following an application for a search warrant of the premises that the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court had granted. “Also seized were CCTV cameras at various places, including the bedrooms of the patients as well as a purple plastic file which was the patient admissions file. The medication and drugs were forwarded to the forensic science lab in Pretoria and the digital evidence was forwarded to the forensic digital laboratory. “The patient file was kept by me under lock and key pending further investigation from there on,” Booysen told the court. He said that while at the centre he was concerned when he saw a doctor’s prescription pad with signed pages. He said he saw the need to apply for a search-and-seizure warrant for Jeewa’s home, as he was concerned that he might continue treating patients and sourcing more ibogaine. On December 22, 2017, police raided Jeewa’s home and on arrival asked him if he had anything he wanted to tell them. He admitted to having ibogaine at his home. Booysen said when they asked Jeewa if he had a permit for the ibogaine, he said he did but it was at his facility and they headed there. He told the court that while on the driveway of the facility, he noticed the house next door to be derelict with no direct entrance to it. But there was a pedestrian gate from the facility to the house. Booysen said he noticed a lot of activity at the house on the morning they raided the facility. He said after verbalising his curiosity about the house next door while in the car, Jeewa said while police did not have a warrant they were welcome to search the house. Booysen told the court that Jeewa had told police that the derelict house was where he manufactured his ibogaine. The trial continues. # SOUTH AFRICAN CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Brought to you by: The Shadow Side of Rehab: Murder Charges Laid After Canadian Dies During Opioid Treatment at Durban ‘Clinic’ 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

Previous Next Sierra Leone: Voodoo Kush Addictions Spiralling; the Nation's Kids Are at Risk Home African News South African News International News All News Marketplace Business News More Ishmael Dumbuya 19 April 2024 at 09:30:00 Substance abuse in West Africa is spiralling out of control, with hybrid drugs coming onto the market that are aimed soley at creating addiction. Cannabis is the base for fentynal-laced Voodoo Kush, which is creating a social health crisis. Here we take you to the streets of Freetown for how the new drug is affecting ordinary people. An indepth look at the Voodoo Kush Crisis by the Concord Times , Freetown. At around 8:25 am, Tuesday 26th March 2024, this medium went to the Hastings Community, Western Area Rural, were youths crammed into a shack shrouded in Kush smoke. According to sources, Hastings is one the hubs where Kush is processed and mixed with highly addictive and deadly ingredients. Kush is a mysterious new zombie drug that's ravaging Sierra Leone - an epidemic described as the worst in the region. And amid fears, the crisis could destroy the youthful population - a shocking new twist: the use of ground-up human bones as one of the drug's ingredients READ: WTF! Voodoo Kush may include ground-up human bones! At Back Street, Hastings, there were scenes of young men standing and nodding, whereas their feet have swollen as if there was an emergence of Elephantiasis in the country, causing people to fall asleep while walking, fall over, bang their heads against hard surfaces and walk into moving traffic. Kush costs around five Leones per joint, which may be used by two or three people, with up to 40 joints being consumed in a day. This represents a massive spend on drugs and illustrates the addictive nature of the mixture, in a country where the annual income per capita is very minimal. The sachet costs 150 Leones, whereas the ounce is around 4 to 5 thousand New Leones. 'Blake', a dealer who refused to state his real name, explained to this medium that Kush is a mixture of fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde and now ground down human bones. According to 'Blake,' he went into Kush dealing because he couldn't secure a job and has many dependants. He however underscored that the drug is wreaking havoc in the country and killing dozens every week and many hospitalised. "If this menace continues in the next years, there will be less agile youths left in the country, and the country will graduate to a narco state," he stated. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency indicated that the drug is an amalgamation of the various chemicals and plants that mimic the natural (cannabinoid) THC found in cannabis. One of the ingredients of drug is fentanyl. Fentanyl is thought to originate in clandestine laboratories in China where the drug is manufactured illegally and shipped to West Africa. Tramadol has a similar source, across Asia. Formaldehyde, which can cause hallucinations, is also reported in this mixture. Responding to the ground human bones used, there was no definitive answer given, as to whether or not they occur in the drug, where such bones would come from, or why they might be incorporated into the drug. However, some Kush addicts present noted that grave robbers provide the bones. On Saturday 23rd September 2023, the Sierra Leone Police arrested Abdul Kamara, aka Biggie Ten, the owner of one of the biggest cartels in the city with a large amount of Kush and other dangerous drugs. According to sources, Biggie Ten is said to be one of the key chemists in the mixture of the Kush, and sells it in large quantities to other dealers in the city. According to the Inspector General of Police, Fayia Sellu, the Sierra Leone Police is working tirelessly to curb the use of dangerous drugs which is killing and destroying youths in the country, adding that whoever is caught will face the full force of the law. However, for many people, that is not the case, as people accuse the government of involvement in the trade, and using selective justice to hunt Kush barons in the country. With some even pointing fingers at the sister of President Bio, Admire Bio, as being the key importer of the drug. Allegations she denies. According to expert, the Sulphur content of the bones causes toxicity. Another reason might be the drug content of the bones themselves, if the deceased was a fentanyl or tramadol user. However, both are unlikely. Sulphur levels in bones are not high. Smoking Sulphur would result in highly toxic Sulphur dioxide being produced and inhaled. In the Waterloo Community, this medium interviewed addicts, and dealers at Tombo Junction where drivers have now resorted to the drug intake and have abandoned their profession. Christian Smith, a professional driver, who has now abandoned his driving and have delved into Kush intake, explained that he never intended to smoke the drug. He said his friends lured him into smoking the drug and since then everything around his physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being has drastically changed. With tears rolling down his cheek, Christian said his wife and children have now deserted him and wished him dead. Karim Turay aka Razor sells Kush in Waterloo. He told this medium that he went into the Kush business because he couldn't afford tuition fees so he ventured into the trade not knowing that it will have a dire effect later. He said he now wants to quit the trade but he is so addicted that he is unable. He raised his hands in the air and Prayed that God takes his mind off this disease. Two weeks ago, the Ministry Of Health and Sanitation buried 32 people who died as a result of kush smoking, and were buried in a mass grave in Freetown. These deaths sent fear in the minds of many addicts; however, the addictive part of the drug got them hooked up once again, which is a clear manifestation that the ingredients used are highly addictive and fatal. The addiction is so strong that if an addict does not have money to purchase a joint, he or she will do everything demeaning to raise 5 Leones, such as the collection of garbage, cleaning of gutters, laundering for people, fetching water and to an extent theft. The danger of the drug is twofold: the risk of self-injury to the drug taker and the highly addictive nature of the drug itself. Research conducted by the American Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), described Voodoo Kush as 'a synthetic version of tetrahydrocannabinol mixture of plant material sprayed with synthetic psychoactive chemicals similar to the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana/weed.' # ​ Sponsored by

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Sierra Leone: Voodoo Kush Addictions Spiralling; the Nation's Kids Are at Risk Substance abuse in West Africa is spiralling out of control, with hybrid drugs coming onto the market that are aimed soley at creating addiction. Cannabis is the base for fentynal-laced Voodoo Kush, which is creating a social health crisis. Here we take you to the streets of Freetown for how the new drug is affecting ordinary people. Ishmael Dumbuya 19 April 2024 at 10:00:00 An indepth look at the Voodoo Kush Crisis by the Concord Times , Freetown. At around 8:25 am, Tuesday 26th March 2024, this medium went to the Hastings Community, Western Area Rural, were youths crammed into a shack shrouded in Kush smoke. According to sources, Hastings is one the hubs where Kush is processed and mixed with highly addictive and deadly ingredients. Kush is a mysterious new zombie drug that's ravaging Sierra Leone - an epidemic described as the worst in the region. And amid fears, the crisis could destroy the youthful population - a shocking new twist: the use of ground-up human bones as one of the drug's ingredients READ: WTF! Voodoo Kush may include ground-up human bones! At Back Street, Hastings, there were scenes of young men standing and nodding, whereas their feet have swollen as if there was an emergence of Elephantiasis in the country, causing people to fall asleep while walking, fall over, bang their heads against hard surfaces and walk into moving traffic. Kush costs around five Leones per joint, which may be used by two or three people, with up to 40 joints being consumed in a day. This represents a massive spend on drugs and illustrates the addictive nature of the mixture, in a country where the annual income per capita is very minimal. The sachet costs 150 Leones, whereas the ounce is around 4 to 5 thousand New Leones. 'Blake', a dealer who refused to state his real name, explained to this medium that Kush is a mixture of fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde and now ground down human bones. According to 'Blake,' he went into Kush dealing because he couldn't secure a job and has many dependants. He however underscored that the drug is wreaking havoc in the country and killing dozens every week and many hospitalised. "If this menace continues in the next years, there will be less agile youths left in the country, and the country will graduate to a narco state," he stated. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency indicated that the drug is an amalgamation of the various chemicals and plants that mimic the natural (cannabinoid) THC found in cannabis. One of the ingredients of drug is fentanyl. Fentanyl is thought to originate in clandestine laboratories in China where the drug is manufactured illegally and shipped to West Africa. Tramadol has a similar source, across Asia. Formaldehyde, which can cause hallucinations, is also reported in this mixture. Responding to the ground human bones used, there was no definitive answer given, as to whether or not they occur in the drug, where such bones would come from, or why they might be incorporated into the drug. However, some Kush addicts present noted that grave robbers provide the bones. On Saturday 23rd September 2023, the Sierra Leone Police arrested Abdul Kamara, aka Biggie Ten, the owner of one of the biggest cartels in the city with a large amount of Kush and other dangerous drugs. According to sources, Biggie Ten is said to be one of the key chemists in the mixture of the Kush, and sells it in large quantities to other dealers in the city. According to the Inspector General of Police, Fayia Sellu, the Sierra Leone Police is working tirelessly to curb the use of dangerous drugs which is killing and destroying youths in the country, adding that whoever is caught will face the full force of the law. However, for many people, that is not the case, as people accuse the government of involvement in the trade, and using selective justice to hunt Kush barons in the country. With some even pointing fingers at the sister of President Bio, Admire Bio, as being the key importer of the drug. Allegations she denies. According to expert, the Sulphur content of the bones causes toxicity. Another reason might be the drug content of the bones themselves, if the deceased was a fentanyl or tramadol user. However, both are unlikely. Sulphur levels in bones are not high. Smoking Sulphur would result in highly toxic Sulphur dioxide being produced and inhaled. In the Waterloo Community, this medium interviewed addicts, and dealers at Tombo Junction where drivers have now resorted to the drug intake and have abandoned their profession. Christian Smith, a professional driver, who has now abandoned his driving and have delved into Kush intake, explained that he never intended to smoke the drug. He said his friends lured him into smoking the drug and since then everything around his physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being has drastically changed. With tears rolling down his cheek, Christian said his wife and children have now deserted him and wished him dead. Karim Turay aka Razor sells Kush in Waterloo. He told this medium that he went into the Kush business because he couldn't afford tuition fees so he ventured into the trade not knowing that it will have a dire effect later. He said he now wants to quit the trade but he is so addicted that he is unable. He raised his hands in the air and Prayed that God takes his mind off this disease. Two weeks ago, the Ministry Of Health and Sanitation buried 32 people who died as a result of kush smoking, and were buried in a mass grave in Freetown. These deaths sent fear in the minds of many addicts; however, the addictive part of the drug got them hooked up once again, which is a clear manifestation that the ingredients used are highly addictive and fatal. The addiction is so strong that if an addict does not have money to purchase a joint, he or she will do everything demeaning to raise 5 Leones, such as the collection of garbage, cleaning of gutters, laundering for people, fetching water and to an extent theft. The danger of the drug is twofold: the risk of self-injury to the drug taker and the highly addictive nature of the drug itself. Research conducted by the American Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), described Voodoo Kush as 'a synthetic version of tetrahydrocannabinol mixture of plant material sprayed with synthetic psychoactive chemicals similar to the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana/weed.' # When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 35 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Spanish police swoop on multi-million Euro scam after brazen gang copied JF's high profile methods to lure unsuspecting victims into parting with their cash for wildly unrealistic returns from medical cannabis Read Mass Brandenburg Gate ‘Smoke In’ Heralds Part Legalization of Cannabis in Germany Adults allowed to carry 25 gms of cannabis and grow three plants at home Read King Kong Secures Rwanda’s First Medical Cannabis Export License ​ 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 Marketing: Has 420 Day Become a Victim of its Own Success? For decades April 20 has been a day to celebrate cannabis culture. But 4/20-related marketing may have become a victim of its own success as the meaning of the day as lost its initial mystique. Marc Iskowitz 24/04/19, 08:00 This report by Medical Marketing and Media publised on 18 April 2024. Companies in the cannabis space have leveraged 4/20 as an event to connect with consumers and destigmatize a plant that has historically been in the shadows. But as recognition has grown and access to cannabis has become more ubiquitous, some are starting to question the purpose of 4/20-related marketing. These days, those in the business say, their approach to 4/20 isn’t so much about demystifying the world of pot as it is promoting something which many people already consider mainstream. “420 marketing has evolved as the industry has evolved, notably so over the last decade,” observed Lisa Buffo, founder and CEO of the Cannabis Marketing Association (CMA). “Festivities have become more out in the open and accepted, with festivals and events popping up around the world.” Over the years, the cannabis-related events calendar has welcomed many a new holiday — 7/10 (National Oil Day) and 820 (National Drink Cannabis Day), among others. Yet 4/20, or National Weed Day, is still by far the largest cannabis sales day of the year by volume, according to Headset.io , a provider of cannabis market data. That makes it the granddaddy of all celebratory days for this community. While brands outside the industry capitalize on the attention to run clever, funny and sometimes innovative campaigns — consider sandwich chain Jimmy John’s Deliciously Dope Dime Bag , for one — cannabis entrepreneurs are intent on seizing the moment in more strategic ways. Online sales spike “Folks really do gear up and have big 4/20 celebrations,” said Adam Terry, CEO and co-founder of cannabis beverage firm Cantrip, whose line of CBD- and THC-infused beverages is sold in dispensaries and liquor stores in the state and online. He added that the only day his company’s online store performed better than it did on 4/20/23 was Black Friday. The Massachusetts-based company, which incorporated in 2020, started with low-dose seltzers made from marijuana as a way to attract new people into the category. Terry said he still views cannabis neophytes as his primary customer. Cantrip’s 420 marketing tends to focus on sales-driven efforts and in-store events at mainstream retailers. A tough go Outside of beverages, live tastings can be a “bit of a gray area” in terms of compliance, according to David Craig, CMO of Kansas City, MO-based Illicit Gardens. Craig said he focuses instead on digital marketing. That includes SEO along with AI to identify audiences that have performed certain actions that trigger specific ads. Last year, April 20 arrived about 10 weeks after Missouri legalized recreational pot use. “It took a couple of weeks, but people were like, ‘Oh my god, weed’s legal now,’” Craig recalled. “We were able to capitalize heavily, just riding the wave of legalization.” This year has been “a little bit tougher,” he noted, given that residents have had access to cannabis for some time. And with over 200 dispensaries in the state and hundreds of brands, competition is tight. To stand out, Illicit Gardens, which sells flower, concentrates and edibles, introduced four new strains earlier this month. The company also stages 50 to 60 pop-up events a month, during which it hands out merch like stickers and shirts (but no actual pot) as a way to help people learn about the brand. 420 certainly holds significance in terms of sales. But it’s a bright spot amidst an otherwise rough environment as the entire industry grapples with falling sales. Washington state, the second state to legalize adult-use cannabis after Colorado, reported a 6.1% year-on-year decline as of July 2023. Headset.io, which reported the figures, attributed the decline to steeper competition, sliding prices and a dip in consumer engagement. Colorado, which runs one of the most mature cannabis markets in the country, said state marijuana sales plummeted 14% last April to $131 million, down from more than $153 million in April 2022. The Denver-based Marijuana Industry Group labeled it “the worst 4/20 in five years.” Choke point Nationally, a variety of other factors are at play, including the fact that cannabis is illegal at the federal level . This has hamstrung marketing, noted Leslie Bocskor, CEO and chairman of platform company Indoor Harvest. “4/20 is challenged by the fact that for many Americans, it still references a criminal activity. And that has not changed enough,” said Bocskor, who’s also executive chairman of consultancy Electrum Partners. Indeed, cannabis companies have had to grapple with a kind of criminal status hanging over their heads. They pay higher taxes than businesses in other sectors, have trouble operating in multiple states and can’t use the banking system to the same extent. Many normal channels for sales and advertising are similarly off-limits. “Marketing in the cannabis industry has, in my opinion, not even really begun and the reason for that is…the choke point of the federal illegality and all of the issues that are consequential from that,” Bocskor said. In addition, while the Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration have cracked down on some hemp and CBD companies, these operate under different rules and regulations than cannabis/marijuana companies. Some say regulators’ enforcement approach has also created a much lower-risk environment for black market operators. Avoiding 4/20? Others believe 4/20 is a time to shun the spotlight. “Most people that I know in the business say, ‘We are going to be very careful about marketing on 4/20,’” said Bocskor. “That’s because of issues surrounding the status of the industry.” He recommends marketers do an analysis of the effectiveness of deploying their marketing capital on or close to the holiday, versus other times of the year. “If you want to participate because you want to be part of a celebration, that’s one thing,” he explained. “But there’s so much noise on that day that it may make more sense to spend your resources at a time when you’re not going to be just one voice in hundreds yelling for attention.” In Nevada, where Bocskor is based, 4/20 marketing has been “consistent and conservative,” he continued. “We have always looked at it as something to participate in and to support — and to avoid any large expenditures around.” Victim of its own success For decades 4/20 has been a day to celebrate cannabis culture, a sentiment reflected in the marketing. But given the mainstream cultural recognition of cannabis and 4/20 alike, has the marketing become a victim of its own success? From a timing perspective, the holiday itself continues to be relevant. April 20 falls on a Saturday this year and weekends typically have a higher sales volume than weekdays. 4/20 promotions often last the entire week, not just on the day itself. “You’d think that there would start to be some sort of dip,” said Craig. “But statistically, even in Missouri, it still is the busiest shopping weekend of the year.” The timing of 4/20 is also ideal for the beverage category, Terry pointed out, as it falls between St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Day weekend. That said, festivities aren’t necessarily the big draw they once were. Consider the 4/20 festival that took place in 2014 in Denver. “Then it was a big deal,” Bocskor recalled. He remembers being at the High Times Cannabis Cup celebration, the first such rally in the Mile High City after Colorado greenlit retail marijuana sale: “Literally at 4:20 on 4/20, it was like a cloud above the crowd.” Nor does Bocskor see much marketing these days that impresses him. Other than some philanthropic marketing , it’s mostly the aforementioned sales-y pitches that proliferate. “The voices are all pretty much the same,” Bocsker said. “The people that I know say, ‘Was that Green Brothers or Emerald Forest? Same thing, either place, go to whoever has the cheapest price.’” But Terry posits that 4/20 belongs in a separate, more enduring category of marketing. “Things like holiday marketing have cumulative effects over the years,” he explained. “I don’t think they rise and fall with the popularity of the concept.” With national cannabis sales on 4/20 itself trending upward, it’s a good bet that businesses will continue to use the holiday as a promotional vehicle. “I think 4/20 is going to stick around. It’s one of the few things that most people attribute to cannabis,” Terry said. “It’s essentially going to be the St. Patrick’s Day of weed forevermore.” # 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

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Cannabis Marketing: Has 420 Day Become a Victim of its Own Success? For decades April 20 has been a day to celebrate cannabis culture. But 4/20-related marketing may have become a victim of its own success as the meaning of the day as lost its initial mystique. Marc Iskowitz 19 April 2024 at 08:00:00 This report by Medical Marketing and Media publised on 18 April 2024. Companies in the cannabis space have leveraged 4/20 as an event to connect with consumers and destigmatize a plant that has historically been in the shadows. But as recognition has grown and access to cannabis has become more ubiquitous, some are starting to question the purpose of 4/20-related marketing. These days, those in the business say, their approach to 4/20 isn’t so much about demystifying the world of pot as it is promoting something which many people already consider mainstream. “420 marketing has evolved as the industry has evolved, notably so over the last decade,” observed Lisa Buffo, founder and CEO of the Cannabis Marketing Association (CMA). “Festivities have become more out in the open and accepted, with festivals and events popping up around the world.” Over the years, the cannabis-related events calendar has welcomed many a new holiday — 7/10 (National Oil Day) and 820 (National Drink Cannabis Day), among others. Yet 4/20, or National Weed Day, is still by far the largest cannabis sales day of the year by volume, according to Headset.io , a provider of cannabis market data. That makes it the granddaddy of all celebratory days for this community. While brands outside the industry capitalize on the attention to run clever, funny and sometimes innovative campaigns — consider sandwich chain Jimmy John’s Deliciously Dope Dime Bag , for one — cannabis entrepreneurs are intent on seizing the moment in more strategic ways. Online sales spike “Folks really do gear up and have big 4/20 celebrations,” said Adam Terry, CEO and co-founder of cannabis beverage firm Cantrip, whose line of CBD- and THC-infused beverages is sold in dispensaries and liquor stores in the state and online. He added that the only day his company’s online store performed better than it did on 4/20/23 was Black Friday. The Massachusetts-based company, which incorporated in 2020, started with low-dose seltzers made from marijuana as a way to attract new people into the category. Terry said he still views cannabis neophytes as his primary customer. Cantrip’s 420 marketing tends to focus on sales-driven efforts and in-store events at mainstream retailers. A tough go Outside of beverages, live tastings can be a “bit of a gray area” in terms of compliance, according to David Craig, CMO of Kansas City, MO-based Illicit Gardens. Craig said he focuses instead on digital marketing. That includes SEO along with AI to identify audiences that have performed certain actions that trigger specific ads. Last year, April 20 arrived about 10 weeks after Missouri legalized recreational pot use. “It took a couple of weeks, but people were like, ‘Oh my god, weed’s legal now,’” Craig recalled. “We were able to capitalize heavily, just riding the wave of legalization.” This year has been “a little bit tougher,” he noted, given that residents have had access to cannabis for some time. And with over 200 dispensaries in the state and hundreds of brands, competition is tight. To stand out, Illicit Gardens, which sells flower, concentrates and edibles, introduced four new strains earlier this month. The company also stages 50 to 60 pop-up events a month, during which it hands out merch like stickers and shirts (but no actual pot) as a way to help people learn about the brand. 420 certainly holds significance in terms of sales. But it’s a bright spot amidst an otherwise rough environment as the entire industry grapples with falling sales. Washington state, the second state to legalize adult-use cannabis after Colorado, reported a 6.1% year-on-year decline as of July 2023. Headset.io, which reported the figures, attributed the decline to steeper competition, sliding prices and a dip in consumer engagement. Colorado, which runs one of the most mature cannabis markets in the country, said state marijuana sales plummeted 14% last April to $131 million, down from more than $153 million in April 2022. The Denver-based Marijuana Industry Group labeled it “the worst 4/20 in five years.” Choke point Nationally, a variety of other factors are at play, including the fact that cannabis is illegal at the federal level . This has hamstrung marketing, noted Leslie Bocskor, CEO and chairman of platform company Indoor Harvest. “4/20 is challenged by the fact that for many Americans, it still references a criminal activity. And that has not changed enough,” said Bocskor, who’s also executive chairman of consultancy Electrum Partners. Indeed, cannabis companies have had to grapple with a kind of criminal status hanging over their heads. They pay higher taxes than businesses in other sectors, have trouble operating in multiple states and can’t use the banking system to the same extent. Many normal channels for sales and advertising are similarly off-limits. “Marketing in the cannabis industry has, in my opinion, not even really begun and the reason for that is…the choke point of the federal illegality and all of the issues that are consequential from that,” Bocskor said. In addition, while the Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration have cracked down on some hemp and CBD companies, these operate under different rules and regulations than cannabis/marijuana companies. Some say regulators’ enforcement approach has also created a much lower-risk environment for black market operators. Avoiding 4/20? Others believe 4/20 is a time to shun the spotlight. “Most people that I know in the business say, ‘We are going to be very careful about marketing on 4/20,’” said Bocskor. “That’s because of issues surrounding the status of the industry.” He recommends marketers do an analysis of the effectiveness of deploying their marketing capital on or close to the holiday, versus other times of the year. “If you want to participate because you want to be part of a celebration, that’s one thing,” he explained. “But there’s so much noise on that day that it may make more sense to spend your resources at a time when you’re not going to be just one voice in hundreds yelling for attention.” In Nevada, where Bocskor is based, 4/20 marketing has been “consistent and conservative,” he continued. “We have always looked at it as something to participate in and to support — and to avoid any large expenditures around.” Victim of its own success For decades 4/20 has been a day to celebrate cannabis culture, a sentiment reflected in the marketing. But given the mainstream cultural recognition of cannabis and 4/20 alike, has the marketing become a victim of its own success? From a timing perspective, the holiday itself continues to be relevant. April 20 falls on a Saturday this year and weekends typically have a higher sales volume than weekdays. 4/20 promotions often last the entire week, not just on the day itself. “You’d think that there would start to be some sort of dip,” said Craig. “But statistically, even in Missouri, it still is the busiest shopping weekend of the year.” The timing of 4/20 is also ideal for the beverage category, Terry pointed out, as it falls between St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Day weekend. That said, festivities aren’t necessarily the big draw they once were. Consider the 4/20 festival that took place in 2014 in Denver. “Then it was a big deal,” Bocskor recalled. He remembers being at the High Times Cannabis Cup celebration, the first such rally in the Mile High City after Colorado greenlit retail marijuana sale: “Literally at 4:20 on 4/20, it was like a cloud above the crowd.” Nor does Bocskor see much marketing these days that impresses him. Other than some philanthropic marketing , it’s mostly the aforementioned sales-y pitches that proliferate. “The voices are all pretty much the same,” Bocsker said. “The people that I know say, ‘Was that Green Brothers or Emerald Forest? Same thing, either place, go to whoever has the cheapest price.’” But Terry posits that 4/20 belongs in a separate, more enduring category of marketing. “Things like holiday marketing have cumulative effects over the years,” he explained. “I don’t think they rise and fall with the popularity of the concept.” With national cannabis sales on 4/20 itself trending upward, it’s a good bet that businesses will continue to use the holiday as a promotional vehicle. “I think 4/20 is going to stick around. It’s one of the few things that most people attribute to cannabis,” Terry said. “It’s essentially going to be the St. Patrick’s Day of weed forevermore.” # When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 35 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Spanish police swoop on multi-million Euro scam after brazen gang copied JF's high profile methods to lure unsuspecting victims into parting with their cash for wildly unrealistic returns from medical cannabis Read Mass Brandenburg Gate ‘Smoke In’ Heralds Part Legalization of Cannabis in Germany Adults allowed to carry 25 gms of cannabis and grow three plants at home Read King Kong Secures Rwanda’s First Medical Cannabis Export License ​ 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

Chancellor Scholz Assures Chinese Students That Smoking Cannabis in Germany is NOT Compulsory A Chinese student aired his anxieties about studying in Germany during an interaction with the visiting Chancellor, saying he feared he was going to be forced to smoke cannabis. 'Nein', said Scholz, who then came up with an eyebrow-raiser: that legalization was aimed at getting fewer people taking cannabis Andreas Rinke 24/04/19, 07:00 This report from Reuters , 17 April 2024. SHANGHAI - Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday, 15 April 2024, reassured Chinese students in Shanghai that they did not have to smoke cannabis if they studied in Germany and that Germany had legalised cannabis hoping that consumption would go down. Scholz made the comments in response to a question from a student at Tongji University, who asked whether he would have to smoke cannabis if he studied in Germany, as the drug was not legal in China. Germany passed legislation to legalise cannabis in February, allowing individuals and associations to grow and possess limited quantities of cannabis. "We don't want more people to consume cannabis, we want fewer people to consume cannabis, we want there to be more public education about it," Scholz said. "The answer is very simple: don't smoke. I'll be 66 this year and I've never smoked cannabis." The chancellor, who is on a visit to China and will meet leaders in Beijing on Tuesday, said Germany wanted to bring cannabis "out of the grey area". Some 4 million people consumed cannabis in Germany in 2022, according to health ministry data. READ: Mass Brandenburg Gate 'Smoke-In' Heralds Part Legalization in Germany # 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

CANNABIS INDUSTRY BREAKING NEWS Chancellor Scholz Assures Chinese Students That Smoking Cannabis in Germany is NOT Compulsory A Chinese student aired his anxieties about studying in Germany during an interaction with the visiting Chancellor, saying he feared he was going to be forced to smoke cannabis. 'Nein', said Scholz, who then came up with an eyebrow-raiser: that legalization was aimed at getting fewer people taking cannabis Andreas Rinke 19 April 2024 at 07:00:00 This report from Reuters , 17 April 2024. SHANGHAI - Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday, 15 April 2024, reassured Chinese students in Shanghai that they did not have to smoke cannabis if they studied in Germany and that Germany had legalised cannabis hoping that consumption would go down. Scholz made the comments in response to a question from a student at Tongji University, who asked whether he would have to smoke cannabis if he studied in Germany, as the drug was not legal in China. Germany passed legislation to legalise cannabis in February, allowing individuals and associations to grow and possess limited quantities of cannabis. "We don't want more people to consume cannabis, we want fewer people to consume cannabis, we want there to be more public education about it," Scholz said. "The answer is very simple: don't smoke. I'll be 66 this year and I've never smoked cannabis." The chancellor, who is on a visit to China and will meet leaders in Beijing on Tuesday, said Germany wanted to bring cannabis "out of the grey area". Some 4 million people consumed cannabis in Germany in 2022, according to health ministry data. READ: Mass Brandenburg Gate 'Smoke-In' Heralds Part Legalization in Germany # When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 35 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Spanish police swoop on multi-million Euro scam after brazen gang copied JF's high profile methods to lure unsuspecting victims into parting with their cash for wildly unrealistic returns from medical cannabis Read Mass Brandenburg Gate ‘Smoke In’ Heralds Part Legalization of Cannabis in Germany Adults allowed to carry 25 gms of cannabis and grow three plants at home Read King Kong Secures Rwanda’s First Medical Cannabis Export License ​ 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 When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 11 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Will cannabis investors never learn? A gang, as yet to be named, used European Expos to market their system of cannabis investment , promising profits of between 70% and 168%, according to Spanish police who have made multiple arrests Reuters News Agency 17 April 2024 at 08:00:00 This report from Reuters , published on 13 April 2024. MADRID: Spanish police said on Saturday it led an international operation to arrest a gang which allegedly defrauded 645 million euros ($686.41 million) from victims in 35 countries in a scam centred around cannabis plants for medicinal use. The gang mounted a marketing system and attended international cannabis fairs to convince victims from countries including Spain, France and Germany to invest in the system, the Spanish National Police said in a statement. It led the operation with the help of Europol and forces from Germany, France, the Dominican Republic, the United States and the United Kingdom. Nine suspects, who have not been named, were detained on suspicion of fraud in Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Italy and the Dominican Republic. "The business model offered by this organization consisted of using the capital transferred from investors to develop partnerships to finance the cultivation of cannabis plants," Silvia Garrido, Spanish police spokeswoman said. "With this system, they promised victims profits of between 70% and 168% per year, depending on the species of cannabis in which they invested." Luxury cars, hotel parties and music videos were used in an advertising campaign to promote the scheme, police said, and victims were taken to legal cannabis plantations which were involved in the scam. Police carried out raids in 2022 but did not say if any suspects have been charged with any offences. Police blocked bank accounts containing 58,600.00 euros and 116,300.00 euros in crypto currencies, and 106,000 euros in cash was recovered. Properties worth 2.6 billion euros were seized. ($1 = 0.9397 euros) (Reporting # When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 35 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Spanish police swoop on multi-million Euro scam after brazen gang copied JF's high profile methods to lure unsuspecting victims into parting with their cash for wildly unrealistic returns from medical cannabis Read Mass Brandenburg Gate ‘Smoke In’ Heralds Part Legalization of Cannabis in Germany Adults allowed to carry 25 gms of cannabis and grow three plants at home Read King Kong Secures Rwanda’s First Medical Cannabis Export License ​ 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 Small Business Development Tells Parliament Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Will Create Jobs and Empower Entrepreneurs Parliament's Small Business Portfolio Committee calls on Government to urgently implement an adult-use cannabis commercial framework as a matter of urgency Cannabiz Africa 17 April 2024 at 07:00:00 The formal cannabis industry has the potential to create up to 25,000 jobs and could be worth around R28 billion – but it still faces major hurdles in South Africa. “We need to destigmatise the use of cannabis, whether it’s for recreational, medicinal or religious purposes – the Constitutional framework allows us as adults to use it without prosecution.” This was said by the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Faiez Jacobs, who called for coherence in government to create an environment that ensures that small cannabis and hemp businesses are able to participate in the entire value chain. However, despite commitments from the government to amend stringent cannabis laws to create a thriving commercial cannabis industry in South Africa, private businesses, growers, and entrepreneurs face immense obstacles in getting their products onto the market. “Starting any business in these tough economic times is challenging, but raising investor capital is especially difficult for industries with so much red tape and confusion surrounding it,” said attorney and cannabis business consultant Danmari Duguid. But, the snail’s pace of opening up the legal market has not curbed the enthusiasm for the cannabis market in the country, with many private businesses, growers, and entrepreneurs in the cannabis sector actively working to demonstrate to the government the benefits of this plant, which they say offers limitless possibilities. Background In 2018, the Constitutional Court upheld a ruling finding that sections of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act were unconstitutional, leading the way to the decriminalisation of private cannabis use in South Africa. Back in 2021, South Africa released a National Cannabis Master Plan , outlining that the formal cannabis industry would be a game-changer for the country’s economy. According to the master plan, the formal cannabis industry has the potential to create up to 25,000 jobs and could be worth around R28 billion. Legislation as it stands Currently, the only established legal commercial sectors in South Africa are medical cannabis and hemp. These each presents unique challenges for potential businesses when it comes to obtaining licences, funding and navigating the complexities of strict legislation around the plant. “Medical cannabis operations face stringent regulations and high financial and infrastructural demands, while hemp cultivation offers simpler licensing and cheaper methods, [but stringent] restrictions on THC (the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant) levels pose difficulties for farmers,” who want to find themselves on the right side of the law, said Duguid. Currently, THC is classified as a Schedule 6 drug, which requires a prescription from a medical doctor and South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) registration for dispensation by a pharmacy. CBD, another component of the plant that is not psychoactive, can be prescribed as Schedule 4 or obtained over the counter as Schedule 0 if it meets certain concentration thresholds. THC products can seen as Schedule 0 if they contain up to 0,001% THC and do not have any health claims. The recently passed Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill allows for cannabis plants, when privately cultivated or consumed by adults, to not need regulation by SAHPRA. However, it cannot be obtained through an exchange of goods. While progress has been made over the past several to open up legislation to allow for the commercial medicinal cannabis and hemp sectors, nothing has changed for the commercialisation of a major portion of the cannabis market – the recreational sector. “The absence of a legislative framework for the recreational market further complicates matters, fostering varied interpretations of the 2018 Constitutional Court Judgement, which has yet to enable a formal recreational market,” said Duguid. As a result, the black market has been “flourishing” in South Africa, she added. The private sector push There have been numerous instances showing the eagerness of South African growers and businesses to be part of building a comprehensive and competitive cannabis industry in the country. An example of this is the annual Cannabis Expo , which according to founder and event organiser Silas Howarth, “provides a platform for the industry to showcase its economic and health benefits to government and to the public.” The expo has been around since 2018 (after the Constitutional Court ruling) to promote the medicinal, agricultural, financial and lifestyle benefits of the plant by displaying hundreds of products and food stalls derived from the cannabis plant from over 150 exhibitors in all of South Africa’s major business districts. “There is so much excitement around, and interest in, the local cannabis industry because of the huge potential we have as a region for producing quality cannabis and cannabis products at an affordable price, to supply an ever-growing local and international demand,” which can greatly contribute to job creation, said Howarth. Duguid agreed with this, saying, “Regardless of the stereotypes that may surround cannabis, we cannot deny that South Africa needs to desperately create jobs and sharpen its economy.” “New industry creates the potential to do exactly that – we have to demand government takes this opportunity seriously before we are once again left behind in the global race for economic participation. Other countries are jumping on this opportunity, and so must we – before it’s too late,” concluded the expert. # When Will They Ever Learn? Investors in 35 Countries Get Burned in Medical Cannabis Scam Modelled on Juicy Fields' Brazen Marketing Spanish police swoop on multi-million Euro scam after brazen gang copied JF's high profile methods to lure unsuspecting victims into parting with their cash for wildly unrealistic returns from medical cannabis Read Mass Brandenburg Gate ‘Smoke In’ Heralds Part Legalization of Cannabis in Germany Adults allowed to carry 25 gms of cannabis and grow three plants at home Read King Kong Secures Rwanda’s First Medical Cannabis Export License ​ 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. 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