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South African News
Cannabiz Africa brings you the hottest breaking South African cannabis news right here! From crucial developments in laws and reform to socio-economic changes in the industry. Find your latest dose of breaking news right here and stay onto of the earliest developments!
SAHPRA Upgrading Systems to Deal with Surge in ‘Fake Licenses’, Bigger Regulatory Review Underway
SAHPRA says it is sourcing a barcoding system to authenticate Section 21 medical cannabis service providers. This comes amidst a surge of new businesses signing up medical cannabis patients to supply them with their ‘prescriptions’, and this is ringing the regulator’s alarm bells loudly.
PotAround’s Green Lady Takes Cannabis Marketing into the Fast Lane
Cannabis brands are usually associated with peace, calm, love and understanding. Not with high torque extreme car racing and smack-in-your-face martial arts or jumping a Motor x bike 23m into the air, but Hey! There’s no rule book in this game and the guys behind the PotAround franchise are redefining plant marketing – and it’s paying off!
Retired ConCourt Judge Cameron: War on Drugs Was the Biggest Mistake of the Century
18 June 2025 at 05:00:00
Retired Constitutional Court Judge, Edwin Cameron (pictured here) says the criminalization of drugs was one of the biggest public policy mistakes of the past 125 years. He says prohibition has created overcrowding in prisons, has come at a high social cost and provided no sustainable solutions.
Trade Minister’s Questionable Grip on Cannabis Reality Exposed in Parliament
17 June 2025 at 09:30:00
DTIC Minister Parks Tau (pictured here) seems to think there’s a moratorium on cannabis arrests and is out of touch with the reality of the fast-evolving cannabis economy. He doesn’t see the basic contradictions within the Master Plan, and everybody except Government is paying the price.
Justice Minister Failing in Her Legal Cannabis Obligations as ‘Crisis of Illegality’ Grows
17 June 2025 at 08:45:00
The Justice Department’s inability to fulfil its constitutional obligations is leading to increased lawlessness in the cannabis sector. It is 12 months behind publishing the regulations governing the Cannabis Act, has not yet removed cannabis from the Drugs Act and has failed to provide SAPS with clear guidelines on how to deal with cannabis offences. What’s going on with Minister Kubayi (pictured here)?
Tau’s Time-Frame: New Cannabis Law Must Be Passed by end February 2026
16 June 2025 at 08:30:00
Trade Minister Parks Tau (pictured here) says the Agriculture Department is working on a cannabis zoning plan to support legacy farmers and safeguard local cannabis landraces. He says at the same time the DTIC is working on an overall cannabis commercialization policy which it wants to be in law in nine months time.
DTIC Minister Tau: ‘Justice Dept Must Scrap Drugs Act Before Commercialization is Put on the Table’
15 June 2025 at 11:00:00
The DTIC is waiting for the Department of Justice to scrap the Drugs Act before it can implement a commercial framework for cannabis. DTIC Minister Parks Tau has told Parliament that a draft cannabis commercialization policy is under internal discussion and will be released for comment once it is ‘finalized’.
SAHPRA Upgrading Systems to Deal with Surge in ‘Fake Licenses’, Bigger Regulatory Review Underway
14 June 2025 at 10:00:00
SAHPRA says it is sourcing a barcoding system to authenticate Section 21 medical cannabis service providers. This comes amidst a surge of new businesses signing up medical cannabis patients to supply them with their ‘prescriptions’, and this is ringing the regulator’s alarm bells loudly.
SAHPRA Warns Public Over Fake Medical Cannabis Licenses
14 June 2025 at 07:45:00
The regulator says its concerned about the increase in the use of fake SAHPRA licenses by unethical businesses as the cannabis retail ‘Grey Zone’ continues to expand rapidly. It has urged the public to be cautious when dealing with service providers as many are illegal.
Three SAPS Officers Charged for Dagga Dealing After N4 ‘Convoy Bust’
13 June 2025 at 08:45:00
Three officers from the White River Flying Squad have appeared in the Volksrust District Court to face ‘dagga dealing’ charges and have been remanded in custody. This follows their arrest on Wednesday for allegedly providing safe escort to a Toyotal Corolla packed to the brim with illicit cannabis.
PotAround’s Green Lady Takes Cannabis Marketing into the Extremely Fast Lane
11 June 2025 at 18:15:00
Cannabis brands are usually associated with peace, calm, love and understanding. Not with high torque extreme car racing and smack-in-your-face martial arts or jumping a Motor x bike 23m into the air, but Hey! There’s no rule book in this game and the guys behind the PotAround franchise are redefining plant marketing – and it’s paying off!
White River Flying Squad Officers Bust for Allegedly Escorting Multi-Million Rand Cannabis Haul
11 June 2025 at 16:30:00
SAPS collusion with the cannabis underworld came into sharp focus at 3 pm on a blisteringly cold day on the N4 highway in Mpumulanga when three policemen – in full uniform, on duty, and in a marked car - were pulled over by fellow officers for escorting a vehicle loaded with illicit cannabis!
Going Green? Trademark Experts Warn of Branding Risks
10 June 2025 at 08:30:00
Registering trademarks that rely on the word ‘Green’ are high risk because their general descriptive nature. Specialist trademark law firm Adams and Adams suggests that cannabis businesses – and others – should consider suggestive rather than descriptive terms in registering a brand.
SAHRC: Lack of Cannabis Arrest Guidelines Only Encourages SAPS to Victimize Rastas
7 June 2025 at 11:30:00
The South African Human Rights Commission is to step up its campaign to support the Rastafarian community in the face of ongoing police persecution. It says the systematic victimization of Rastas around the country is a continuing constitutional violation of their human rights.
History in the Making: South Africa and Lesotho To Set Up Cross-Border Cannabis Trade Agreement
6 June 2025 at 10:45:00
South Africa and Lesotho have taken the first concrete steps to establishing a cannabis ‘SADEC’ with trade representatives agreeing to establish a common regulatory framework. The two countries intend to standardize their cannabis guidelines and seek ways to leverage this trade agreement to take advantage of international markets.
Gauteng Cannabis Expo 2025 Unlocked Millions of Rand Across the Value Chain, The Show Moves to Cape Town Next Year
6 June 2025 at 06:45:00
The Cannabis Expo 2025 was a significant turning point for the event organizers, representing a broader maturing of the cannabis market. That’s according to CEO Silas Howarth (pictured here) who said the three-day trade show generated mass consumer excitement and millions of rands for businesses across the value chain and that Cape Town will host next year’s Expo. Here he reflects on Expo 2025 with Cannabiz Africa publisher Brett Hilton-Barber
Synergy Post the Expo: The Future is Compliance, and Retailers Are Catching on Quick
4 June 2025 at 20:00:00
Cannabis Expo headline sponsor Synergy Wellness capitalized on the exposure generated by the event, saying it had an overwhelming response from retailers and prospective patients interested in its medical cannabis services. Brett Hilton-Barber caught up with Synergy Wellness ’s CEO John Hodes (pictured here) and COO Gareth Williams to see what the event generated for them.
Cheeba’s Trenton Birch: ‘We Must Work Together, The Real Competition is in the International Market'
4 June 2025 at 19:30:00
The Cannabis Expo is a vital matrix in the South African cannabis industry and has a vital role in bringing people together. But there could have been a bit more support from South African cannabis professionals. That’s the view of Trenton Birch (pictured here), convener of the Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Industry Summit which took place alongside the Cannabis Expo last weekend.
The Capone Connection: Joining the Dots Between Dr Green and Professor Herb
4 June 2025 at 16:45:00
Ricardo Capone appears to have successfully eluded his pressing creditor issues and is alive and well and in an unknown location. The Dr Green executive abandoned his digital cannabis marketing campaign ahead of the Cannabis Expo and fled South Africa, where he had also been setting up a dodgy medical cannabis scheme under the Professor Herb brand.
Charl Botha: Cannabis Expo A Showcase for Opportunists With Little Regard to Public Safety
4 June 2025 at 13:15:00
Cannabis legal strategist Charl Botha says the Cannabis Expo has become an extension of the ‘Grey Zone’ where unregulated cannabis products are on sale without regard for consumer safety. He says the current policy vacuum has led to the Expo being a showground for opportunism.
Need Evidence of Medical Cannabis Misuse? Say Hi to Professor Herb
4 June 2025 at 06:00:00
Among the many new medical cannabis service providers entering the fray is UK-based Professor Herb, which through its local franchise, Dr Kush, is offering an online cannabis buying service. Professor Herb’s main product line is distributing CBD products in Europe, but as of April, it has started selling ‘medical’ cannabis in South Africa outside the regulatory channels.
Expo Mystery: ‘Dr Green’ Disappears with Suspicious Looking Men From His Sandton Hotel
3 June 2025 at 10:30:00
Dr Green, a flash Californian cannabis digital token marketing business, was meant to put on a big show at the Expo but the mystery disappearance of one of its senior executives effectively pulled the plug on the US company’s bid to market its new cannabis NFT. The question is: whatever happened to Ricardo Capone, and who took him away?
Cannabis Expo Showcases Product Innovation and Highlights Regulatory Vacuum
3 June 2025 at 08:00:00
The cannabis sector continues to drive market innovation despite the regulatory hurdles that continue to dog the industry. This was evident in the offering of over 100 exhibitors, who had thousands of products on display, and a general consensus that the industry is thriving and this was a great networking event charting the future.
Health Department Challenges Tobacco Industry Over Safety of Vaping
3 June 2025 at 10:00:00
The Health Department wants to impose greater restrictions on the sale of vapes, accusing the tobacco industry of misrepresenting e-cigarettes as a means of ‘harms reduction’. Vaping is getting out of hand amongst youngsters, say public health advocates, who want the Bill to put severe restrictions on how vaping products are sold and displayed.
FGFA and UCT Launch Data-Driven Police Reform Programme to Highlight Where the System is Going Wrong
28 May 2025 at 20:15:00
FGFA will be using its presence at the Cannabis Expo to raise awareness and cash for its new research project. The data-driven exercise, in partnership with UCT, hopes to provide police management with the evidence they need to reform SAPS from within to stop using cannabis arrests to persecute the poor
In the Game? In Gauteng? You’d be Crazy to Miss the 2025 Cannabis Expo This Weekend
28 May 2025 at 13:45:00
The Sandton Convention Centre will become the cannabis capital of Africa this weekend as thousands of people are expected to visit the long-awaited Cannabis Expo 2025, presented by Synergy Wellness.
Cannabis Act Signed Off One Year Ago. Today, Nowhere to be Seen
28 May 2025 at 10:00:00
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed off on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act a year ago, but the law has not yet been enacted into law. This is now SEVEN years since the Constitutional Court instructed Government to come up with a law regulating the private use of cannabis by adults.
Here in the Wild West, Nature Abhors a Vacuum
28 May 2025 at 11:00:00
The cannabis retail ‘grey zone’ is the anomaly in Government’s cannabis reform programme. In the absence of domestic market regulations, this sector has exploded into a whole new consumer segment of its own, generating billions of rand. That’s all well and good for consumers, says Silverleaf Investments Director Darryl Weisz, but legitimate investors continue to be penalized by officialdom’s inability to come up with rules for the game.
The Matekwane Sandbox Aims to Empower North West Cannabis Communities
27 May 2025 at 12:45:00
North-West University (NWU) has unveiled its innovative Matekwane Sandbox, a “transformative research and development hub” aimed at integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into the legal cannabis industry. University cannabis researcher, Dr Thandeka Kunene (pictured here), says this is a significant milestone in ensuring people are able to access opportunities in the commercialization of cannabis.
Compliant Players Feel the Pain as Losses Rack Up in the Absence of Regulations’
27 May 2025 at 11:00:00
Government promises have cost private cannabis stakeholders billions of rand, left traditional growers in the lurch, and have created a regulatory vacuum which is penalising legitimate businesses. Cannabis legal activist Charl Botha says it’s time a multi-stakeholder cannabis task team to was set up to get a new overarching cannabis law on the books in 2026.
Mpumalanga Govt Says it Wants to Support Small-Scale Cannabis Businesses
25 May 2025 at 08:00:00
Mpumulanga’s Agriculture and Small Business Development departments are actively seeking to fund ‘sustainable’ cannabis businesses with a focus on grassroots entreprenuers. This emerged at the recent Cannabis Symposium held near Mbombela earlier this month.
CBD Use Should Not Register Positive in Workplace Drug Tests, But THC is a Different Story
24 May 2025 at 15:30:00
Just because cannabis can be consumed legally in the privacy of your home doesn’t mean you can come to work stoned. That’s the view of substance testing equipment producer Rhys Evans, who says employers and employees need to understand how the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act affects the workplace.
Deputy President Tells French Trade Conference that SA is Developing an “Investor-Friendly Cannabis Framework”
22 May 2025 at 13:00:00
The Presidency has activated its resources to try and attract international investors for South Africa’s struggling cannabis and hemp sector. Deputy President Paul Mashatile (pictured here) has told a high level trade conference in Paris that South Africa is developing an ‘investor-friendly cannabis framework’ that warrants their attention.
DTIC: ‘Setting Up a Commercial Cannabis Framework is Our Priority!’
21 May 2025 at 16:45:00
The DTIC is rebooting the Cannabis Master Plan telling key stakeholders that it’s priority is to commercialize cannabis. The Department wants to fast-track changes in the law to allow this and open up the channels of communication within government departments.
TCC’s Herman van Der Watt: ‘Legalize Private Cannabis Clubs Already, the Model is There!’
21 May 2025 at 10:45:00
The co-founder of one of South Africa’s oldest private cannabis clubs, The CannaClub, has called on the Government to urgently introduce a clear legal framework under which cannabis social clubs can operate. The TCC’s Herman van der Watt says the private club movement can play an important role in social development as well as provide a safe environment for consumers, if only Government would let it.
Charl Botha: Our Constitution Upholds the Right to Free Trade, This Should Apply to Cannabis As Well
19 May 2025 at 11:45:00
Section 22 of the Constitution upholds the right to free trade. Cannabis has been freely traded in southern Africa for hundreds of years. Legal activist Charl Botha of H3 Legal Solutions says there are seven Government departments who have it within their power to enable this trade. This is what he suggests they do.
Okhahlamba Hopes Planned ‘Shared Cannabis Processing Facility’ Will Create Jobs as KZN Now Has Highest Unemployment Rate in SA
16 May 2025 at 08:00:00
Okhahlamba (Bergville) Municipality in the Kwazulu Natal Drakensberg his pinning its hopes to bring down crippling unemployment in the area with the development of a cannabis processing facility. The pilot project is being funded by the province but the Municipality hopes to raise an additional R10 million to bring it to fruition.
Synergy to Give Away a Million Rands Worth of Medibles at the Cannabis Expo!
14 May 2025 at 19:15:00
Synergy Wellness will be celebrating its fifth birthday at the Cannabis Expo and spreading the joy with a mass hand out of its new 'medibles' range. Sponsorship of the Expo is a milestone for the group which is now one of the largest medical cannabis distribution networks in the world, with a network of over 250 outlets and a healthy flow of product to market.
Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit at the Expo: Major Networking Event Comes at Key Moment in Cannabis Reform
14 May 2025 at 19:15:00
South Africa’s premier cannabis industry networking event will be held alongside the Cannabis Expo taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 30 and 31 May 2025. The Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Industry Summit will bring together cannabis and hemp sector leaders with senior advisor Garth Strachan (pictured above) delivering the keynote address.
The CannaClub : South Africa’s Oldest Private Cannabis Club 10 Years On and Still Going Strong!
14 May 2025 at 17:30:00
The CannaClub (TCC) is South Africa’s oldest private cannabis club and had its roots in an informal cannabis ‘stokvel’ in the Western Cape’s Garden Route founded by Herman and Heidi van der Watt way back in 2015. Since then they’ve turned that vision into a leading ‘best business practice' not-for-profit organization with over 4 000 members and firm ties with local legacy cannabis communities and officialdom.
Postcard from Berlin: SA Viewed as a ‘Sleeping Giant’ on the Cusp of Something Significant says Nexus' Johann Slabber
14 May 2025 at 13:00:00
Nexus Pharma’s Johann Slabber (pictured here) was at the International Cannabis Conference in Berlin at the end of April and sent us his key take-outs on Europe’s biggest annual cannabis indaba. In the old days, he says, compliance with international standards was a differentiator for South African exporters. Nowdays, it’s a prerequisite if the country is to realise its potential as a world player.
‘Crisis of Illegality’ Getting Worse: Grey Zone Sees More Cops on the Take and Consumers Increasingly Vulnerable
11 May 2025 at 10:30:00
Government’s lack of regulations for South Africa’s cannabis sector is perpetuating a ‘crisis of illegality’ that is spinning out of control. The unregulated explosion of the retail ‘grey zone’ has led to mass corruption in the police, employee abuse and lack of consumer protection and a critical intervention is urgently required.
One Year On: Why is the Cannabis Act Still Gathering Dust in the Legislative Parking Bay?
11 May 2025 at 09:30:00
Two stakeholder organizations have asked the Justice Department why it's taking so long to publish the draft regulations that would allow the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 2024 to finally come into law.
Health Minister Says Public Consultations on Regulations for Cannabis and Foodstuffs 'Coming Soon’
11 May 2025 at 09:00:00
The Health Ministry’s draft regulations around cannabis and foodstuffs will be put out for public comment ‘soon’. That’s according to Minister Aaron Motsoaledi who has yet to explain to stakeholders why he chose a to ban substances that were already illegal and in the process wreaked havoc on the hemp industry.
Unapologetic Health Minister Won’t Acknowledge Damage Done by Cannabis Foodstuff Ban, Which He Says Was “To Protect Children”
11 May 2025 at 07:30:00
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi (pictured here) says he didn’t seek public comment on his shock cannabis in foodstuffs ban because legally he didn’t have to. Answering a question in the National Assembly, the Minister said the ban was issued as a prohibition notice which meant he could take an executive decision without consultation, and he did so to protect youngsters from harm.
CASP Cannabis Funding: Forget About Applying if You’re White and Afrikaans But it's OK if You're Chinese
10 May 2025 at 18:45:00
If you’re Chinese and holding South African citizenship you may qualify for cannabis funding under the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, but forget about it if you’re white and Afrikaans. That’s according to the eligibility criteria for grants from the controversial state funding entity.
Govt-Funded Silver Tree Cannabis Project: No Training, No SAHPRA License and BTW the Director Used to Work for the Land Bank
10 May 2025 at 13:30:00
Silver Tree cannabis farm's director is a former Land Bank manager specialising in BEE transactions who conceptualized his cannabis ‘vision’ during his last year at the Bank in 2019. Simphiwe Yako is the man behind Silver Tree which is accused of misappropriating R20 million in government funding for cannabis training.
Essential Reading: Current Cannabis Regulations in South Africa 2025
9 May 2025 at 09:45:00
The global CBD industry continues to grow rapidly, and South Africa has positioned itself as one of the most progressive CBD markets in Africa. While CBD products are legally available to consumers, there is still a degree of uncertainty around the regulations—especially concerning dosage limits, THC content, and product categories.
CASP: The Rot at the Core of Government’s Plans to Fund Cannabis Training
7 May 2025 at 16:45:00
It beggars belief that the state entity involved in funding the fraudulent Gupta-linked Free State dairy scheme, is now disbursing cannabis funding on behalf of the Agriculture Department. But, yup, it’s true, and there should be no surprise that the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme is behind the missing R20 million earmarked for West Rand cannabis training
The Tier-Drop Solution: Here’s How to Rein In the Cannabis Cowboys and Regulate the ‘Grey Zone’
5 May 2025 at 09:30:00
South Arica is in urgent need of a cannabis retail licensing system as the so-called ‘grey zone’ expands beyond regulatory reach. Charl Botha of H3 Legal Solutions has put forward a cannabis retail model that could address the absurdity of a system that criminalizes legitimate entrepreneurs and mainstreams drug dealers - and all the while emasculating officialdom.
Cheeba’s Trenton Birch: R20 million Govt Cannabis Training Shambles is ‘Sadly, Typical’
4 May 2025 at 16:45:00
The founder and CEO of South Africa’s leading cannabis skills and training academy says he’s not surprised that Gauteng Government has mismanaged a West Rand training scheme in which R20 million appears to have been misappropriated. Cheeba Africa’s Trenton Birch says this is a “sadly, typical government project”.
Agriculture Dept Says It’s Ready to Roll-Out its New Hemp Support Programme Across the Country
4 May 2025 at 08:45:00
The Agriculture Department says it’s to embark on a nationwide ‘multiplication drive’ for the two local hemp varietals it has registered, and will provide permit holders with training and support with the assistance of the Agricultural Research Council.
Govt Quietly Overhauls Hemp Regulations in a Major Way, Confirms THC Limit Will Be Raised to 2%
3 May 2025 at 17:00:00
Government has quietly overhauled its hemp farming regulations, confirming the lift in THC limits to 2%, dropping fencing requirements and size restrictions and getting the police out of the picture. This has emerged from a written response by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to a question in Parliament on the National Cannabis Master Plan.
DA Accuses Gauteng Govt of Blowing R20 Million on West Rand Cannabis Project ‘That Has Nothing To Show For It’
2 May 2025 at 11:30:00
The Democratic Alliance is taking on Gauteng’s Agriculture Department for wasting money on an ill-advised cannabis project at Tarlton near Mogale City. The Silver Tree project received R20 million funding to train cannabis farmers, but the money appears to have vanished without being spent on its intended purpose.
Synergy Medibles' Robin Grobelaar: Making Plant Alchemy Work Within the Rules
30 April 2025 at 16:15:00
Robin Grobelaar (pictured here) is the man behind Synergy Medibles, the innovative business concept that has navigated the hazards of the current regulatory regime to produce SAH|PRA compliant ‘medibles. He explains to Cannabiz Africa publisher Brett Hilton-Barber how these edibles are not foodstuffs at all, but are complementary medicines in line with the regulator’s consumer safety guidelines.
Edibles Game Changer: Synergy to Launch ‘Medibles' Concept at Expo
30 April 2025 at 15:45:00
South Africa’s largest medical cannabis service provider, Synergy Wellness, has taken advantage of the whole furore over cannabis edibles to launch a new product concept – ‘medibles’. In a classic case of guerrilla marketing, Synergy has used the publicity around the recently rescinded cannabis in foodstuffs ban to bring to market a completely compliant over-the-counter cannabis edibles range with health benefits.
Cannabis Expo: Health and Wellness is Trending, Is it Replacing the Novelty of ‘Rec’?
30 April 2025 at 13:00:00
With Gauteng’s Cannabis Expo just a month away, it’s clear that there is a growing consumer interest in the health and wellness benefits of cannabis and that the novelty of unfettered access to recreational THC products is not what it used to be. Nonetheless there will be plenty of both at the Sandton Convention Centre from 30 May to 1 June 2025
Freedom Day Not: Police Harassment Worse Since Rasta Round Table in February
28 April 2025 at 07:00:00
The Human Rights Commission tried to broker a halt to cannabis arrests during its Rasta Round Table meeting between communities and SAPS in February this year. SAPS played hardball then, and still are – the harassment of Rastafarians around the country is getting worse.
If Govt Taxed the ‘Grey Zone’, There’d Be No VAT Increase Debate
28 April 2025 at 06:30:00
A cannabis 'sin tax' could conceivably remove or reduce the perceived need to raise VAT by 0.5 percentage points. That’s the view of the Daily Maverick’s Ed Stoddard, who says that cannabis remains the missing link in Treasury’s arsenal of taxes.
Standard Bank Interested in Financing the ‘Organic Products’ Sector, Cannabis Just Happens to be Part of That!
27 April 2025 at 10:00:00
Mainstream banks are beginning to nibble at the prospect of financing cannabis businesses as calls mount for the Government to remove the obstacles to funding this sector. Standard Bank is seeking more to business in the ‘organic’ market as a way of tip-toeing into the cannabis space.
420 Day Used to Raise Anti-Drug Awareness at Schools and Churches
23 April 2025 at 16:00:00
An anti-drug agency has used 420 Day to push back against the “rising normalization of cannabis use among teens. World Changers Candidate (WCC) says South Africa is facing a ‘generational emergency’ in drug use in young people and has teamed up with Elspark Hoerskool to push back against cannabis use by kids.
Cannabis Policy Paralysis is Scaring Off Investors and Eroding Consumer Trust
23 April 2025 at 13:30:00
The government’s inability to craft a meaningful framework for the development of a domestic cannabis industry is keeping investors away and eroding consumer trust. That’s the view of the former CE of the Tobacco Institute of SA, who says authorities urgently need to develop an integrated strategy for the industry to keep cannabis reform afloat.
E Cape Looks to ‘Blended’ Finance Model to ‘Derisk’ Legacy Cannabis Growers
23 April 2025 at 10:15:00
The Eastern Cape’s business model for supporting legacy growers is taking shape under the Agri-Blended Finance Scheme, which it has introduced as a general agricultural support mechanism in Mpondoland and other rural areas. Cannabis growers were among the 30 beneficiaries who received over R50 million from the first phase of a pilot project.
Five Red Flags That Should Alert Cannabis Investors to Scams
22 April 2025 at 13:00:00
Despite the lack of guiding regulations, the South African cannabis retail sector is booming – and attracting millions of rands of investment. Investors have climbed into the ‘grey zone’, despite the sale of cannabis being illegal – and many have been taken for a ride. If you’re looking to invest in any cannabis business, these are the five red flags you should look out for.
Tangled Webb of Woe: Detectives After Gauteng Cannabis Scam Artist for Skimming Investors
22 April 2025 at 11:30:00
A disgruntled investor has hired a private security company to try and track down 34 year old Christopher Webb, the man alleged to have scammed hundreds of thousands of rands off many people in a fake cannabis scheme involving South African farmers.
Half-Baked: Prospective Private Club Partnership Falls Apart in Crypto Fundraising Muddle
22 April 2025 at 10:15:00
Iconic Cape Town private cannabis club Baked has to repay a prospective partner R5,7 million after disagreement over a promised crypto-currency fund-raising deal that never materialized. Baked’s appeal against having to repay the funds has been dismissed by the Western Cape High Court.
Medigrow Investors Pause Funding for Eastern Cape Cannabis Project Because of Hemp Foodstuff Ban
16 April 2025 at 10:30:00
Medigrow’s international investors have pressed the pause button on further investment in the company’s R1 billion Eastern Cape cannabis project because of the lack of clarity over South Africa’s hemp policy. The company has been caught up in the aftermath of the now-rescinded hemp foodstuff ban and has halted operations while ‘sensitive negotiations’ are underway to seek resolution.
Major International Cannabis Conference Coming to SA: Overcoming Barriers and Developing Standards
16 April 2025 at 10:30:00
A major international conference on ‘Barriers to Entry’ in the cannabis industry is to take place in South Africa next month. The ASTM conference will also look at refining international standards on cannabis food and beverages. Deadline for registration is next week.
CSIR tells President: All our Cannabis Foodstuff Products Have Always Been Legal
14 April 2025 at 09:45:00
The CSIR says it has incubated scores of small businesses to process and trade in cannabis-related foodstuffs and all have been within the guidelines laid down by SAHPRA and the Department of Agriculture. This emerged during the President’s tour of the CSIR’s cannabis research unit last week - which had its lighter moments!
Synergy’s Hodes: There’s No Regulatory Uncertainty Around Medical Cannabis and the Market is Growing
9 April 2025 at 20:00:00
Fast-growing Synergy Wellness is the headline sponsor for this year’s Cannabis Expo and will be using the event as a major drive to make people aware of the medical benefits of cannabis. Synergy director Jon Hodes (pictured here) believes health and wellness will be one of the most sustainable sectors of the new cannabis market and has structured the company’s business plan around this.
Main Networking Event of the Year: Cheeba Africa’s Industry Summit at Cannabis Expo
9 April 2025 at 18:30:00
Cheeba Africa has announced it will hold a two day ‘Cannabis and Hemp Summit’ at the Cannabis Expo to bring stakeholders together to network, upskill and develop their business concepts. It will also provide a forum for the industry to discuss how best to deal with Government in the imminent ‘stakeholder discussons’ on cannabis policy.
Cannabis Expo’s Howarth: ‘We’re Building the Highway Even if the Road Signs Aren’t Up Yet’
9 April 2025 at 13:30:00
This year’s Cannabis Expo comes at a crucial time for the cannabis industry as the ‘grey zone’ consumer market explodes and Government says its ‘really willing’ to engage stakeholders on policy. It’s also been a tough time for players wanting to be legitimate, but that could all be changing. Expo CEO Silas Howarth (pictured here) shares his thoughts on putting together Africa’s biggest cannabis event and where the market is at.
Cannabis Expo Signs Up Synergy as Headline Sponsor, Gets Ready to Rock Sandton at the End of May
9 April 2025 at 13:15:00
Africa’s grandest cannabis show comes to town next month in the form of the Cannabis Expo. The three day celebration of cannabis culture and essential business networking will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 30 May to 1 June 2025. Thousands of people are expected to attend the Expo which will also see a ‘summit’ of industry stakeholders take place to discuss how to push cannabis reform forward.
Medical Research Council: Standardize THC Dosage Limits and Labelling Guidelines
8 April 2025 at 13:30:00
The SAMRC has called for standardized dosage regulations for THC edible products and appropriate labelling guidelines. It says legalization of cannabis carries risks for youngsters and with edibles consumption on the rise, authorities need to be increasingly conscious of consumer safety.
Khopotse: Now Ban is Behind Us, Let’s Use Hemp Foods to Tackle Malnutrition
8 April 2025 at 09:45:00
The chairman of the recently formed cannabis and hemp lobby group, SACHIDA says now is the time to develop hemp-based superfoods to tackle malnutrition. Katelga Khopotse says Government’s new attitude opens up the industrial cannabis value and that hemp can help feed the people.
Druids Taps Into Ancient Wisdom: Launches Biotika, Plant Medicine Booster Range
7 April 2025 at 14:15:00
Druids Garden, the SAHPRA-licensed Gauteng facility has been at the forefront of much of the innovation in South Africa’s cannabis industry. The latest fruit from its garden is Biotika, a range of plant-based energy boosters and health supplements that it bought to market last month. Cannabis Africa publisher Brett Hilton-Barber got the lowdown on the worldwide return to ancient medicines with Druids’ CEO Cian McLelland, who also shared his thoughts on the sorry state of SA cannabis reform.
'If SA Gets Cannabis Framework Right, It Could Be a Blueprint for BRICS+'
7 April 2025 at 09:00:00
An unlikely newcomer to the cannabis industry commentariat has just weighed in with the unlikely notion that if South Africa gets its policy framework right, it could serve as a blueprint for the BRICS+ group of nations. Independent media owner Dr Iqbal Surve, says cannabis could be a way of fostering new trade relationships outside traditional cannabis markets.
Stakeholder Pressure: Foodstuff Ban Sorted, Now Scrap the Drugs Act!
7 April 2025 at 07:00:00
Cannabis reform cannot proceed while cannabis is still defined as an illicit substance. That’s the view of activist lawyer, Charl Botha, who has written to President Ramaphosa, saying that his proposed stakeholder engagement will be hollow as long as the Drugs Act is in force.
Stellenbosch Researchers Squeeze Value Out of Waste in New Cannabis Extraction Breakthrough
5 April 2025 at 13:30:00
Stellenbosch University chemical engineers have developed a unique wax-based method of extraction that recovers valuable compounds that would otherwise be wasted. They say their methodology could make African cannabis exporters far more competitive on the global stage.
Enua Riding Green Wave in Germany, Seeks SA Flower as Demand Surges
4 April 2025 at 10:00:00
Leading German cannabis company Enua is seeking South African cultivators to feed growing demand for medical cannabis in Europe. Enua’s managing partner , Albert Schwarzmeier was in the Cape recently cementing a supplier relationship with local partner Nexus. He’s told MJBiz how the German market has exceeded expectations.
Stakeholder Input Meaningless Until Govt Sorts Out the ‘Three Ministry Muddle’
2 April 2025 at 15:30:00
President Ramphosa’s bold move to shift stakeholder engagement to the centre of the cannabis policy debate has assuaged an industry injured by the flip-flop of the cannabis foodstuff. But unless Government sorts out its ‘three ministry muddle’ ahead of industry consultation, any good advice it receives will remain out in the vortex
Last Mover Advantage: Botswana Better Placed Than SA to Become Regional Hemp Powerhouse
2 April 2025 at 14:30:00
Botswana looks set to bypass the regulatory nightmare that has beset South Africa's industrial cannabis industry by putting in a set of rules for the game before it opens up the market. Neighbouring South Africa, by comparison, has found itself in a quandary where permits are being issued with no clear market guidelines yet in place.
Is Labat Starting to Exit the Cannabis Space?
31 March 2025 at 10:00:00
Labat Africa is moving rapidly into the IT space with a distribution deal with Ubits Technology, while it reviews the risks associated with its cannabis operations. The JSE listed group was one of the first movers in the South African cannabis space but now it appears to be on an exit strategy from the sector.
Govt Must Learn its Cannabis Lesson When it Comes to Regulating Tobacco Products
31 March 2025 at 11:30:00
Government has committed itself to stakeholder engagement over future cannabis policy but this approach should not apply to this sector alone. The new Tobacco bill is due to reach Parliament soon, but in its current form it’s unlikely to pass constitutional muster. In order to avoid the same fate as the Cannabis Act, which is stuck in a legislative vacuum, Sifiso Skenjana, (pictured here) says authorities should listen to industry objections before trying to pass new laws affecting them.
Presribed Maximums Likely to Be Most Contentious Point in Cannabis Act Regulations
30 March 2025 at 16:30:00
The Justice Department is to circulate its proposed regulations for the Cannabis Act for stakeholder comment before they are gazetted. The most contentious regulations are likely to be the number of plants one may privately cultivated says leading cannabis lawyer Paul-Michael Keichel (pictured here)
SANDF: Cross Border Cannabis Trafficking Almost a ‘Daily Occurrence’
30 March 2025 at 10:30:00
The SANDF has been deployed for the last six months along the South Africa’s northern and eastern borders to combat transnational smuggling. Defence Web reports that this month’s seizure of R1,5 m worth of cannabis on the border between KwaZulu Natal and eSwatini highlights how porous the country’s frontiers are to drug smugglers.
Minister’s Unbanning of Illegal Edibles Creates Wrong Impression That They’re Now Legal
30 March 2025 at 09:45:00
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s clumsy attempt to protect consumers by banning cannabis-related foodstuffs continues to create market confusion even though the ban has been rescinded. There is a widespread perception among cannabis consumers that with the lifting of the ban, edibles are legal. They’re not, warns FGFA’s Myrtle Clarke (pictured here).
Health Minister ‘Not Disappointed’ That His Ban Was Lifted, Says President Understands His Safety Concerns
29 March 2025 at 10:00:00
The Health Minister was one of thousands of stakeholders who was ‘not disappointed’ by the lifting of his ban on cannabis-related foodstuffs. Dr Motsoaledi made this bizarre remark in an interview with News24, in which he emphasized that there was still an urgent need for regulation of such products in order to protect consumers.
Big Shape-Shift Underway: Justice Dept Now to Get Public Input Before Deciding on Regulations Governing Cannabis Act
28 March 2025 at 09:00:00
The public will be able to have its say on the long-awaited regulations governing the Cannabis Act before they are formalized by the Justice Department. This major shift in government’s approach to the private sector was almost thrown in an as an after-thought in Wednesday’s post-cabinet briefing, but, people, this is a bigger deal than it seems.
Cabinet Privately Reprimands Health Minister, Nips Department’s 'Grand Plan’ in the Bud
28 March 2025 at 07:45:00
It’s not clear exactly what the Health Department’s unilateral ‘grand plan’ for cannabis and foodstuffs was, but it has come crashing down before it got out the starting blocks. Cabinet is understood to have chastised the Health Minister for trying to go it alone and told him that stakeholder consultation is critical going forward.
Vayej: ‘The President’s Call to Lift ‘The Ban’ Is Pivotal to Moving Towards Industry Transparency’
26 March 2025 at 20:00:00
Open Farms chairman Shaad Vayej says the President’s move to lift ‘The Ban’ signals a much needed shift towards as transparency and stakeholder engagement in formulating future policy.
Silverleaf’s Weisz: President’s Rapid Response Lifting The Ban Bodes Well, Let’s Give Enabling Legislation the Same Urgency
26 March 2025 at 17:00:00
The Director of South Africa’s first dedicated cannabis investment fund, Silverleaf Investments, Darryl Weisz (pictured here), says he didn't expect the President’s decisiveness in lifting the controversial cannabis in foodstuffs ban. He says the same urgency should be applied in following this through with enabling legislation to unlock the domestic cannabis market.
Stakeholder Pressure Gets The Ban Lifted, Now The Momentum Shifts to Getting Legislation Sorted
26 March 2025 at 17:00:00
It was overwhelming stakeholder pressure that pushed President Cyril Ramaphosa to act decisively in reversing his Health Minister’s horrific blanket ban on cannabis in foodstuffs. Can this energy be harnessed into getting Government to put a commercial framework on the table?
President Ramaphosa Orders Cannabis Foodstuff Ban to Be Lifted Immediately
25 March 2025 at 18:00:00
President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to withdraw the controversial ban on cannabis in foodstuffs with immediate effect. He’s also ordered the Minister to begin consultations with stakeholders before issuing any further notice on the matter. This is a statement from the Presidency.
Thanks to the Health Minister SA Now Has One of the Most Restrictive Food Policies in the World
25 March 2025 at 10:45:00
South Africa now has one of the most restrictive food policies in the world following the ban on hemp foodstuffs. Open Farms chairman and attorney, Shaad Vayej (pictured here), says government should be aligning with international best practice in developing the hemp sector, but has instead imposed “a backward-looking restriction that harms businesses, limits consumer access, and contradicts prior regulations.”
‘He Needs to be Charged or Fired!’ CTAA Prepares Interdict, Says Health Minister has been ‘Criminally Negligent’
25 March 2025 at 07:00:00
The push-back is gaining momentum as more cannabis stakeholders gear up for lawfare against the hemp foodstuff ban. The CTAA is to preparing to file an interdict against the Health Minister, saying his actions could be construed as criminally negligent, and “he needs to be charged or fired.”
W Cape Slams 'The Ban' as a ‘Direct Assault on Economic Growth and Job Creation’
24 March 2025 at 06:30:00
The Western Cape’s plan to develop a cannabis and hemp economy has been derailed by the Health Minister’s ‘ill-considered” blanket ban on cannabis in foodstuffs. Ivan Meyer, the province’s Agriculture MEC, says central government must move swiftly to reverse the ban before further damage is done.
The Ban: Here Comes the First Legal Challenge Along With Claims for Millions in Damages
23 March 2025 at 08:30:00
Hemp businessman Hennie Venter is leading the legal charge against the Health Minister with a court application to have the cannabis foodstuff ban overturned. He says he is bringing the action on behalf of all entrepreneurs who have seen their investments “go down in flames” because of the ban.
Zimbabwe’s 'Dr Zoey': The Region Should Harmonize Regulations And Market Itself as a Solid Bloc on World Markets
22 March 2025 at 13:15:00
Imagine a ‘Cannabis SADEC’ in which the member countries harmonized their regulatory criteria and worked as a solid bloc to market southern African medical and industrial cannabis to the world. That’s the vision of Zimbabwe’s leading cannabis change-maker, Dr Zorodzai Maroveke who says that would make a real difference Africa’s prospects of becoming a real player in the global game.
Ministers Run for Cover as Hemp Foodstuff Ban Turns Into a Political Issue and Heads for the Courts
22 March 2025 at 10:00:00
Two weeks after Dr Aaron Motsoaled’s shock ban on cannabis in foodstuff, the Health Minister has yet to make a public statement or explain the intentions behind his actions which have wreaked havoc beyond the hemp industry. Neither has the DTIC nor the Presidency said a word about the major policy blunder that has derailed the Cannabis Master Plan and now become a political issue.
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