Plan to boost medicinal cannabis sector
THE government is encouraging KwaZulu-Natal farmers and entrepreneurs to grow cannabis for medicinal use as part of attempts to position the province as a leading exporter of cannabis.
According to the Moses Kotane Institute, an entity of the provincial government through the Department of Economic Development, it will cost a budding farmer around R23000 for a farming licence.
The licence is only part of the requirements: secured and fenced land, lighting and approval from the Department of Health, among others, are also required to begin growing cannabis.
Speaking at the Cannabis Investment Protocol at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre yesterday, Economic Development MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the province was aiming to use the cannabis industry to stimulate agriculture and many other sectors.
She called on “ordinary” members of society who had been involved in growing cannabis illegally to take up opportunities the provincial government was providing.
“Our focus as the government is ordinary communities in rural areas, because they have a long history of growing and consuming cannabis – though they have been doing it illegally. Now that the government is opening up opportunities, we don’t want ordinary members of society to be marginalised,” she said.
Available statistics revealed the cannabis industry was worth more than R100 billion globally. The UN said South Africa produced 2300 tons
“We want those with a history of growing it to take up opportunities Nomusa Dube-Ncube KZN Economic development mec
of cannabis annually – making the country the third-largest producer of cannabis and related products in Africa. In addition, the African Cannabis Report of March 2019, published by Prohibition Partners, estimated that by 2023 the value of the country’s cannabis industry would be around R26bn.
This was based on the assumption that the government would move with speed over the regulation of the cannabis industry.
Dube-Ncube said she had no doubt that South Africa’s exports to Europe would increase drastically once cannabis entered the market. The provincial and national departments of Agriculture and Rural Development would help those interested in growing cannabis with accessing land, fencing and accessing business support.
Dube-Ncube said her department and its entities were ready to support small medium and micro co-operatives with training, mentorship and funding, and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs would help ensure the participation of traditional leaders.