SA’S first dagga expo
CANNABIS enthusiasts, activists, medical researchers and inventors are spoilt for knowledge during the inaugural Cannabis Expo at Time Square Arena.
The expo, featuring exhibitors, producers and members of the legal fraternity opened yesterday and will conclude on Sunday.
It is aimed at giving visitors an opportunity to learn about the plant, the laws around it and acquiring growing permits, as well as health benefits.
Other information includes how to cultivate pure cannabis, types of lights to use, growing tents as well as cannabis-infused energy drinks and ice cream.
Jamie Bartlett, popularly known for his soapie persona David Genaro on Rhythm City, said he was excited to be at that first ever cannabis expo in South Africa and possibly the continent.
“I use cannabis to aid me with sleep, and I am happy that it is now wide open for all those in Pretoria ... it is just magic.”
Andrew Lawrie, from Schindlers Attorneys, said what was important to note was that there were mechanisms in place for South Africans to apply for licences to cultivate cannabis.
However there were, according to Lawrie, limitations imposed such as in a scenario where one had licensed cultivators and end users, but no channel established to grow and supply to end users.
The most profitable option left for producers, he said, would be to try exporting the product, but for that, one would require them to get at least three permits.
“So you can already see that there is a lot of red tape, and selling locally you can only do with a manufacturing pharmacist. They can integrate into medicine but the medicine has to be registered which normally takes five years.”