For some cannabis growers in Mzansi, the lack of government departments to speak with one voice regarding the use of cannabis remains the biggest bottleneck in their operations. They say this policy uncertainty and lack of political will to formalise the sector just adds to their woes.
The comments come after the portfolio committee on Justice and Constitutional Development approved the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, which will now go before the National Assembly and be debated by political parties to approve or not. If it gets approved, it will be sent to the President to be an act of law.
The bill welcomed, but…
The cannabis industry has welcomed the approval and believe the industry will hit an upward curve.
According to cannabis grower, biodiversity specialist, and Gauteng African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa) youth chairperson Katlego Kgopotse, farmers have welcomed the approval.
However, he said more education and awareness are needed because the South African Police Services will still arrest farmers who cultivate in private (with permits) and cannabis social clubs would still be harassed.
“The low Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels that a farmer must stick to when growing industrial hemp are impossible with the climate and weather that we have in Southern Africa.
“But we welcome the private use and cultivation of whatever is in the bill. However, we want to commercialise the plant as it has a huge potential for growth and ability to assist the economic mainstream for this country,” he said.
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More support required
Kgopotse said while they welcome the progress the government and legislative arm of the state is making, more work needs to be done to assist growers to work freely without fear.
“Farmers need support in terms of inputs, capacity building in line with industry regulations and legal framework, and off-take agreements,” said Kgopotse.
According to the draft policy, the bill aims to respect the right to privacy of an adult person to possess cannabis plant cultivation material.
The draft policy also aims:
- To cultivate a prescribed quantity of cannabis plants.
- To possess a prescribed quantity of cannabis and to smoke and consume cannabis.
- Regulate the possession of cannabis plant cultivation material.
- Allow for the cultivation of cannabis plants.
- Respect the privacy of those in possession of cannabis and the smoking and consumption of cannabis by an adult person.
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‘This is our history’
Kgopotse emphasised that cannabis usage has been part of the indigenous knowledge systems for many years which is why indigenous knowledge holders requested that the THC level must be normal.
While all looks good, he believes the industry is still lacking. He added that farmers do not have registered cannabis seed varieties on the database of the plant protection and improvement division of the department of agriculture, something, he believes, is key for implementation.
“Though we are happy as hemp farmers with the amendments made to the hemp regulations and requirements to obtain a permit, we also need to see the size of the land needed to be addressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance (Satta) welcomed the new legislation to regulate the cannabis sector, particularly as many tobacco farmers have the skills and resources to grow and harvest cannabis.
From tobacco to cannabis
“Many emerging farmers in particular have already explored opportunities in the cannabis sector, primarily because their future in the tobacco sector is increasingly bleak.
“South African tobacco farmers cannot ignore the irony in the fact that the cannabis industry which has been illegal for decades is suddenly experiencing liberalisation, and the possibility of doing business legitimately at the same time that the tobacco industry which has been legal for decades,” Satta said in a statement.
According to Satta, it is important to note that the progress that is being made in the cannabis industry is the result of meaningful engagement between all stakeholders, including farmers and indigenous producers.
“We will be watching developments in the cannabis sector with interest, and waiting for the day when the same sort of consultative approach could be adopted towards South Africa’s 120-year-old tobacco industry,” Satta said.
Portfolio committee secretary Vhonani Ramaano confirmed that deliberations regarding the new bill are still underway and will go through all the necessary processes for it to be regarded as an act of law.
“The next step is for the National Assembly (NA) to adopt it and refer it to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for concurrence, then it will be sent to the President” he said.
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