Tag: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

With deregulation glinting globally, the cannabis market is expected to explode. New Frontier Data’s Global Cannabis Report: 2019 Industry Outlook estimates that there are around 263 million legal users of cannabis and cannabis-related products worldwide. Africa is home to 83 million of these. The report estimates that the total legal cannabis market hit a value of $344 billion in 2018, and ranks Africa as one of the top five regional markets, accounting for $37.3 billion.

The legalisation of marijuana for personal consumption has created a lot of confusion and misunderstanding, particularly when it comes to use of the drug and workplace health and safety regulations. A proliferation of cannabis-related products has come onto the market since this legalisation, from oils to creams, pills and cannabis coffee.

Following the recent landmark decision of the South African Constitutional Court, in which the private and personal use of cannabis was decriminalised, together with the publication of guidelines regarding the cultivation of cannabis for medical, scientific and clinical research purposes, an enhanced interest in the cannabis industry has emerged and investors are keen to be amongst the first to capitalise on the potential growth of this 'green' market.

The Constitutional Court announced today that dagga is now legal in South Africa for private use. However,  there are a number of concerns and questions around regulation and control that still need to be addressed to ensure the safety of both users and non-users.