Despite a two-year pandemic break, this dynamic industry has grown rapidly and now The Cannabis Expo is preparing for its biggest event yet in the Mother City in line with governments renewed focus on this flourishing industry.
At his State of the Nation Address last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his plans to review current frameworks and look at easing policies to help the cannabis sector grow.
He said government was ready to legalise the commercial cannabis industry that could create as much as 130 000 job opportunities. In the wake of his announcement, last week for the first time, albeit two years overdue the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill was presented to parliament with more amendments which may legalise the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes.
Coming up at GrandWest from 24 to 27 March, the expo is the largest trade and consumer expo of its kind on the African continent and includes over 150 exhibitors, networking and entertainment spaces, a cannabis food market, as well as The Cannabis Convention that hosts moderated panel discussions and presentations from global industry leaders.
“Its seems like Cape Town is in love with the plant. Cannabis is a very fertile plant and since the legal framework started changing it is surprising to see how many first-time users visit our expos to see what it is all about,” says organiser Silas Howarth.
People are becoming increasingly curious about the health benefits of cannabis. Howarth explains that cannabis has two extracts, CBD (medicinal only) and THC.
“THC contains the cannabinoid that makes you high, while CBD does not although both extracts are beneficial for your health with increasingly more research indicating its effectiveness in pain management, skin conditions, cancer, depression and even covid.
“Because cannabis has been prohibited for so long it prevented scientists to study the health benefits of the plant, but new research over the past few years is revealing much,” he says.
Since the use of cannabis was declared a constitutional right in 2018, much has changed.
The Constitutional Court allowed the government two years to write laws to accommodate the right to use cannabis.
“The draft bill on Cannabis for Private Purposes made it legal for anyone to grow cannabis and use THC products recreationally in a private space. However, it remains illegal to sell or buy THC. This created a dilemma, but also an opportunity whereby someone else can legally grow cannabis for you,” Howarth explains.
“For now this is a loophole, but also as a solution until legislation becomes clearer.”
The proposed amendments to the bill as mentioned above will allow for licensed and regulated commercial cultivation, packaging and sale of cannabis for recreational use.
“It is indeed very exciting times for the industry with government positioning itself to be cannabis forward. The new amendments will also reduce the red tape around the current growing rights,” he says.
Howarth says South Africa can produce quality cannabis to compete massively in an international market.
With a huge selection of cannabis-related products and services already legally on the market, the expo hosts businesses and professionals from all sectors of the industry in agriculture, healthcare, medicine, legislation groups and government departments.
“Throughout the event, visitors are able to enjoy and participate in talks, presentations and panel discussions with cannabis industry leaders, experts, activists and government representatives on a variety of cannabis related topics,” says Howarth.
“You can get clued up about the laws around cannabis, how to get a grower’s permit, what tools, lights and fertilisers are needed to grow the best crops, the wide range of health benefits and the vast business opportunities the cannabis industry has to offer.”
New to the upcoming Cape Town event, The JuicyFields Freedom Festival at the expo is the ultimate space for cannabis enthusiasts, providing a vibrant outdoor festival environment for visitors.
The expo will also host a private space where members can legally use cannabis and “self-medicate” in the heart of Cape Town.
- Tickets are on sale now at TheCannabisExpo.co.za or at the door. See the website for ticket prices.
