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The cannabis and hemp train is on the move, and South Africa and Africa at large need to jump on before it passes us by.
This was the takeaway from the launch of the Cheeba Cannabis Academy’s training centre, in partnership with Vital Veggie and Training Force, which took place on Tuesday in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Cheeba CEO Trenton Birch said the academy sought to “bring this industry online, which is super important for our economy, for job creation and for the overall planet”.
Hemp is increasingly being used as a food source, in medicine and has textile and industrial applications, including as a substitute for plastic. Hemp seeds are particularly rich in healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are known for improving heart health by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure.
Birch said:
Daniel Orelowitz from Training Force – a provider of industry- and job-specific skills assessments and training interventions to businesses and their employees – said they hoped that the collaboration would empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the rapidly growing industry, which will play a significant role in job creation.
Speaking at the launch, co-director at the Tshwane University of Technology/CSIR cannabis research hub, Professor David Katerere said the industrial hemp market would see significant growth in the coming years, estimated to be worth more than $300 million (R5 billion) by 2027.
The facility works to support businesses and entrepreneurs in the region to produce good quality, safe hemp and cannabis products for local use and export.
Katerere said the continent has a number of advantages over other regions, including having the most arable land, plenty sunshine, cheap labour and tobacco expertise. Tobacco and hemp have a lot similarities
However, he also cautioned that there are obstacles to building an inclusive industry, including legislative policy uncertainties, lack of investment, lack of training and a general lack of knowledge.
Current laws allow for cannabis use and cultivation in private spaces, but the definition of a “private space” is unclear. This has led to confusion regarding whether spaces such as homes and cars qualify as private and therefore allow for cannabis use and cultivation.
He said: “You cannot grow any industry without education or knowledge. What you guys are doing is extremely admirable. There is no substitute for getting your feet wet and learning from human beings and their own experiences.”
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“The only way this industry is going to grow, build and realise its true potential is through partnership. Unfortunately, we have lost the spirit of ubuntu in this country. We need to get it back and we need to get it back urgently,” he said.
