IOL News reports that an Eastern Cape community is calling for de-scheduling of cannabis as a way of exercising total control of the lucrative “green gold” industry.
This comes as the deadline for public comment on the guideline documents for cultivation of the plant for medical use looms. The Department of Health, in consultation with the Medicines Control Council (MCC), is developing a legislative framework that would allow for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis. Prince Phumezile Dinwayo of the Amantlane Traditional Council, at Lusikisiki in Eastern Cape, said this represented opportunities for rural communities in the country as it could lead to job creation, economic stability and growth of the critical agricultural sector, among others. He believes that cannabis should be de-scheduled and treated as a herbal medicine and described his community as the cannabis capital of Africa.
- Read this report by Luyolo Mkentane in full at IOL News
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