This as the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services held a two-day engagement with several government departments, which included the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DALRRD) on its work around cannabis for medical and personal use. 

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The virtual meeting was conducted over two days where DALRRD, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), and the Department of Health had the opportunity to each make presentations on the master plans for the cannabis industry.

During the presentation, Thabo Ramashala, Directorate Plant Production at the DALRRD, explained that the scope of the cannabis master plan includes both hemp as well as dagga. He further added that the department first took up lessons that came from various countries that have embarked on the commercialisation of cannabis. These countries include Canada, Spain, Uruguay, Spain, the USA, China, and the Netherlands, as well as other countries across the world and from the African continent.

The reason behind the master plan is to diversify the economy as well as increase job creation which will help alleviate poverty, says Ramashala.

In terms of the industry size, he says that the cannabis industry is estimated to be worth around R28 billion and create between 10 000 and 25 000 jobs across the value chain.

Ramashala added that small scale growers will be receiving assistance from government. He explains that “we’ve come up with a model where in a specific area, we take a group of farmers who agree to work together, but each of them will operate on their own farm.

“Then what will happen is that government or a state-owned entity or any donor can put up a central processing facility in that space where it will link up with the farmers. Government will provide seed and other production inputs to these farmers to assist them with primary production.”

In order to grow cannabis, the producer would have to meet certain requirements in order to obtain a permit. Ramashala adds that if a farmer wants to partake in growing cannabis, he would need to have access to land – whether it is owned or borrowed, it does not matter.

Furthermore, Ramashala stated that the department had discussions with different provinces who identified possible growers who can be incorporated in the value chain.

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