Now that progress has been made, government should ensure inclusivity in terms of participation in the novel industry, the writer says.The tabling of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill with its radical amendments to parliament’s portfolio committee on justice and constitutional development last week is a step in the right direction for government’s efforts to commercialise cannabis.
His announcement followed the tabling in parliament of the Cannabis Masterplan by minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development Thoko Didiza in August last year. The masterplan detailed government’s roadmap towards the full legislation and the development of hemp and medical cannabis industries.
The US and Canada have long passed enabling legislations, hence their developed lucrative cannabis industries. The process to amend the obsolete legislation was moved away from the control of the department of health, with trade and industry and agriculture, land reform and rural development ministries now driving the bill so that it is in line with government’s thinking and the Constitution.