Agriculture
With regard to the Western Cape Cannabis Framework and Implementation Plan (CanPlan):
- How will the cannabis plan affect small-scale informal dagga producers and sellers and (b) how will his Department assist informal producers and sellers to become part of the formal cannabis economy?
5. (a) The Western Cape is rich in traditional and indigenous knowledge on the healing properties, integrative healing practices and spiritual wellbeing that full spectrum (whole plant) medicinal cannabis can provide. Furthermore, hemp is a natural fibre with many other benefits (for use in food) which could offer numerous opportunities for the province.
The Western Cape Cannabis Framework and Implementation Plan (CanPlan) sets out to provide guidelines to current and prospective stakeholders (both small-scale and commercial) in the medicinal cannabis and hemp value chain in the Western Cape. The premise of the CanPlan is to support all production, processing and marketing processes according to current legislation and build a vibrant cannabis economy with opportunities for all.
The actions emanating from the CanPlan, accompanied by its implementation plan, will address gaps and opportunities alike.
(b) One of the actions identified in the CanPlan is the establishment of an Industry Stakeholder Working Group which would align efforts and address challenges experienced by small-scale and commercial producers alike and also support informal producers and sellers to become part of the formal cannabis economy. It is envisaged that this working group will have its first inaugural meeting during August 2023.
