30/05/2026
🌿 Day 1 of The Cannabis Expo and my biggest takeaway came from the fantastic panel discussions on regulations and reform.
The important point that stood out, thanks to the input from Myrtle Clark from Fields of Green for ALL, is that if South Africa is to establish a formal Cannabis Industry Body, the process should actually start with government issuing a call to industry. Existing organisations and associations could then apply and respond through the correct channels. It seems that this is the first step required to create a recognised industry body.
For me, this feels like a positive piece of the puzzle and hopefully a step in the right direction for our industry.
The challenge, of course, is that we currently have a number of fragmented organisations operating across different sectors of cannabis. Perhaps the answer lies in creating a coalition or cohort that can bring these voices together and work towards a common goal.
There is still much work to be done, but conversations like these are exactly why events such as The Cannabis Expo are so valuable.
And soooo lovely to get a chance to connect in person with some Sativa Sista's - Simi van Graan, Anna Mulders, Ami Heystek, Gaynor and Marleen Theunissen.
