SA’s Cannabis Masterplan: North West Farmers Encouraged to Apply for Hemp Permits

Farmers and manufacturers in South Africa’s North West province are being encouraged to apply for hemp permits, in order to participate in the growing hemp industry and alleviate poverty… an opportunity which the province’s Agriculture MEC describes as “low hanging fruit”.

Just last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the SA government is reviewing current policies regarding the hemp and cannabis industry in order to facilitate things so that SA can realise the huge potential for investment, economic growth and job creation (potentially more than 130,000 new jobs!). “We are therefore streamlining the regulatory processes so that the hemp and cannabis sector can thrive like it is in other countries such as Lesotho,” the President said.

The hemp permit process follows a Cabinet decision in 2019 to have a plan for industrialisation and commercialisation of Cannabis, after a committee was established to guide the development of a ‘Cannabis Masterplan’ for South Africa.

Although the Masterplan is still in process, NW Agriculture MC Desbo Mohono encouraged farmers and manufacturers in her province to apply for hemp permits now in order to reap economic opportunities in the industry.

“The legalisation and commercialisation of Cannabis Sativa (Cannabis) has been on the forefront of public debate and on top of the agenda of policymakers globally,” said Mohono. “As a role player, the NWDARD did organise a webinar last year to engage stakeholders in a collaborative effort to advance the Cannabis Masterplan Implementation process.

“In that webinar, we learned that only few farmers had permits and at the time of our engagement, their permits had expired. I know we have very passionate farmers in the province and I urge them to follow the process and to apply for Hemp Permits.”

The Plant Improvement Act, 1976 (Act no 53 of 1976) and its regulations provide a legal framework for cultivation, distribution and sale of hemp propagating material in South Africa.

Any person who wants to engage in identified activities relating to hemp must be in possession of a hemp permit issued by the Registrar of the Plant Improvement Act.

Mohono said that while the hemp application process is hosted by the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the provincial department has identified a technical team to assist local farmers with the application process.

The application process is open to all interest groups and individuals, and application forms can be accessed through the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development website www.dalrrd.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za