Legalising Medical Cannabis In South Africa
FarmBiz|July 2020
The term ‘cannabis’ refers to plants in the genus Cannabis. The three most recognised species are Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis.
Carin Venter
Legalising Medical Cannabis In South Africa

This flowering herb generates a group of chemicals (cannabinoids) which produce mental and physical effects when consumed. There are approximately 113 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and more than 6 000 different strains.

The most commonly discussed, grown and traded cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD), which is non-psychoactive, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the ‘high’ associated with recreational drug use.

CBD provides a powerful analgesic for arthritis pain, inflammatory pain, muscle-spasticity in multiple sclerosis, nerve-related pain, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer, sleep disorders, acne, anxiety, depression and many more.

THC is a psychoactive substance, typically smoked recreationally to produce a ‘high’, but also consumed orally to reduce anxiety. Chronic use may however lead to an a motivational syndrome characterised by apathy and lack of drive.

The South African market

According to the South African Medical Journal, cannabis contains varying amounts of THC and CBD, depending on various cultivation factors. No commercial plant-derived cannabis products are currently registered for medical use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). Although freely available, such products are therefore unregulated and of unverified composition, and not guaranteed to be safe or effective.

Esta historia es de la edición July 2020 de FarmBiz.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July 2020 de FarmBiz.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FARMBIZVer todo
Hauling In A Full Net: Reaping The Benefits Of Processed Fish
FarmBiz

Hauling In A Full Net: Reaping The Benefits Of Processed Fish

As local and global governments deal with the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, producers are now more than ever searching for new options for expanding their businesses. That said, farming and value addition to produce does not have to be limited to landlocked food sources.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 2020
Grow Produce Year-round With Tunnels And Greenhouses
FarmBiz

Grow Produce Year-round With Tunnels And Greenhouses

Climate change is an inescapable reality and can wreak havoc in open-field production systems that rely on the right weather patterns to produce good yields. For this reason, many producers worldwide have turned to growing crops in tunnels or greenhouses. These production systems offer protection from changing weather patterns, allowing them to grow crops throughout the year.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2020
Saving Soil: Harnessing The Microbiome
FarmBiz

Saving Soil: Harnessing The Microbiome

We live in unprecedented times.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2020
Summer Grain Production: A Producer's Perspective
FarmBiz

Summer Grain Production: A Producer's Perspective

The 2020 planting season for producers in the summer rainfall areas is here and most of them are looking forward to the first summer rains so that they can plant their crops. FarmBiz spoke to Jaco Minnaar from the farm Uitsny near Henneman about the new season. Jaco is vice-chairperson of Agri SA and currently serves on the Senwes board.

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2020
Electronic Auctions: The New Normal?
FarmBiz

Electronic Auctions: The New Normal?

The South African livestock industry has suffered a tremendous setback with challenges posed to physical auctions. However, the industry is nothing if not resilient. The first ban on livestock auctions was imposed during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in 2019.

time-read
5 minutos  |
September 2020
Oxygen Types That Damage Crops In Extreme Weather Conditions
FarmBiz

Oxygen Types That Damage Crops In Extreme Weather Conditions

Oxygen is best known as a life-giving gas without which life as we know it, would not be possible.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2020
Asia's Maize Imports Likely To Grow
FarmBiz

Asia's Maize Imports Likely To Grow

In 2019, the Asian maize market was finally on the rise to reach US$204,4 billion after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2009 to 2019. Its value increased at an average annual rate of 5,1% over the last decade.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2020
Cultivated grazing: Fertiliser is the key to success
FarmBiz

Cultivated grazing: Fertiliser is the key to success

Nowadays everything in agriculture has to be done on a larger scale. Cultivated grazing has also become a science, with producers forced to think bigger to get more out of their grazing – all at the most economical cost.

time-read
5 minutos  |
September 2020
Industry Giants Comment On Special Adjustment Budget
FarmBiz

Industry Giants Comment On Special Adjustment Budget

Prof Johan Willemse, an independent agricultural economist, says the supplementary budget delivered by the minister of finance on 24 June was a real shocker. According to him, the government is spending an additional R145 billion on the COVID-19 issue. The real issue, however, is a record budget shortfall due to the economic meltdown, with wrong policy choices and corruption on the cards.

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 2020
Rethinking The Conversion Process Of Poultry Litter To Biogas
FarmBiz

Rethinking The Conversion Process Of Poultry Litter To Biogas

The poultry industry is generally comprised of broiler chicken production, egg production, day-old chick suppliers and other poultry. While micro-enterprise businesses are gaining prominence as a means to address the challenges of job creation, economic growth and equity, the industry has future challenges concerning poultry litter management.

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 2020