Latest news with #CannabisExpo
Daily Maverick
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Cannabis Expo shows how private sector is rolling in face of hazy government policy
The Cannabis Expo underlined the energy of private businesses that are forging ahead with investment, sales and job creation in the face of dazed and confused government policy that appears to have been crafted over a bong. Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' blared from the DJ's stage and the sweet aroma of cannabis hung in the crisp autumn air at 10.50 on a Saturday morning. On its second of three days, the Cannabis Expo was in full swing at the Sandton Convention Centre, which bent its rules to allow for a 'smoking' section outside, which was mostly a toking section. Cannabis consumers are generally a laid-back bunch, but the expo underlined the energy of private businesses that are forging ahead with investment, sales and job creation in the face of dazed and confused government policy that appears to have been crafted over a bong. There were more than 100 exhibitors from South Africa and abroad, showcasing — and hawking — everything from edibles to rolling gadgets to water bongs to plant fertilisers. On the main stage, panels discussed subjects such as 'Women & Weed: Wellness, Empowerment and The Female Body', 'Potential Cannabis Commercialisation Benefits', and 'How to Choose The Right Cannabis Product for You'. The times they are a'changin', and tellingly, Farmer's Weekly had a stand. Cannabis is, after all, grown, and if the government could grasp this low-hanging fruit, the agricultural sector could reap a bountiful harvest. But the surging commercial sector for cannabis products is unfolding beneath a haze of legal and regulatory uncertainty. This genie was freed from the bottle by the landmark Constitutional Court decision in 2018 that, in effect, legalised the recreational use of cannabis — as an adult South African, it is your constitutional right to consume cannabis. In May 2024, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act gave the green light for adults to consume, cultivate and possess cannabis for private use — but it leaves the cannabis commercialisation on display in Sandton this past weekend in the dark. One factor that undermines efforts to get a clear and straightforward policy is the lack of a single industry body to represent commercial cannabis interests. 'The industry itself is not represented. There is not a single industry body that represents every facet of the cannabis industry. This makes it virtually impossible to make representation on behalf of the industry,' advocate Simi Pillay-van Graan, the CEO of Trikar Enterprise Solutions, told Daily Maverick on the sidelines of the expo. That is a clarion call for a Cannabis Council to take up the cudgels. What this means Billions of rands in investment and tax revenue are going up in smoke because of government — read ANC — inertia on what should be a straightforward policy. If you are an adult who consumes cannabis and buys from one of the many retail outlets that are springing up all over the show, the vast majority of your purchases are technically illegal. Buying such products with your card also means that South Africa's banks are involved in illicit sales. Crafting policy to allow for the effective commercialisation of a sector that is already forging ahead is crucial. Brett Pollack, a lawyer who heads Harambe Solutions, told Daily Maverick that the industry was '… moving along ahead of government without the laws in place. So right now we are in a liminal space. We don't have a commercial framework, which is exactly what we need to build an economy out of this.' But an economy — one that is not yet subject to sin taxes for THC consumption — is indeed growing in the shade of perplexing policy. And things are rolling along, in some cases quite literally. At the stand for Pretoria-based Aaptwak Foundation & Club — basically, a cannabis club — Walter Pretorius displayed his skills in the fine art of speed rolling. The rules are simple: the paper can be pre-licked with a filter (if you choose) and everything prepared beforehand. It just has to be smokeable to qualify as complete. He was clearly a practised hand. On his rolling platform, this correspondent watched Pretorius three times over the course of the morning. His first go was a warm-up that took more than six seconds to complete — think of Usain Bolt warming up for the 100m dash. The third time I witnessed Pretorius in action (see video), it took him 3.52 seconds to roll a joint. If you blinked, you might have missed it. Walter also displayed an 80g monster joint that was longer than most of the trout this angling correspondent has caught in a lifetime of fishing. Presumably, that would have taken a little longer than 3.52 seconds to roll. By contrast, government policy on this front is moving at a snail's pace. It is another brick in a wall of what should be a window of transparency with the sunlight shining on a field of dreams. DM
News24
a day ago
- Business
- News24
High energy and higher hopes: Cannabis Expo 2025 lights up Sandton
Another year, another Cannabis Expo – this time with even more flair, innovation and excitement. This year's Cannabis Expo kicked off with an electrifying buzz at the Sandton Convention Centre, drawing overwhelming enthusiasm from attendees, exhibitors and industry leaders alike. From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere was charged with palpable energy as a record-breaking crowd poured in. With more than 100 exhibitors from SA and beyond, the expo offered a vibrant showcase of the cannabis industry's full spectrum – spanning cultivation, extraction, medicinal advancements, lifestyle products and retail innovations. This year's event promises to be the most dynamic yet, reflecting the growing momentum and mainstream acceptance of the cannabis economy. The expo runs until Sunday, providing a platform not just for business and education, but for igniting conversations and sparking new collaborations in the evolving cannabis space. Beyond the buzzing exhibition floor, the atmosphere came alive with the Freedom Festival, which delivered an unforgettable cultural experience. A stellar lineup of local DJs kept the energy high, transforming the event into a vibrant celebration of music, community and cannabis culture. Crowds flocked to the fan-favourite Speed Rolling competition, adding a fun and competitive edge to the day's festivities. With a packed weekend still ahead, organisers anticipate record-breaking attendance. The expo remains open daily from 10am to 6pm through Sunday.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
(VIDEO) Cannabis Expo comes to Johannesburg
The Cannabis Expo returned to Johannesburg with a fun experience for all. The Cannabis Expo returned to Johannesburg with a host of activities and displays to keep visitors entertained. There were a lot of companies involved in the cannabis industry, with over 100 exhibitors at the event. The exhibitors were keen to show off the latest in products and services representing the entire cannabis industry. This years expo was presented by Synergy Wellness Network. Synergy Wellness Network is an online section 21 medical cannabis approved patient card service rovider and network supplier. From cultivation equipment, to edible production machinery, cannabis infused food and private smoking areas, there was something for everyone at the Cannabis Expo. ALSO WATCH: The moment Joshlin Smith's mother was sentenced to life in prison
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Beer lovers and cannabis connoisseurs to gather in Gauteng's biggest cities this weekend
The Cannabis Expo is at the Sandton Convention Centre and the Inner City Beer Fest will be held in Pretoria on Saturday. Joburg is a vibrant and frantic city due to its inhabitants' 'hustler' mentality, while Pretoria, with all its embassies, is much more laid-back in comparison. With this outlook in mind, one would assume that this weekend's Cannabis Expo would be held in Pretoria and the Inner-City Beer Fest in Joburg. However, it's the other way around as Gauteng's two biggest metropolitan municipalities separately take beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs of the herb on a journey into these two substances. The Cannabis Expo takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from Friday to Sunday. The inaugural Inner City Beer Fest will be hosted at 012 Central in Pretoria on Saturday. ALSO READ: Cannabis-infused food ban: A blow to South Africa's economy A growing industry The Cannabis Expo in South Africa was launched in late 2019 and The Cannabis Expo's Communications Manager, Kendel Falkson, says they were taken aback by how big the local cannabis industry was. 'With each subsequent expo the number of businesses exhibiting with us has grown rapidly, with new local businesses popping up and contacting us daily,' Kendel told The Citizen. 'The cannabis industry is far broader than most people realise and at the upcoming expo in Sandton over 100 cannabis businesses are represented from cannabis cultivation to extraction products.' In 2024, just before the country's general elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, which legalises the private use of cannabis. Kendel says there is still a large grey area, but that more money is flowing into the industry, especially in areas such as cultivation, CBD products and technology. 'Investors are looking for that next big thing and while the legislative landscape is still evolving, businesses are innovating and pushing the boundaries,' she says. 'People are finding creative solutions to work within the current confines, and we're seeing a lot of activity outside the 'grey zone'. It's like the cannabis industry is building its own highway, even if the road signs aren't entirely clear yet.' ALSO READ: Cannabis industry only has itself to blame for edibles being banned Openness to new beer flavours South African beer consumers are a loyal bunch. This was evinced earlier this month when South African Rayno Nel, soon after being named the World's Strongest Man in Sacramento, California, said he just wanted a Black Label to celebrate his win. 'South Africans are known for their loyalty to trusted beer brands and it's true that many have long gravitated toward familiar lagers,' brand and marketing manager at Homecoming Events, organisers of the Inner-City Beer Festival, Thando Vokwana tells The Citizen. 'But the landscape is changing,' he says, adding that beer culture in South Africa is undergoing a dynamic shift, with growing interest — particularly among younger audiences in new styles, craft options and experimental flavours. 'City Beer Fest embraces this openness by creating a space where seasoned beer drinkers and curious newcomers alike can comfortably expand their palates,' 'It's a celebration of both tradition and innovation showcasing South Africa's beer heritage while inviting people to discover what's next.' This is the first Inner-City Beer Fest and the organisers see it as a milestone for South Africa's beer culture. 'It's more than just a gathering — it's a carefully curated celebration of the innovation and diversity within our beer industry, while also promoting responsible consumption and beer education,' Vokwana says. ALSO READ: Love hurts: Seven common sex injuries Something for everyone At the core of expos is the element of educating the public, sharing innovation and fostering cooperation within an industry. More than just finding yourself in clouds of smoke at the Cannabis Expo's Just Blaze section, the expo will also showcase the health benefits that come with cannabis. 'Visitors can journey through The Synergy Experience, a thoughtfully curated walk-through featuring in-depth education on medical cannabis, trusted patient pathways, retail partnership opportunities and holistic wellness practices,' says Kendel. There will also be the Cheeba Cannabis Cultivation Summit, where experts will give talks and participate in panel discussions. 'The summit will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the latest trends, techniques and best practices in cannabis and hemp cultivation.' On a lighter side, there will also be a speed-rolling competition on each day of the Expo where patrons see who can roll a blunt the quickest. As many people will attend the beer festival for the beverage, there will also be a music element to it, with Julian Gomes and Kabza De Small as the festival's headliners. 'There's fun stuff happening with partners like the Beer Association of South Africa and beer games so people aren't just standing around with cups they're fully in the moment and enjoying themselves,' said Vokwana. NOW READ: 'Kivuli & Nuru: The Afrodisiacs Collection' —African erotic stories delving deep into the queer world of desire
