Weed

Photo: Envato Elements

Here’s what you need to know about growing weed in South Africa

Weed is fast becoming an emerging industry, so to stay updated, here’s our guide on what you need to know about growing weed in South Africa.

Weed

Photo: Envato Elements

With cannabis reaching new heights in South Africa and the rest of the world, it’s good to know where you stand and what growing weed in the country, actually entails.

The latest developments in cannabis 

Cannabis is said to be an emerging industry, and one that has the potential to propel Africa, to a large scale exporter. The continent’s revenue is expected to reach billions of dollars within the next few years.

Business leaders, scientists and experts gathered in Cape Town on Tuesday 26 November 2019, to discuss the economic value of cannabis, after the Constitutional Court decriminalised the use of cannabis in South Africa, in 2018. 

SABC News interviewed Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris and he said that the first commercial licences for cultivating cannabis have been issued. 

“There are a lot of places like Cape Town where there are strong medical and tertiary institutions for research capability. But you’ve also got sunshine and you can grow a product like cannabis, particularly in more scientific methods that production requires. 

There’s almost nowhere on earth where you’ve got all that with this kind of long history that really has hundreds of years of using cannabis for medical application, spiritual application. So, we think that’s a strong element of our offer,” said Harris. 

Israel Cannabis and Cannatech CEO, Saul Kaye said that cannabis will affect all of our lives. 

“As a patient, you will use it as medicine, if you’re in the agricultural sector, you will grow it for either food or medicine, or for fibres, or for building materials, plastics and fuel. 

There is a robust ecosystem already, with hundreds of years of cannabis growing knowledge, local cultivation, that we’re looking to take and bring into the legal value chain because cannabis shouldnt be illegal anyway,” said Kaye.    

Growing weed at home 

With the constitutional court ruling last year, declaring that growing cannabis at home fell under the right to privacy, there has been a newfound culture in the country. 

As reported on earlier by TheSouthAfrican.com, the legalisation has aided in normalising the practice of growing, as well as allowing the more experienced growers to come out with less fear of legal recourse. However, cannabis is legal to grow for personal use and remains illegal to sell. 

Growing weed can be a challenge. For outdoor growers, it can sometimes be easier to cultivate, depending on how fertile the land is and some growers may even find that their plants do all the hard work by themselves.

For most however, you will need to show your plant keen attention throughout its life cycle, as pests, nutritional deficiencies and excessive humidity can all create challenges in the growing process.

It is important that your plants receive as much sunlight as possible, as the process of photosynthesis is what is going to drive your plant forward and bring you that harvest. 

For a step-by-step guide to growing, click the link. 

South African company grows weed for you, legally 

A company called The Haze Club grows your weed for you and delivers it to your door. 

The club says it will professionally manage the growing process on behalf of members, looking after the plant from germination right through to drying and curing, and will deliver the end product to members’ doors.

“By supplying your own seeds your choice of strain is endless. Give us that special strain, we’ll grow it to perfection. Local seed banks such as CannaBank and Green Smoke Room provide quality genetics from international breeders, and serve as a great resource for information on cannabis strains,” said The Haze Club. 

“It’s your constitutional right to grow and use cannabis. Exercise that right and let us grow your cannabis for you. Growing your own cannabis may be 100% legal, but it’s not as simple as one might think. To achieve world-class quality, you need time and expertise to do it properly. We have both,” added The Haze Club. 

Note: South African law allows for the personal use and private cultivation of marijuana amongst adults. TheSouthAfrican.com does not support the illicit production or sale of marijuana.