Amidst the global resurgence of interest in cannabis, South Africa grapples with the dual challenges and opportunities of establishing a regulated cannabis industry. While economic expectations soar, current licensing systems favor a select few corporations, sidelining traditional small-scale farmers. Urgent policy reforms are imperative to address this inequality, protect legacy farmers, and preserve regional strains, ensuring a socially just and economically sustainable cannabis landscape.
Tijmen Grooten is a development sociologist and graduate of Wageningen University. His research centres around the social impact of cannabis value chains in low-and middle- income countries. For his master’s thesis he spent three months among indigenous cannabis farmers in the South African Eastern Cape to illustrate how their livelihoods have fallen into economic distress. With more than 100 participants, the research offers a wide overview of the Dagga Belt cannabis economy and quantifies illicit cannabis cultivation, contributing to the policy revision process.
This publication is a collaborative effort that could not have been realised without rigorous interdisciplinary teamwork. First, I thank all cannabis farmers in the South African Dagga Belt who invited me with much hospitality into their homes and shared their experiences. Then, a special thanks goes out to Greek Zweni, Simon Sperring and Mfanekiso Bonke of the Umzimvubu Farmers Support Network, Philasande Mahlakata of the Abalimi BoMya Association and Myrtle Clarke, Leela Baer of Fields of Green for All who work tirelessly to promote an inclusive cannabis policy in South Africa. Lastly, I thank Pien Metaal, Tom Blickman and Etienne van Zyl who have improved the quality of this publication tremendously.
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