ESWATINI LOSING OUT AS CANNABIS BEER HITS SA

MBABANE – Artists have sung about its legalisation and South Africa is taking it further, while Eswatini is still ‘thinking about it’.
The recent legalisation of marijuana in South Africa has received mixed feelings, but more positive than negative. So much so that there has been an experimental brewery setup to craft a lager-based hemp.
This initiative is by Poison City Brewery based in Durban, South Africa.
The distribution in major liquor stores began last month, shortly after the Constitutional Court decriminalised marijuana for personal use.
high
The contents of this beer are without THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the main mind-altering ingredient – meaning the beer won’t make you high due to the legal threshold.
“Hemp and hops – flower of the hop plant usually used in brewing - have very similar chemical characteristics, which makes beer-making that more interesting and viable,” said the Poison City Brewery co-owner, Andrew Schubert, in one of the South African publications.
It, nonetheless, presents pertinent questions for the Eswatini economy and illegal markets.
How are we to deal with devaluing of the illegal marijuana, as it was a source of livelihood for many growers?
What is to be done with the possible import of hemp-based products?
Former minister of Housing and Urban Development Phiwayinkosi Mabuza believes Eswatini had lost out on many opportunities, or first mover benefits.
“The perception of marijuana has been exaggerated because there are many beneficial applications over the negative effects – a classic case of using a hammer to kill a fly,” said Mabuza.
clothing
The most outstanding are the medicinal purposes, as well as in constructing materials and clothing.
Mabuza further reiterated that this new legislation puts an imperative on the nation to revise the legal standing of marijuana.
“We need to establish a formal industry to assist those growing it because they have lost more,” stated Mabuza.
He said it was imperative for the country to enhance its education and regulation to be effective in managing the possible spill-over from South Africa – that is, if it is legalised.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati stated, “this is a complex matter and needs time to be clearly addressed. However, the stance of the law is known.”
A grower, who preferred anonymity, said it would be best if the incoming legislators made means for them to compete with their South African counterparts, because the dagga grew well in the country.
“We can save time and efforts investing in this plant rather than looking for investors far flung,” said Mabuza, a sentiment that the anonymous marijuana grower also came to understand and agree on.

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