Pondoland: South Africa's cannabis growers left behind by legalisation plans

For generations, people in South Africa's Eastern Cape have made their living growing cannabis. You might expect that as the country moves to legalise the crop, they would be first in line to benefit, but that is not necessarily the case.

At a homestead near the riverbank, we meet a group of men, women and children tending to a fresh harvest. Their hands are stained green from plucking the cannabis heads all day. These growers have found themselves on the wrong side of the law many times, but the government's tough stance on cannabis looks set to change.which decriminalised the private use, possession and growing of cannabis.

"The government should be assisting the communities to grow so that they can compete with the world market. Here is a commodity growing so easily and organically. We are not jealous, the rich should also come in, but please accommodate the poorest of the poor," Mr Zueni says.Last year, the government unveiled a master plan for the industrialisation and commercialisation of the cannabis plant.

Although much still remains unclear, it seems the government is committed to opening up the industry, because the economic opportunities are too enticing to ignore. The plans have broad public support, with few dissenting voices.

VumaniMkhize Illegalization of drugs is legalization of illicit trades, smuggling and trafficking. How is it working out for us so far? This is what happens when we vote criminals in to the legislatures.

VumaniMkhize It's a good step,so that the government can reap some benefits from it through taxation. In fact, the cannabis business can't be eradicated simply it's another source of income for many. So legalising its production and sales in a controlled way is better.

VumaniMkhize They are left behind because they have a wrong skin tone

VumaniMkhize Make it legal. It’s medicine. It helps people with life.

VumaniMkhize I thank god cannabis is legal for recreational use in my state and hopefully soon becoming legal on a federal level. 420fam weedsmokers

VumaniMkhize Anywhere you are will get you this medical bud

VumaniMkhize Might be another economy dur What's the upfront cost of making sure doesn't become a terrorist organization?

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