The Cape Town Tapes: Exploring Hemp Innovations in South Africa

Pioneering Hemp in Africa: Insights from South Africa's Hemp Leaders

Welcome back to the Let's Talk Hemp podcast, Volume Up! I'm your host, Morris Beagle, and today we're diving into the vibrant hemp and cannabis scene in Cape Town, South Africa. After an enriching experience at the Kenya Hemp Conference, I spent nearly three weeks in Cape Town, exploring the local industry and meeting some incredible people.

Highlights from Cape Town

Hemporium and the Hemp Hotel

I had the pleasure of staying at the Hemp Hotel, the tallest hemp structure in the world, with my colleague Paul Benham from the Hemp Plastic Company. The hotel used over 60 tons of hemp in its construction, offering a unique and sustainable experience. Hemporium, a hemp retail shop located in the same building, has been a pioneer in the industry since 1996. Tony Budden, the founder, shared insights into the versatility of hemp and the importance of creating a sustainable market.

Key Conversations

Tony Budden, Hemporium: Tony discussed the challenges and opportunities in the hemp industry, emphasizing the need for local hemp genetics and the potential of biophilic design in creating natural living spaces.

Trenton Birsch, Chiba Africa Hemp and Cannabis Training Academy: Trenton's academy is a government-approved and accredited school, providing essential training in hemp and cannabis cultivation.

Natie Ferreira, Daga Pharmacy Cannabis Farms: Natty, an ornamental horticulturist and agronomist, shared his expertise in hemp and cannabis genetics, highlighting the importance of local adaptation for successful cultivation.

Tanya Clarke, Invigrow: Tanya, who recently relocated from Malawi, has been a significant player in the hemp and cannabis industry. She discussed the regulatory landscape and the potential for regional markets in Africa.

Regulatory Insights

South Africa is making strides with new regulations, including a proposed 2% THC limit, which is more lenient than the current 0.2-0.3% in Europe and the US. This change could significantly benefit local farmers and the industry as a whole.

Future Prospects

The conversations I had in Cape Town were enlightening and inspiring. The local industry is poised for growth, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. I look forward to spending more time in South Africa and continuing to amplify the message of hemp's potential.

Sponsor Acknowledgment

A big thank you to our sponsor, Her Many Voices, a platform where grassroots activism meets indigenous wisdom to benefit all of Earth's inhabitants. Visit them at hermanyvoices.org

 

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Sponsorship00:00:45 - Cape Town Experience00:01:27 - NoCo Hemp Expo Announcement00:01:38 - Cape Town Highlights00:02:09 - The Hemp Hotel00:02:20 - Hemporium Store Overview00:03:13 - Interviews with Industry Leaders00:03:34 - Introduction to Cape Town Tapes00:03:46 - Hemporium Store Tour00:04:19 - Tony Budden Introduction00:04:34 - Hemporium's Mission00:05:16 - Industry Challenges and Opportunities00:05:59 - Relocation to Hemp Hotel00:06:10 - Hemp Hotel Features00:07:03 - Biophilic Design Concept00:07:39 - Global Hemp Industry Insights00:08:00 - 2% THC Regulation00:09:37 - Pioneering Hemp Regulations00:10:39 - Paul Benham's Commentary00:11:12 - Addressing THC Creep00:12:05 - Local vs. Imported Varieties00:13:08 - Building a Regional Market00:14:01 - Sustainable Industry Goals00:16:01 - Invitation to Cape Town00:16:26 - Future of Hemp Regulations00:17:08 - End Use Focus00:18:03 - Learning from Global Experiences00:18:13 - Interview with Tanya Clark00:19:01 - Tanya's Background and Malawi Experience00:19:38 - Ca