EC govt set plans in motion for ‘cannabis college’
The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in the Eastern Cape says they are in the process of drafting a business plan for a cannabis training centre in the province.
The department is attempting to lobby funds for the training center, which will be based in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality in Lusisiki.
This area is regarded as a prime spot for cannabis harvesting, forming part of what is known as the country’s ‘dagga belt’.
The Eastern Cape government will be converting an abandoned teacher’s college into the training center once the plan has been approved by cabinet.
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Departmental spokesperson Ayongezwa Lungisa says the area is buckling under high unemployment and these initiatives could be beneficial for economic development.
“Maybe in a space of two months we would be in a position to say this is how much that is required and this is when we think the college will start.
“One thing we need to do as well, is to really look into the legal framework in South Africa because we know in the past cannabis has been predominately used in our country for recreational purpose, how we want to pursue cannabis now is for economic purposes.”
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nomakhosazana Meth will approach cabinet with the proposal next week.
"On Wednesday next week, the MEC will have already approached cabinet to more or less approve a process of establishing the college in the Eastern Cape,” Lungisa says.