Pot-themed products get their time in South AfricaNovember 17, 2018 - 12:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Marijuana is getting its time in South Africa's spotlight after being decriminalized in September, Voice of America says. The landmark constitutional court ruling, which still needs to be translated into law, allows South Africans to legally grow and consume their own cannabis at home. The ruling explicitly forbids dealing in marijuana products, meaning if you don't already have it, you can't buy or sell it. But the buzz around this long-forbidden plant is sparking a slew of pot-themed products on South African shelves. Poison City Brewing released a popular cannabis-infused beer right after the court ruling. "We sold out of our first batch of stock within 10 days of its release, and at the moment we brewed 100,000 liters for the next batch, which we've sold out already, so we've doubled that to 200,000 liters for the next batch. So it's absolutely incredible," said sales manager Natasha Nkonjera. None of these store-friendly products contain tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical that causes marijuana's "dazed and confused" effects, which is still considered a prohibited narcotic. Cannabis advocate Connor Davis released a hemp-infused gin through his family distillery, Monk's Gin. He says these novelty drinks are just the start of pot products in South Africa. "There are over 100,000 products that can come from cannabis," he said. "The industrial benefits of it — I mean, you can build an entire house from cannabis alone. From the insulation to the actual brickwork to your carpeting, to your linen, everything can be made from hemp. So that has incredible potential." South Africa — with its sunny and temperate weather and rich, arable land — has long been one of the world's top growers and exporters of illegal cannabis. But, with the change in law, the government's Department of Trade and Industry is now studying the economic potential of the plant. Davis says he believes the cannabis industry can help address South Africa's severe unemployment rates. "The statistics we have been comparing, from the United States to South Africa, potentially, immediately from day one, we've got at least 200,000 jobs to be given in the cannabis industry," he said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |