A recent Business Day report warns South Africa could miss out on a R40 billion hemp industry by 2040 without clear regulation and coordinated investment. Lester Kiewit speaks to Tony Budden, hemp and cannabis expert and co-founder of Hemporium, who says the country has strong climate and agricultural advantages but faces barriers from regulatory uncertainty and a lack of local processing infrastructure. Budden explains that hemp contains minimal THC, farmers need guaranteed buyers, and investors need reliable supply, while clearer policy and targeted support could unlock the sector’s potential for jobs, rural development and export growth.

Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. 

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