It’s in the Research

IT'S IN THE
RESEARCH

Throughout the course of the past eighteen months, the CRI has gruellingly been working to bring cannabis analytical capabilities up to Department of Health and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) regulations to meet the Section 22C (1)(b) and Section 22D in together with Regulation 23 and 24 of the Medicines and Related Substance Act of 1965 license standards.

It allows participants in the cannabis industry to cultivate cannabis and cannabis resins, extract and test various forms of cannabis, manufacture cannabis containing medicine as well as import, export and distribute cannabis containing medicines within the parameters of the SAHPRA and the International Narcotic Controls Board (INCB).

A review of alternative research shows that more data is required in order to establish exactly how cannabis use ties in with general public health.

Information was reviewed based on the following:

1. Lifetime cannabis use
2. Age of first use
3. How often and where the use took place
4. Method of consumption
5. Source for cannabis
6. Reasons for using and type of cannabis
7. Overall opinions on cannabis

This would prove to be a challenge for health providers as researching and monitoring is significant for variation in data availability related to cannabis use including behaviours and perceptions and the availability of pre-legalisation versus post-legalisation data.

In addition to showing gaps in existing research, the idea behind compiling these surveys was to put all the information in one place so that researchers, cannabis legislators, and other interested parties can access it all at once and also see what does and doesn’t work. The surveys that included more than just yes-or-no questions provided more information, and the hope is that more in-depth survey methods will be used going forward. The most basic of these indicators in thinking about cannabis legalisation is how much do people use cannabis and are people changing the way in which they use it – are they using more edibles versus smoking it? Are there changes in how often they’re using it? And one thing that’s important from a public health perspective, who is using and how is that changing? For example, are adolescents using cannabis more frequently?

Surveys can also be altered and updated as part of this ongoing study, which can prove very helpful when looking to compare pre and post-legalisation data. Although this compiled research reveals that a lot more work needs to be done, it also provides a very helpful tool for future purposes.

Furthermore, development of addition research with a wide-ranging body of unbiased candidates are required to support studies and research on:

Product packaging, including consumer awareness and comprehension of warning labels and consumption advice.
Consumer perceptions of cannabis-related risk, such as the risk associated with driving while under the influence of cannabis.
The overall influence of advertising on consumption, including openness to use among youth.
Apprehensions to change to the regulated market, such as the updated influence of the price and the density of legalised outlets.
Chemical analysis of cannabis products, including errors in labelled and actual quantity of CBD; and potential chemical conversion of cannabis in certain environments.
The chemical stability of cannabis products in various storage features.
Pharmacology of cannabinoids, such as the cannabis genetic features associated with substance use disorder.
Safe consumption and safe storage messages for adults, including parents and tourists.
Guidance for consumers who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Let’s Talk About Cultivating Harmoniously

The South African cannabis community has been anxiously awaiting signs of progression, that would hopefully have stemmed from President Cyril Ramaphosa's speech at the most recent state of the nation address. While many of the industry and public stakeholders feel SAHPRA has purposefully ...

Is the Market REALLY Ready?

We’ve spoken at length about Market Readiness within the cannabis industry. From seed to CBD oil, stocked and ready to sell and all the politics in between, but have we done all we can as an Industry to ensure our own protection and sustainability? No!

Cultivating the Freedom and the Future

We stole a few moments of time from Myrtle Clarke, in between the Cannabis Expo's in Cape Town and Durban to get her take on what’s happening in the country right now and what it could mean for Cannabis South Africa moving ahead.

Cultivating Curiosity

We opened our doors on the 1st of August 2016 to meet the scientific and laboratory testing needs of the agricultural and food industries. SciCorp Laboratories evolved from a management buyout of the state-of-the art Analytical Services Laboratory of Incotec South Africa.

Cultivating a Healthy, Homegrown Industry

SilverLeaf Investments brings much needed resources to help cultivate a burgeoning industry that certainly could use a helping hand. The entire cannabis culture has grown around the values of “One Love” or “where we grow One, we grow All”, and so this is our approach to funding the Cannabis Industry.

Trailblazing Partners - Issue 6

Issue 5 - Innovation · Feb 17, 2022

Foreword - Issue 6

Issue 5 - Innovation · Feb 17, 2022

Issue 6 - Cover

Issue 6 - Cultivation

Issue 5 - Innovation · Feb 17, 2022

Let’s Talk About Cultivating Harmoniously

Is the Market REALLY Ready?

Cultivating the Freedom and the Future

Cultivating Curiosity

Cultivating a Healthy, Homegrown Industry

Trailblazing Partners - Issue 6

Foreword - Issue 6

Issue 6 - Cover

Evolved Magazine

Categories

Social Footprints