The 1998 white paper on local government suggests four intertwined attributes of a developmental local sphere of government. These are capitalising on social development and economic growth, integrating and co-ordinating, inclusive development, and leading and learning.
In line with the white paper, cannabis farming for medicinal purposes should be integral to developing local economies.
SMMEs ought to be the backbone of local economic development, especially in rural economic spaces.
But they battle to access markets in industries catered to by large businesses due to strict market structures in a highly regulated situation.
SMMEs are vulnerable when collaborating with large firms since such relationships often favour the larger firms.
In this context, laws and policies regulating the cannabis industry could create an enabling environment for the SMME sector, promote economic growth and create desperately needed employment opportunities.
Sharp focus must be placed on the SMME sector when laws and policies are developed.
Recent Comments