The CSIR’s cannabis programme has incubated 23 small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) to develop and market high-quality, regulatory compliant, safe, efficacious and affordable cannabis products for local and international markets.

This cannabis programme is supported by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (GDARDE) and the Department of Small Business Development.

Beneficiaries of the GDARDE-funded incubation programme include Broccoli Sweets, Yellow Rice and Pop Soda. Those supported by the DSI-funded incubation programme are Mimmie Trading, Jo-Anne Herbs, Umya we Mpuma, Shanti Natural Care, Mo’canna, Reapile and Higher Ground.

These enterprises have met all the requirements to receive commercially ready products from the CSIR. Market samples handed over to the enterprises were produced at a commercial scale in facilities approved for good manufacturing practices.

Explaining the process, Acting Research Group Leader of Agroprocessing, Phatheka Ndzotoyi, said, “The CSIR hosted sessions with the enterprises on regulations in the cannabis sector, compliance, quality and safety testing requirements, prototype development and branding/artwork regulations for nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and herbal remedies.”

“These sessions included a tour of agroprocessing facilities, where the enterprises observed the cannabis extraction process using the supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) equipment at the pilot plant and prototype development in our laboratories.”

Over 40 cannabidiol (CBD) infused and cannabis-based prototypes have been developed under the cannabis platform, including nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and herbal remedies. Products such as CBD gummies, CBD oil drops, CBD sodas (cola, lime and mango), CBD water, hair oils, pain relief creams, shower gel, face wash and face oil have been produced at a commercial scale and transferred to SMMEs to support commercialisation.

“The next phase of this project is to engage the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to provide commercialisation support to these enterprises. This includes scaling up the production of all the handed-over products and offering platforms to market their products through expos and trade shows,” says Ndzotoyi.

Eleven rural communities across South Africa are set to benefit from phase two of this initiative in the 2024/2025 fiscal year. The CSIR has received funding support from the DSI to integrate rural communities into formal cannabis value chains.