Tensions over hemp cultivation in Mpondoland have escalated, prompting Medigrow CEO Edgar Adams to take swift action. The company has withdrawn hemp seeds distributed to select farmers and engaged with the Mpondoland Cannabis Belt Association (MCBA) to reassure them that their traditional landrace strains remain protected.
Medigrow’s Role in the Eastern Cape’s Cannabis Industry
Medigrow is working in partnership with the Eastern Cape government to establish a robust industrial cannabis sector, centered around the Coega industrial zone near Gqeberha. The company has committed R1 billion to the initiative, with over R200 million already invested. The Eastern Cape government has contributed an additional R4 million, and Medigrow forecasts a potential R6 billion economic boost over the next five years, with up to 30,000 small-scale farmers set to benefit.
Concerns Over Hemp’s Impact on Local Landraces
Despite the project’s promise, controversy arose when the first batch of hemp seeds was distributed in late January 2025. Legacy cannabis growers raised concerns that the introduction of low-THC imported hemp seeds could threaten their high-THC indigenous landrace varieties.
The Mpondoland Cannabis Belt Association (MCBA), which represents eight municipalities in the Eastern Cape, firmly opposed hemp cultivation in Mpondoland. The MCBA accused the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) of misleading them about the type of seeds being planted, citing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that emphasized the protection of local landraces.
Medigrow Shifts Responsibility to ECRDA
In a statement issued to Cannabiz Africa on 26 February 2025, Edgar Adams clarified that Medigrow was not responsible for selecting the farmers who received the hemp seeds. He stated that the ECRDA handled the selection process in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Hemp Producers Association (ECHPA), with Medigrow acting as an offtake partner for hemp products.
Adams emphasized that all involved parties were aware of the designated “cannabis belt” that separates hemp-growing zones from landrace cultivation areas. However, he acknowledged that misunderstandings had arisen regarding the exact boundaries of these zones.
Resolving the Dispute
To address concerns, Adams confirmed that:
- The ECRDA had invited MCBA representatives for discussions.
- An agreement was reached to remove the hemp seeds from affected areas.
- Medigrow engaged directly with MCBA’s Mr. Dlamini in a meeting arranged by Open Farms’ Shaad Vayej.
- The issue had been clarified and resolved between the involved parties.
Awaiting ECRDA’s Response
Despite Medigrow’s efforts to defuse tensions, the ECRDA has yet to publicly comment on the controversy. With legacy cannabis farmers standing firm on preserving their landraces, the future of industrial hemp in Mpondoland remains uncertain.