Cannabis Timeline -

20,000 BCE

20,000 Years Ago: Dawn of Human Cannabis Interaction in the Cannabis Timeline

In the vast expanse of the Cannabis Timeline, the earliest whispers of human engagement with this versatile plant known as weed, dagga, or cannabis date back an astonishing 20,000 years.

This revelation, drawn from the latest research highlighted by Cannanaskis, positions it as the inaugural milestone, far predating agriculture or recorded history. During the Palaeolithic era, nomadic hunter gatherers in the Tibetan Plateau region

likely encountered and utilized cannabis, harnessing its multifaceted properties to endure the harsh Ice Age.

From potential medicinal aids to practical fibres, dagga’s adaptability may have been a key ally for early humans navigating a frozen world.

1500–1000 BCE

Circa 1500-1000 BCE: Cannabis in the Vedas Sacred Plant of Liberation in the Cannabis Timeline

In the evolving narrative of the Cannabis Timeline, while archaeological evidence points to one of the earliest uses of cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis dating back over 10,000 years in an ancient village site in Taiwan, a profound spiritual dimension emerges in ancient India.

The Atharvaveda, one of Hinduism’s foundational texts from around 1500-1000 BCE, names “bhang” as one of five sacred plants, revered for its power to “deliver us from woe.”

Cannabis was honoured not merely as a medicine but as a divine spiritual ally.

This ancient scripture describes bhang, a potent cannabis preparation, as a sacred plant that frees the mind from fear and anxiety, fostering liberation and inner peace. Intimately linked with Lord Shiva, dagga in the form of bhang evolved into a ritual drink integral to ceremonies, invoking clarity, courage, and a profound connection to the divine.

2500 BCE

2500 BCE: Cannabis Seeds in Romania’s Yamnaya Culture in the Cannabis Timeline

In the unfolding saga of the Cannabis Timeline, a pivotal discovery emerges around 2500 BCE with the unearthing of carbonized cannabis seeds emblematic of weed, dagga, or cannabis in a Yamnaya burial site in modern-day Romania.

This finding illuminates the plant’s role among the proto Indo European Yamnaya culture, a nomadic group of herders and warriors.

Archaeologists suggest that dagga was integral to their rituals, possibly burned or ingested to facilitate spiritual journeys, communal rites, or connections to the afterlife, showcasing cannabis’s early significance in ceremonial practices across ancient Eurasia.

1279-1213 BCE

Circa 1279-1213 BCE: Cannabis in Egyptian Tombs in the Cannabis Timeline

In the rich tapestry of the Cannabis Timeline, traces of cannabis pollen markers of weed, dagga, or cannabis have been detected on the mummy of Pharaoh Ramesses II, hinting at its incorporation in ancient Egyptian practices.

This suggests dagga’s role in embalming rituals or as a sacred offering to accompany the pharaoh into the afterlife.

Unlike the later North African traditions of smoking cannabis, the Egyptians likely burned it as incense during mummification, a nuanced and subtle application that is often overlooked in popular historical narratives, underscoring the plant’s versatile spiritual and preservative uses in antiquity.

1500-1200 BCE

Circa 1500-1200 BCE: Cannabis in the Rigveda (India) in the Cannabis Timeline

In the ancient layers of the Cannabis Timeline, the Rigveda, a foundational Hindu text from India, extols “bhang” a revered cannabis preparation known as weed, dagga, or cannabis as one of five sacred plants.

This veneration highlights dagga’s ritualistic role, where it was employed in ceremonies to “release us from anxiety,” fostering spiritual release, tranquillity, and a deeper communion with the divine in early Vedic traditions.

1200 BCE

Cannabis in Scythian Funerary Rites (Central Asia)

In the nomadic chapters of the Cannabis Timeline, the Scythians of Central Asia fierce horse riding warriors incorporated cannabis, known as weed, dagga, or cannabis, into their funerary rites.

They utilized small, portable tents for inhalation, creating vapor baths by heating dagga seeds and flowers over hot stones, an innovative early precursor to smoking pipes.

This method, which facilitated communal euphoria and spiritual cleansing, took centuries to migrate southward, eventually influencing traditions in regions like southern Africa where dagga would later become deeply woven into cultural practices.

1000-1200 BCE

Circa 1200 CE: Cannabis Enters North Africa via Syria in the Cannabis Timeline

In the migratory paths of the Cannabis Timeline, cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis likely made its way into North Africa through Syrian trade routes, with evidence indicating edible consumption that predated the later practice of smoking.

This pivotal moment bridges the plant’s ancient Asian origins with its gradual adoption across African cultures, highlighting dagga’s remarkable versatility in adapting to new societies and uses.

Some speculations suggest that cannabis was traded alongside luxury items like frankincense, integrating it into elite goods networks rather than as an isolated crop a fascinating angle that remains underexplored in many historical accounts.

500 BCE

Cannabis in Nubian Medicine (Sudan) in the Cannabis Timeline

In the fierce warrior kingdoms along the Upper Nile within the Cannabis Timeline, Nubian healers of the Kingdom of Kush (modern Sudan) turned to cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis for practical battlefield medicine.

Plant remains from archaeological sites reveal its use in topical poultices to ease pain and inflammation from wounds and injuries.

While neighbouring Egypt leaned toward ritual and incense, the Kushites favoured direct external application, underscoring dagga’s versatility as a no nonsense analgesic in one of Africa’s most powerful ancient civilisations.

145-208 BCE

Cannabis in Han Dynasty China Surgical Anaesthesia in the Cannabis Timeline

In the innovative medical annals of the Cannabis Timeline, the renowned Chinese surgeon Hua Tuo of the Han Dynasty pioneered the use of cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis by blending it with wine to formulate “mafeisan,” a groundbreaking anesthetic for surgical procedures.

This potent mixture allowed for pain free operations, marking an early milestone in dagga’s application as a medicinal aid, revolutionizing ancient surgery and highlighting the plant’s profound role in alleviating human suffering through induced unconsciousness.

Circa 40-90 CE

Dioscorides’ Roman Cannabis Recipe (Greece/Italy)

In the expansive medical compendiums of the Cannabis Timeline, the Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides, serving in the Roman army, incorporated cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis into his influential De Materia Medica, prescribing its juice for earaches and inflammation.

This widely copied text disseminated cannabis knowledge throughout the Roman Empire, including North Africa, intertwining medicine with imperial conquest, while his lesser known suggestion of heating cannabis seeds in oil offered a DIY topical remedy that presages modern infused balms.

As an early bridge between folk healing and documented science, it influenced herbalists for centuries, underscoring dagga’s enduring legacy in blending tradition with therapeutic innovation.

1500 CE

Cannabis in Zulu Prehistory

In the vibrant oral traditions of the Cannabis Timeline, the Zulu people of southern Africa embraced cannabis known as weed, dagga, or insangu for smoking in social settings long before European contact, weaving it into communal gatherings and cultural practices.

This prehistoric integration underscores dagga’s role as a social lubricant and ritual enhancer, preserving its legacy through generations of storytelling in one of the continent’s dynamic indigenous societies.

1533 CE

Henry VIII Mandates Hemp Cultivation (England)

In the maritime ambitions of the Cannabis Timeline, King Henry VIII of England decreed that farmers must cultivate hemp known as weed, dagga, or cannabis—to furnish the royal navy with essential ropes and sails, imposing fines on those who defied the order.

This royal mandate transformed dagga into a symbol of patriotic duty, highlighting its industrial prowess in a pre prohibition era, while lesser known grumblings from farmers about the labour intensive crop were offset by some quietly enjoying its smoke as an unofficial perk of compliance.

As a rare instance of a monarch championing cannabis cultivation, it starkly contrasts with future prohibitions, cementing its place in the plant’s storied history of utility and royal endorsement.

1580s

Appetite Suppressing Cannabis in South-eastern Africa

In the adaptive agricultural heritage of the Cannabis Timeline, indigenous farmers in south-eastern Africa selectively bred a cannabis strain known as weed, dagga, or cannabis rich in tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), prized as an appetite suppressant to combat hunger in a region vulnerable to food scarcity.

Unlike the psychoactive emphasis found elsewhere, this lesser known strain represented a practical adaptation, highlighting dagga’s tailored utility in sustaining communities through innovative, survival driven cultivation that diverged from global norms.

1652

Cannabis Meets Dutch Settlers in South Africa in the Cannabis Timeline

In the colonial encounters of the Cannabis Timeline, Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the Cape Colony, documented the use of “daccha” known as weed, dagga, or cannabis among the indigenous Khoisan peoples upon the Dutch arrival, noting its integration into their cultural practices.

This early record highlights dagga’s established presence in southern Africa, bridging native traditions with European observation and setting the stage for its evolving role amid colonial expansion and cross cultural exchanges.

1680-1700

Dutch East India Company’s Cannabis Monopoly Attempt in the Cannabis Timeline

The Dutch East India Company briefly sought to monopolize the sale of cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis in their colonial holdings, only to abandon the effort when rampant wild plants and entrenched indigenous trade networks eroded profitability.

This lesser known episode reveals dagga’s resilient ubiquity in southern Africa, thwarting European commercial ambitions and illustrating the plant’s deep rooted integration into local economies and landscapes, far beyond the grasp of imperial control.

1790

Cannabis Ointments in Mozambique in the Cannabis Timeline

Healers in Mozambique employed cannabis leaf extracts known as weed, dagga, or cannabis as topical medicines for ailments, a practice observed and recorded by early European explorers amid their voyages.

This encounter highlighted dagga’s entrenched role in indigenous healing traditions, bridging African herbal wisdom with emerging colonial documentation and illustrating the plant’s versatile therapeutic applications in diverse cultural landscapes.

1798

Napoleon’s Troops Encounter Hashish (Egypt)

In the clashing cultures of the Cannabis Timeline, Napoleon’s invading army in Egypt discovered hashish a concentrated form of cannabis, known as weed, dagga, or cannabis prevalent among locals, prompting the emperor to ban it in 1800 out of fear it would weaken his soldiers.

This memorable cultural collision introduced dagga to European awareness, igniting a mix of fascination and dread, while lesser known accounts reveal some French troops secretly embracing hashish and smuggling it home, planting early seeds of a counterculture.

As a pivotal shift from local tradition to global controversy, it marks cannabis’s entry into broader geopolitical narratives, deserving its spot for highlighting the plant’s transformative journey across continents and ideologies.

1830

Brazil’s First Cannabis Ban Targets Slaves

The Municipal Council of Rio de Janeiro enacted Brazil’s inaugural ban on cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis prohibiting its importation into the city and punishing its use specifically by enslaved Africans transported by the Portuguese, amid efforts to control labour productivity on plantations.

This targeted prohibition highlighted dagga’s entanglement with racial hierarchies and imperial exploitation, setting a precedent for prohibitionist policies rooted in social control rather than health concerns, and marking an early pivot in the plant’s history from cultural staple to regulated vice.

1842

William Brooke O’Shaughnessy Find Cannabis

Irish physician William Brooke O’Shaughnessy discovered cannabis while residing in India during the 1830s, experimenting with its therapeutic properties before returning to England in 1842 with a supply that ignited its rapid dissemination across Europe and the United States.

This pivotal introduction bridged Eastern traditions with Western medicine, propelling dagga into mainstream pharmacological discourse and laying the groundwork for its evolving global recognition as a versatile remedy.

1850

Weed was entered into the United States Pharmacopeia

Cannabis was officially incorporated into the United States Pharmacopeia as a recognized medicinal substance, recommended for treating conditions like neuralgia, tetanus, and convulsions, building on insights from pioneers like William Brooke O’Shaughnessy.

This milestone elevated dagga’s status in American healthcare, integrating it into pharmaceutical practices and underscoring its transition from exotic import to mainstream remedy in a burgeoning era of Western medicine.

1870

South Africa Coolie Law Targets Indian Workers

South Africa’s “Coolie Law” Targets Indian Workers

The Natal Colony in South Africa enacted the Coolie Law Consolidation, banning the smoking, use, or possession of cannabis known as weed, dagga, or cannabis by Indian indentured laborers, who had introduced the plant from India amid their migration for plantation work.

This targeted prohibition, which also barred its sale or gifting to such workers, exemplified early colonial efforts to control immigrant cultures and labour, marking dagga’s shift from a transported tradition to a regulated substance in the emerging framework of racially motivated drug laws.

1890

Queen Victoria’s Cannabis Tincture (UK)

In the regal remedies of the Cannabis Timeline, Sir J. Russell Reynolds, Queen Victoria’s personal physician, prescribed a cannabis tincture as weed, dagga, or cannabis for her menstrual cramps, later publishing its benefits in The Lancet and hailing it as “one of the most valuable medicines we possess” in a lesser known bold endorsement amid looming prohibition.

This memorable royal usage normalized dagga in elite Victorian circles, starkly clashing with emerging moral panics, and serves as a regal footnote capturing the plant’s medicinal zenith before its descent into controversy, bridging high society with herbal healing traditions.

1922

Criminalization under Customs and Excise Duty Act.

South Africa enacted the Customs and Excise Duties Amendment Act No. 35, nationally criminalizing the possession, use, and trade of cannabis amid efforts to regulate intoxicants and bolster controls over black labour and mobility in the segregated society.

This landmark prohibition, rooted in colonial anxieties over productivity and social order, formalized dagga’s status as an illicit substance, setting a precedent for racially inflected drug policies that echoed through decades of apartheid era enforcement and marked a turning point from tolerated cultural use to stringent criminal suppression.

1925

Geneva Opium Conference Extends International Controls to Cannabis, Backed by South Africa

In a landmark development for the Cannabis Timeline, the 1925 Second International Opium Convention in Geneva introduced global regulations on Indian hemp, commonly known as cannabis or dagga in South Africa.

Driven by strong advocacy from Egypt, Italy, and South Africa where weed had already been prohibited domestically in 1922 the treaty restricted cannabis extracts, tinctures, and resins primarily to medical and scientific uses.

It banned exports to countries that outlawed the plant and aimed to combat illicit international trafficking, setting the stage for broader prohibitions on dagga and weed worldwide while allowing some domestic leeway for traditional practices.

1928

South Africa Implements Cannabis Ban Through Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Act Amid Global Pressure

South Africa passed the Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Act in 1928, formally outlawing cannabis known locally as dagga or weed under mounting international influence from the 1925 Geneva Opium Conference.

This legislation abruptly halted centuries of accepted use among indigenous Khoisan, Xhosa, and Indian communities, who had long integrated the plant into traditional healing and cultural practices.

Despite petitions from local healers protesting the loss of this essential remedy, colonial authorities prioritized alignment with emerging global drug controls, effectively silencing dagga’s role in South African society for generations and paving the way for stricter enforcement against weed cultivation and trade.

1936

Release of “Reefer Madness” Sparks Global Anti Cannabis Hysteria

The propaganda film “Reefer Madness” premiered in the United States, portraying cannabis often called weed or marijuana as a dangerous gateway to madness, violence, and criminality, with funding from a church group aiming to demonize the plant.

This exaggerated scare campaign, filled with sensational depictions of dagga-induced chaos, fuelled worldwide prohibition efforts and ingrained public fears that influenced anti weed policies for decades, overshadowing any scientific discourse.

Though it initially bombed at the box office due to its sheer absurdity, the movie later resurfaced as a cult classic, ironically highlighting how it crystallized cultural paranoia around cannabis rather than reflecting reality.

August 1937

The U.S. passes the Marihuana Tax Act

The United States passed the Marihuana Tax Act in 1937, effectively outlawing cannabis referred to as marijuana or weed through prohibitive taxes and regulations on its cultivation, sale, and possession, driven by sensationalist campaigns that painted the plant as a societal menace.

This federal move not only solidified domestic prohibition but also influenced international attitudes toward dagga and weed, encouraging stricter controls worldwide.

In South Africa, where cannabis had already been banned, authorities ramped up raids on users and growers, yet resilient underground networks ensured that dagga’s traditional and recreational use persisted among communities, defying the growing wave of global suppression.

1937

Samuel R. Caldwell’s Arrest Marks First Federal Cannabis Conviction in the U.S., Igniting Nationwide Prohibition

Just one day after the Marihuana Tax Act took effect Samuel R. Caldwell, a 57 year old unemployed labourer, became the inaugural individual arrested and convicted for selling cannabis under U.S. federal law.

Caught in a Denver hotel with several pounds of weed, Caldwell received a harsh sentence of four years of hard labour at Leavenworth Penitentiary plus a $1,000 fine, symbolizing the dawn of aggressive federal crackdowns on dagga and marijuana.

This case set a chilling precedent that reinforced cannabis prohibition across the United States, shaping global drug policies and suppressing weed’s cultural and recreational roles for decades to come.

1940

CBD (Cannabidiol) Isolated by Roger Adams (USA)

Roger Adams and his team at the University of Illinois isolated cannabidiol (CBD) a non psychoactive compound from marijuana, in 1940, extracting it from wild Minnesota hemp.

This discovery, detailed in patents and publications by 1942, highlighted dagga’s complex chemistry and potential beyond recreational use, though its full molecular structure wasn’t elucidated until 1963, paving the way for modern research into cannabis’s therapeutic benefits amid ongoing global prohibitions on weed.

1941

Cannabis Removed from U.S. Pharmacopeia, Cementing Shift to Prohibition and Influencing Global Views

Weed was officially removed from the United States Pharmacopeia in 1941, marking a decisive pivot from its long standing recognition as a medicinal substance to outright prohibition amid rising anti drug sentiments.

This action not only diminished dagga’s legitimacy in medical contexts within the U.S. but also rippled internationally, bolstering prohibitive attitudes worldwide and reinforcing South Africa’s already stringent bans on weed, further entrenching global restrictions that overlooked cannabis’s historical therapeutic roles.

1961

UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs Designates Cannabis as Schedule I and IV, Imposing Worldwide Bans and Heightening South African Restrictions

The United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961 classified cannabis commonly termed marijuana or weed as a Schedule I substance with high abuse potential and no accepted medical value, alongside Schedule IV for limited therapeutic utility, mandating global prohibition on its cultivation, distribution, and non scientific use.

South Africa reinforced its alignment by escalating controls on dagga, criminalizing possession and trade more severely and aligning local policies with the treaty’s framework to curb weed’s presence in society for years ahead.

1963

Yechiel Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam Elucidate the Structure of Cannabigerol (CBG) in Israel, Advancing Cannabis Chemistry

Israeli chemists Yechiel Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam determined the molecular structure of cannabigerol (CBG) a foundational cannabinoid in marijuana in 1963, building on their earlier work isolating compounds from hashish.

Often called the “mother of all cannabinoids” due to its role as a precursor to THC and CBD in the plant’s biosynthesis, this discovery at the Weizmann Institute deepened understanding of dagga’s complex pharmacology, laying groundwork for future therapeutic explorations despite prevailing global prohibitions on weed.

1964

Raphael Mechoulam Isolates THC from Cannabis in Israel, Pioneering Psychoactive Research and Global Medical Insights

In a revolutionary scientific advancement for the Cannabis Timeline, Raphael Mechoulam and his team at the Weizmann Institute in Israel isolated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, commonly known as cannabis or weed in 1964, transforming the understanding of dagga’s effects on the human brain and igniting worldwide medical research into its potential benefits.

Notably under the radar, Mechoulam sourced hashish confiscated by Israeli police for the extraction, cleverly repurposing a legal seizure into a breakthrough, with his team even self administering the compound to verify its mind altering properties amid the era’s prohibitive stance on weed.

1970

U.S. Controlled Substances Act Designates Cannabis as Schedule I, Reinforcing Federal Bans Amid Counterculture Surge and South African Enforcement

The United States enacted the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, classifying cannabis commonly known as marijuana or weed as a Schedule I drug with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use, entrenching federal prohibition even as counterculture movements embraced dagga for recreational and spiritual purposes.

This legislation not only escalated domestic crackdowns but also bolstered international prohibitive frameworks, prompting South Africa to intensify its ongoing restrictions on weed, further criminalizing cultivation and possession in alignment with global anti cannabis policies.

1971

Convention on Psychotropic Substances Tightens Controls on Synthetic Cannabinoids While Upholding Bans on Natural Cannabis, Impacting Global and South African Policies

In a key international development for the Cannabis Timeline, the United Nations adopted the Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1971, introducing stricter regulations on synthetic cannabinoids and related compounds, while maintaining rigorous controls on natural cannabis under prior treaties, thereby limiting global trade and non medical uses.

This agreement reinforced prohibitions worldwide, prompting South Africa to enhance local enforcement against dagga, escalating crackdowns on cultivation, possession, and distribution amid the ongoing suppression of weed’s traditional and recreational roles in the region.

1976

The Netherlands Adopts Cannabis Tolerance Policy Through Revised Opium Act, Pioneering Global Decriminalization Model

In a trailblazing policy shift for the Cannabis Timeline, the Netherlands revised its Opium Act in 1976, differentiating “soft drugs” like cannabis from “hard drugs,” introducing the gedoogbeleid (tolerance policy) that permitted small-scale sales of up to 5 grams per person in licensed coffeeshops without outright legalization.

This decriminalized possession under 30 grams and encouraged police to overlook personal use, creating iconic hubs like Amsterdam’s Bulldog that became worldwide symbols of dagga-friendly culture, defying the 1961 UN Single Convention’s push for total bans.

Though not the first full legalization (that honour goes to Uruguay in 2013) and building on prior Dutch prohibitions, this deliberate move to avoid criminalizing users and small sellers set a gold standard for tolerance, inspiring later reforms in places like Portugal in 2001 and fuelling debates on weed decriminalization in South Africa.

1980

Helicopter Herbicide Drops in South Africa

South African police switch from burning cannabis crops to aerial herbicide spraying via helicopters, targeting rural growers.

This militarized approach mirrors tactics used in the U.S. “War on Drugs,” showing global influence on local policy.

The shift devastated small farmers who grew cannabis for traditional medicine, not just profit, a nuance often lost in official narratives.

1988

Cannabinoid Receptors Discovered by Allyn Howlett (USA)

Why Significant: This discovery reveals why THC works—it binds to receptors in the brain—launching the study of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Howlett’s team used a synthetic THC analog (CP-55,940) because natural THC was too scarce under U.S. drug laws, a workaround that cracked the puzzle.

1993

CBN (Cannabinol) Structure Clarified by Raphael Mechoulam (Israel)

Why Significant: CBN’s sedative effects hinted at cannabis’s diverse potential, beyond THC’s high.

Least Known: Early researchers dismissed CBN as a THC byproduct, but Mechoulam saw its value—today, it’s marketed for sleep, proving his foresight.

Context: This rounded out the major cannabinoids known at the time, refining the chemical map of cannabis.

1996

California becomes the first U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis via Proposition 215, igniting a global trend toward medical reform, though South Africa lags behind.

1996

Cannabis: The Facts, Human Rights and the Law, THE REPORT

The basis for the legal challenge which eventually led to the South African Constitutional Court’s recent historic decision to legalise personal cultivation and possession of cannabis for private use in South Africa.

2001

Canada legalizes medical cannabis nationwide, setting a precedent for regulated access and inspiring activists like The Dagga Couple in South Africa to push for change.

2009

The Dagga Party, founded by Jeremy Acton, begins advocating for cannabis legalization in South Africa, tapping into a growing global movement for reform.

2010

The Dagga Couple (Julian Stobbs and Myrtle Clarke) are arrested in South Africa, launching a high-profile legal battle against prohibition, echoing global fights for personal use rights.

2013

Fields of Green for All registers as a non-profit in South Africa, educating the public on cannabis benefits

2013

What Happened: On December 10, 2013, Uruguay’s Senate passed a law legalizing recreational cannabis, signed by President José Mujica. Adults over 18 could grow up to six plants, join cannabis clubs, or buy up to 40 grams monthly from pharmacies, with the state regulating production and sales.

Why It’s a Milestone: Unlike earlier decriminalization efforts (e.g., the Netherlands in 1976 tolerating sales in coffeeshops),

Uruguay’s move was a full, national legalization—the first of its kind globally.

It aimed to undercut illegal markets and prioritize harm reduction.

Lesser-Known Angle: The rollout was slow—pharmacies didn’t start selling until 2017 due to banking and regulatory hiccups, and only about 14 outlets served the whole country initially, showing the challenges of pioneering this path.

2014

Jamaica decriminalizes cannabis possession up to 2 ounces, reflecting a shift in the Caribbean and inspiring South African activists to challenge colonial-era laws.

2016

The Idea of DaggaBay is born we struggle for a long time finding service providers that will handle a cannabis marketplace.

Jan 2017

We finally find hosting providers as well as a pay gate that will allow us to sell cannabis related things as long as we don’t sell cannabis was the arrangement. We start with 37 Vendors from all over South Africa.

March 2017

Western Cape High Court rules private cannabis use laws unconstitutional on March 31

2018

South Africa’s Constitutional Court decriminalizes private use, possession, and cultivation on September 18

2018

Canada legalizes recreational cannabis, becoming the first G7 nation to do so, boosting global momentum.

2020

Daggabay launches DaggaBay Magazine in June, running for 12 issues, but pauses due to COVID 19.

2020

Julian Stobbs tragically lost his life to a fatal shooting, a profound loss that deeply affected the cannabis movement.

a true inspiration and a passionate activist but above all an amazing person. 💚

2021

Daggabay moves to Western Cape, expanding to Gauteng, KZN.

2022

Thailand legalizes cannabis for medical and limited recreational use, becoming the first Asian country to do so, while South Africa’s private use rights expand informally.

2023

Germany approves recreational cannabis legalization plans, signalling Europe’s shift.

2023

Colin Started Daggabay Trails, a community for like minded outdoor enthusiasts to share their adventures and connect with one another.

2023

Started DaggaBay Cannabis map but stopped this for various reasons main one being the privacy act, sorry guys no cannabis maps for SA.

2024

South Africa’s Cannabis for Private Purposes Act is signed on May 29, formalizing private use.

Daggabay pivots from a map app to community-based involvement.

2025

Daggabay plans articles, videos, and 11 unique products, focusing on community. Predictions suggest more countries, like the U.S. or Brazil, may legalize recreationally, continuing the global trend.

March 2025

The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024 comes into effect

The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024 has sparked mixed reactions within the cannabis community in South Africa. While some see it as a step forward, others are sceptical about its true impact.

2025 March

DTIC Vows to Revive Cannabis Master Plan Amid Hemp Ban Setbacks

26 March 2025

Lifting of the ban by the Presidency

The withdrawal of the prohibition means that CBD and THC infused foodstuffs are no longer outright banned under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Foodstuffs Act).

End OF March 2025

GOVERNMENT TO CONSULT OVER REGULATIONS OF CANNIBIS AND HEMP FOODSTUFFS

On March 25, 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the door for public input on regulating cannabis and hemp in South Africa

June 26, 2025 Thailand Reclassifies Cannabis for Medical Use Only

Thailand officially ended its three-year experiment with recreational cannabis on June 26, 2025

The Public Health Ministry reclassified cannabis flower buds as “controlled herbs”, restricting all use to medical purposes only. Sales now require a prescription from licensed practitioners, and businesses must obtain strict licenses to operate. Recreational use, online sales, advertising, and vending machine distribution are now banned

June 30, 2025

Cannabis Master Plan Stalls Amid Regulatory Gridlock

The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition confirmed that South Africa’s R30 billion cannabis industry remains stalled. The Cannabis Master Plan is still in draft form, awaiting final regulations from the Department of Justice. Commercial trade remains illegal, despite decriminalization of private use

10 July 2025

📅 July 2025 Cannabis Act Prepares for Lift-off

After more than a year since its signing, South Africa’s Cannabis for Private Purposes Act inches closer to implementation.

Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed regulations will be finalized by March 2026, pending feedback from departments like Health, Agriculture, and Trade.

🔥 The Act officially removes cannabis and its variants from the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, paving the way for lawful adult-use cultivation and consumption.

⚖️ However, the market remains undefined and riddled with red tape especially for medical and hemp sectors.

Entrepreneurs are still navigating murky legal waters with no clear framework for trade, taxation, or food products

11/22/2025

PROJECT INDLELA: THE WAY FORWARD

Historic dialogue kicks off with Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana, legacy growers, Rastafari, club operators & tech innovators. Moratorium on arrests demanded, regional hubs proposed, de scheduling pushed. Government listens ,now it’s time to act.

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