TheCCF was born out of lived experience. After four years in the licensed sector, we’ve seen it all—export hurdles, suffocating regulations, businesses collapsing under red tape, and passionate entrepreneurs drained of their spark. The industry was supposed to empower, but too often it’s been about control and monopoly.

We thought:Surely this isn’t the South African way?

That’s when the Cannabis Master Plan caught our attention. Its goals of market development, inclusivity, and job creation reminded us of the spirit of Ubuntu—“I am because we are.” We realised it was time to step up, bridge the gap, and create a space where facilities, retailers, consumers, and communities can all rise together.

So, in 2025, the CCF took root. We may be new as an organisation, but we’re not new to the struggle—or the fight for change. Our team is made up of a licensed commercial cannabis farmer, an attorney, an accountant, and a pastor. Sounds like the start of a bad joke, right? But really, it’s just a group of everyday South Africans standing up for an industry we believe in.

What makes us different? We’re not regulators. We’re not here to dictate or drain your business with rules that don’t work. We’re here to empower retailers, amplify voices, and push for reforms that unlock jobs, skills, and opportunities—while making cannabis safer and more accessible for everyone.

Our journey has just begun, but already affiliates are joining, facilities are backing the mission, and even government departments like SAPS and the DTI are open to conversation. The early response has been clear: people are ready for collaboration over control.

The bigger picture? To breathe life into the vision of the Cannabis Master Plan and help shape an inclusive, thriving cannabis economy. Because at the end of the day, this industry isn’t built by faceless corporations—it’s built by people. People who believe in the plant, in the industry, and in the possibility of South Africa.

That’s our story. And if you’re reading this, it could be yours too