Sometimes, money is pissed down the drain, like that awful Cricket World Cup opening ceremony.

(We won’t speak of the disaster that was the Proteas’ opening match, either.)

In the case of the City of Cape Town’s plans for the production of medical cannabis, however, we doff our caps.

Making use of vacant land in Atlantis, it will “set the foundation to unlock Cape Town’s potential in this untapped sector”, along with “the resultant job creation opportunities that this emerging industry will present”.

Below from News24:

The set-up of the facility will bring with it an investment of R638 million in capital expenditure during the construction of phase one.

Additionally, a further R1.5bn will be invested during phase two which is expected to commence in about four year’s time…

“The City of Cape Town’s decision to release this erven in Atlantis is testament of our commitment to partner with the private sector to explore new opportunities to grow the economy,” said [James Vos, the mayoral committee member for economic opportunities and asset management].

Atlantis, said Vos, is known for its “green” economic opportunities, and this new industry can potentially bring significant income, jobs and skills development to the area.

Sorry, but at this point we have to crack the mandatory ‘Cape of Good Dope’ joke.

According to the City of Cape Town’s official press release, this is the second facility planned for Atlantis:

…a similar facility for the cultivation and processing of medicinal cannabis into oils and capsules is being developed on a private farm in close proximity to the industrial area.  Other locally-based players in the industry include a manufacturer of modular cannabis cultivation kits in shipping containers in Somerset West.

Hurray, something positive for the people of Somerset West.

A friendly reminder that you can now buy weed online, as well as CBD oils.

Happy, mellow Friday.

[sources:news24&coct]