WHILE many people use weed to get high, Tshego Nkoana (21) has a different plan for cannabis.
The University of Johannesburg student from Tshwane told Daily Sun that he was growing weed at home to help people with stress, skin conditions and pain management.
“I process small amounts of cannabis. I make essential oils with half the production and sell the other half to pharmaceutical companies,” he said.
Tshego said essential oils helped people with skin problems as cannabis was proven to help with eczema and pimples.
“The cannabis we grow is high in cannabidiol – the main essential oil. It also helps with inflammation and pain, and is an alternative pain medication for paracetamol.”
Tshego said that stress and depression led him to cannabis.
“I had stress in high school. I was treated with antidepressants but they were expensive,” he said.
He did research on the internet and found cannabis.
“I am into this business to grow safe products instead of people having to go to the black market.”
With little knowledge of dealing with cannabis the legal way and all the red tape, Tshego was assisted by Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE).
“When I entered the AYE programme, I was taught systems and compliance. The programme taught me how to get a licence for a cannabis business. I have been assisted with outsourcing somebody I can give my cannabis to while I don’t have a licence.”
AYE regional head Theo Masago said they helped people with any legal business.
“We groom you to a level where you are bankable and fundable, then give you an opportunity to be funded as opposed to doing it directly yourself. We save young entrepreneurs time by helping them navigate the red tape.”
