By Matšeliso Phulane
What comes to mind when you hear of a cannabis festival?
An event where people openly puff on the illicit drug, maybe? Well, not the Lesotho 420 Cannabis Expo Festival.
Lined up for April 20 2024 at Maseru Club, the cannabis festival will be an all-day affair starting at 10am and ending 6pm.
This is the first ever medical cannabis event to be held in Lesotho, and it is organised by Basotho Medical Herbs (PTY) LTD.
Tipped to be an annual event, the event is aimed at exposing an ordinary Mosotho to opportunities in the medical cannabis industry.
The organiser of the event, Matla-a-morena Lethunya, told theReporter in an interview this week that they want use the event to remove the stigma attached to medical cannabis.
“The general assumption in society is that the only use of cannabis is being consumed as a recreational drug.
“Our main aim with this expo is to educate and showcase all medical uses of cannabis and related opportunities in the industry. There are many uses of cannabis such as treatment of cancer, stress and anxiety,” said Lethunya, who is also the CEO of Basotho Medical Herbs.
He explained that the expo is one of the largest cannabis events in Africa. As a result, local and international licensed facilities will showcase and exhibit their final products, and explain their benefits.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to explore different stalls and have informed knowledge about medical products of their interest.
Attendees will have the chance to network with local facilities and overseas delegates, thereby forging an opportunity for further business relationships. The event offers the roundtable discussion rooms, networking and business spaces; private boardrooms and dedicated catering areas.
“The Expo is also a marketing strategy for finished cannabis products and live meetings between potential customers and investors. It is the biggest pool to get potential clients who are already aware of the cannabis sector and looking for different products.
“The event offers permitted and acceptable advertising for cannabis businesses and products. Besides the licensed facilities displaying their finished cannabis products, it is a great platform also for manufacturers, retailers and distributors of cultivation equipment, horticulture tools, processing equipment, storage equipment, and cannabis feeding/ nutrients, to showcase their products.
“Just like cannabis consumption accessories, cannabis related products, artists and fashion designers will get an opportunity to exhibit their products to the crowds of delegates and customers.
“Consultants and other professionals who offer cannabis-related services will have an opportunity to market their services to local facilities and international companies,” Lethunya said.
He noted that what inspired the event is that since the medical cannabis industry started in Lesotho, there has never been any public engagement by either government or respective farms hence he saw a need to bring all stakeholders and the public on board their educational programme.
“From 10am patrons will join like-minded industry professionals working in all aspects of the cannabis industry, including entrepreneurs, farmers, lawyers, marketers, licensed producers, investors, and many more at this premier event showcasing the best products, services and world-class speakers the industry has to offer.
“This is a place to learn and share everything that one needs to know about the cannabis industry, connect with other participants to create opportunities in various industries, medical cannabis, and many more.
“Later on, from 6pm are going to have full entertainment to celebrate the world or global cannabis day, with artists from both South Africa and Lesotho,” Lethunya indicated.
He said people should have no misgivings about attending the event as his company is a licensed medical company in Lesotho, and the event is also approved by minister of health and permitted by Lesotho Mounted Police Service.
“We have made the Lesotho police aware of our legal event to avoid any misunderstanding and unnecessary harassment.
“We are working within the legal framework. Our patrons can come and enjoy a day filled with business opportunities, fun and education,” he concluded.
Tickets are available at Ticket pro and via Ecocash. For more details, interested people can WhatsApp Lethunya at +27 73 974 8317.
