The agreement will set in motion the production and processing of cannabis and hemp at accelerated rates not yet seen in Africa. Biodata has also started research on medical cannabis as an opioid replacement for pain management. Sweetwaters, which Labat had acquired last month, comprises a team of highly skilled geneticists, breeders, growers and researchers. The research was approved by the pharma-ethics committee of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority in June last year. The MOU is another step towards building the cannabis giant – newly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange – into a global player, as it has been acquiring stakes and securing partners on three continents.