Atlanta’s “Hemp Lady of Africa” Makes History as Ghana Approves Cannabis & Hemp Licensing
Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson opens global pathways for Black farmers, diaspora investors, and cross-Atlantic cannabis enterprise
ATLANTA, GA — History is being written at the intersection of Atlanta entrepreneurship and African economic development.
Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson — widely known as “The Hemp Lady of Africa” — is celebrating a monumental milestone as Ghana officially passes licensing and fee structures for medicinal and industrial cannabis. The move opens regulated pathways for cultivation, processing, and export — and Johnson has been at the center of building that bridge.
As the first African-American woman to work across all sectors of Ghana’s cannabis industry, Johnson has positioned herself as a key connector between Black farmers in the U.S., diaspora investors, and African production networks.
This is more than legalization.
This is infrastructure.
From Amsterdam to Africa: A Global Journey
Born in Houston, raised in Canada, and refined in Atlanta, Johnson’s relationship with cannabis culture began at the 2001 Amsterdam Cannabis Cup. But it wasn’t just lifestyle — it became policy, advocacy, and economic strategy.
In 2018, she launched the 420 Save Access Rally, bringing together African-American cannabis policy leaders in one U.S. neighborhood on 4/20 — a first-of-its-kind gathering that elevated Black voices in the legalization conversation.
Now, that advocacy has scaled internationally.
Ghana’s Breakthrough: Why This Matters
Ghana’s formal licensing and fee approval marks a turning point in West African cannabis regulation. The country is emerging as a potential hub for medicinal cannabis production, industrial hemp cultivation, and global export.
For Black entrepreneurs and diaspora investors, this moment signals:
Structured legal pathways
Export-ready regulatory frameworks
Agricultural investment opportunities
Cross-border cannabis supply chain development
Johnson credits the Rastafari Council of Ghana — advocates of cannabis reform for over 50 years — for supporting early policy dialogue and grassroots momentum. She continues to align with the movement, ensuring historically excluded communities remain part of the economic equation.
Building the Infrastructure: CEMT Global & Black Soil Standard
Through her organization CEMT Global and its operational arm Black Soil Standard, Johnson has focused on execution — not just headlines.
Her initiatives include:
African Cannabis University — education and certification programs
Cannabis Research Institute in Ghana — policy and agronomy research
HempTech Conference Series — cross-Atlantic cannabis investment summits
Together, these platforms turn policy into participation.
“For too long, Black farmers in America have been shut out of opportunity and resources,” Johnson said.
“Now, we can create a global Black supply chain connecting diaspora investors, farmers, and African production — building wealth for our communities worldwide.”
A Transatlantic Economic Shift
Johnson’s work lands during Black History Month 2026 — a symbolic moment highlighting Atlanta as a hub for global Black entrepreneurship.
From hip-hop to tech, Atlanta has long influenced culture. Now, it is influencing agricultural and cannabis enterprise across continents.
This isn’t just cannabis.
It’s generational positioning.
What’s Next: Advisory Report & Investment Access
CEMT Global is preparing to release a comprehensive advisory report detailing Ghana and West African cannabis market opportunities.
The report will outline:
Licensing frameworks
Investment entry points
Regulatory compliance standards
Export readiness pathways
Diaspora partnership structures
Diaspora growers, investors, and cannabis entrepreneurs outside Africa are encouraged to engage with CEMT Global for certified, turn-key industry solutions.
About Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson
Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson, BAPSc, is a serial entrepreneur, goodwill ambassador for the State of Georgia, and founder of Partner With Africa. Known globally as “The Hemp Lady of Africa,” she is the first African-American woman to lead cannabis policy advocacy and enterprise development across Africa.
Her mission: create sustainable economic pathways for Black farmers, diaspora investors, and African agribusiness networks — while amplifying historically underrepresented communities, including the Rastafari movement in Ghana.
Media Contact
CEMT Global
Email: coopexecutives@gmail.com
Phone: +233 24 574 8797
