Johannesburg – Thousands of businesses facing closure owing to the ban on cannabis and hemp foodstuff have received a reprieve.
Following a public outcry President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, (25 March 2025), announced that more consultations would take place and the ban on cannabis-based foodstuffs imposed the Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi would be lifted.
“In briefing the President, the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, expressed concern about unregulated imported foodstuffs flooding the South African market containing hemp and cannabis,” the Presidency said.
“President Ramaphosa has affirmed his support for more stakeholder consultation and public participation on the formulation of new regulations that will limit health risk and the negative impact of foodstuffs containing cannabis and hemp, particularly on minors,” the Presidency explained in a terse statement.
“In light of further stakeholder consultations, the Minister of Health will withdraw the Regulations under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act (Foodstuffs Act) to prohibit the sale, importation, and manufacture of foodstuffs containing hemp and cannabis.”
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the President, said the Department of Health will continue to consult broadly before publishing the revised regulations.
The move will come as a welcome relief to companies that deal in the sale, importation, and manufacture of foodstuffs containing hemp and cannabis.
Earlier this month the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it opposed the ban citing both the negative public policy implications and the significant economic harm this decision could inflict on South Africa’s growing hemp and cannabis industries.
Pressing for the lifting of the ban, Michele Clarke MP – DA Spokesperson on Health said on 18 March 2025: “South Africa’s hemp industry is vibrant, with over 1 400 licensed cultivation businesses and 400 SMMEs, all creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.
“The ban, however, risks stifling growth in this sector.
“The DA calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reverse this damaging regulation, which disregards public consultation and the voices of businesses and health experts.
“Instead of imposing restrictions, the government should support the hemp industry, which has the potential to boost jobs, improve public health, and drive sustainable economic development.”
The GOOD party also opposed the ban.
Good Party secretary-general Brett Herron pointed out that while the Constitutional Court decriminalised cannabis use in 2018, its sale remains unlawful.
Herron said that the minister’s role was meant to enable the trade by coming up with regulations and not to create constraints.
The confusion places the livelihoods of up to a million South Africans at risk.
