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LATEST ALERTS
View all Cannabis and cannabinoids in Africa
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Daily news alerts
Daily regulatory updates of legal changes in the cannabis sector, including monthly compilations
30th November 2023
South Africa: The Select Committee on Security and Justice is inviting stakeholders and interested parties to send in written submissions on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill until 19th January 2024. The bill would allow possession and cultivation for private purposes and sets a clear distinction between hemp and cannabis.15th November 2023
- South Africa: Yesterday (14th November), the National Assembly passed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, which allows possession and cultivation for private purposes and sets a clear distinction between hemp and cannabis. The bill will now be discussed in a selected committee before being tabled in the National Council of Provinces.
8th November 2023
- South Africa: The parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services approved the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. The bill, which was introduced in 2020, allows possession and cultivation for private purposes and sets a clear distinction between hemp and cannabis. It will now be debated in the National Assembly.
26th September 2023
- South Africa: The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services is currently considering amendments to the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. The committee has invited interested parties and industry members to make written submissions on alternative solutions by which to address the prohibition of use, possession and cultivation of cannabis by children (under-18s). Submissions should be emailed to cannabisbill@parliament.gov.za and must be received by 13th October 2023.
28th August 2023
- Uganda: After the annulment of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act 2016 in May 2023 by the Constitutional Court due to the absence of a legislative quorum, Parliament has passed the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Bill 2023. The bill, which needs to be assented by the president, allows the licensed farming and use of medical cannabis. It sets harsh penalties for offences related to substance abuse.
14th July 2023
- Ghana: Parliament has passed the Narcotics Control Commission (Amendment) Bill 2023, which will allow the Ministry of Interior to grant licences to cultivate hemp with up to 0.3% THC for industrial (fibre and seeds) and medicinal purposes, press reports. No details on the application process are provided in the bill, and the authority to oversee and regulate licences is granted solely to the Ministry of Interior.
26th June 2023
- South Africa: Regulatory reforms to enable the development of the hemp and cannabis sector were jointly agreed during an "Action Lab" organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Presidency, together with the provincial government, businesses and other industry members. The reform includes a review of the Medicines Act to allow cannabis to be grown for non-medical purposes, including industrial purposes, and to remove cannabis from the Drugs Act. A further consultation process on recreational cannabis involving all industry members was also mentioned.
25th May 2023
South Africa: The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has concluded a two-day public hearing on proposed amendments to the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. Stakeholders criticised the bill for not adequately addressing regulation of the cannabis industry, taxation and access to medical cannabis. The committee will begin deliberations on the bill next week.
18th May 2023
Morocco: The parliamentary Social Sectors Committee has held a meeting with the Economic, Social and Environmental Council on addiction and ways to combat it. The meeting recommended decriminalising possession of cannabis by individuals over 25. MP Mustafa Ibrahimine of the Justice and Development Party said in an interview that his party strongly opposed a move which he said would promote drug use and increase addiction. It is currently illegal in Morocco to buy, use or sell cannabis for recreational purposes.
27th April 2023
Morocco: The Customs and Excise Administration has issued a circular on the import and export of cannabis seeds. Imported seeds must be labelled with a number showing authorisation by the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (Anrac), the batch number, the plant variety, and the THC level. Currently, there is no catalogue of varieties allowed for cultivation in Morocco, and importing seeds is subject to a licence from the National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA) as well as Anrac authorisation.
6th April 2023
- South Africa: The Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has opened the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill for public comments. The bill was introduced in Parliament in September 2020, and sets a clear distinction between hemp and cannabis and allows specific quantities for possession and cultivation for private purposes. Comments can be submitted until 28th April 2023.
Regulatory reports
Comprehensive legal reports outlining how the sector is regulated, interpretation of the laws and relevant bodies
Regulatory databases
Regularly updated global regulations currently in place, compiled into easy-to-read maps and tables
