Rwanda in South Africa

News analysis

Global business and regulatory news covering the cannabis industry

South Africa inches forward towards long-awaited clarification on cannabis

13th April 2023

News analysis |

Developing countries could get economic boost from industrial hemp, says UN

25th January 2023

News analysis |

African countries legalise cannabinoids to help revive flagging economies

17th December 2021

News analysis |

South Africa’s new national cannabis plan could spark regional change

30th April 2021

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South Africa ends suspense at the last moment – legalisation is here to stay

26th May 2020

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Alerts

Daily regulatory updates of legal changes in the cannabis sector, including monthly compilations

15th March 2024: South Africa: The cabinet – consisting of the president, deputy president and ministers – received a progress report on the government’s strategy to industrialise the hemp sector at a meeting held on Wednesday (13th March). The agriculture minister said: “The Agricultural Research Council, with support from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), continues to develop hemp varieties to make seed available for the 2025 planting season.” The previously reported consultation on changes to the Schedules of the Medicines and Related Substances Act on medical cannabis was also highlighted.
28th February 2024: South Africa: The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has passed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. The bill would allow possession and cultivation for private purposes. Possession will be allowed in public places, but consumption will not. Maximum amounts for possession and cultivation will be established later through regulations. The bill will now be sent to the president for assent.
31st January 2024: South Africa: The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has responded to several comments from industry members on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, which allows possession and cultivation of cannabis for private purposes. The authority clarified that cannabis will not be able to be bought or sold, private and social cannabis clubs are not going to be legalised, and that this subject should be addressed by national legislation focused on commercialisation. The department added that many aspects of the law are still unclear, but they will be clarified in regulations by the relevant minister. The bill is currently being discussed by the department before being tabled in the National Council of Provinces.
17th January 2024: South Africa: The Ministry of Health has opened the public consultation on amendments to Schedule 6 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act. The amendments would allow consumer items or products containing THC to be used for private personal consumption if they have no pharmacological effect or medical purpose. Comments can be submitted until 14th March 2024.
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.
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.
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

South Africa: CBD and cannabis regulation, June 2023

20th June 2023

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Medical and recreational cannabis – a global overview

4th March 2022

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Regulatory report: South Africa, April 2021

1st April 2021

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Regulation of CBD in edibles: an international overview

25th November 2019

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International regulation of CBD in cosmetics: a global overview

21st November 2019

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Regulatory databases

Regularly updated global regulations currently in place, compiled into easy-to-read maps and tables

CannIntelligence policy tracker

12th March 2024

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Regulatory tracker: current global regulation of CBD, February

29th February 2024

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Regulatory tracker: current global regulation of recreational cannabis

21st February 2024

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Regulatory tracker: current global regulation of medical cannabis

21st February 2024

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Medical cannabis comparative analysis database

24th November 2023

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