Banele Ginidza
The ban of cannabis in foodstuffs gazetted by Minister for Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, may come up for further legislative debate as opposition by at least two political parties and the business community mounts.
This is as the Democratic Alliance (DA), along with the GOOD Party, called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene on the ban gazetted by Motsoaledi on cannabis-based foodstuffs.
The notice specifies that the prohibition applies to any part of the plant or component of cannabis, including sativa, indica, ruderalis, hemp seed oil, or powder derivatives from the various species or subspecies.
DA's spokesperson on health, Michelle Clarke, on Tuesday said the unilateral ban by the Department of Health prompted negative public policy implications and the significant economic harm the decision could inflict on the fledgling hemp and cannabis industriedvertisement
“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,” she said, describing the ban of cannabis-based foodstuffs as reckless disregard for sound policy.
In response to questions by DA MP Toby Chance earlier this month, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said a draft Hemp and Cannabis Value Chain Master Plan discussion document will be finalised by the end of the 2025/26 fiscal year, and subsequently presented for stakeholder engagement to ensure co-creation and alignment moving forward.
Tau said this was a collaboration of the Department of Agriculture (DoA) with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to commission critical research focused on - Crop breeding for Hemp and Cannabis; Utilisation of fibre and other by-products; Plant disease surveillance and mitigation strategies; Indigenous germplasm collection (to preserve genetic diversity); and the Development of a sustainable seed system for these crops.
In addition, the ARC has successfully developed two new Hemp varieties, facilitated by technical and financial support from DoA. These advancements aim to strengthen South Africa’s agricultural innovation and position the country as a leader in the emerging Hemp industry.
GOOD Party secretary-general, Brett Herron, on Tuesday pointed to the absence of policy to regulate the sale of cannabis and hemp products.
“Without policy coherence regulating sales, it becomes difficult for the likes of the Minister of Health to regulate the sale of edible products and affords him the gap for their total ban,” he said.
Vanessa Jarvis-Findlay, founder and co-owner of NEKED, a private cannabis social club and dispensary, urged the government to work with established, responsible industry leaders to develop sensible regulations rather than resorting to blanket bans that only drive cannabis consumption underground.
Jarvis-Findlay said concerns regarding edibles have largely stemmed from misuse, irresponsible dosing, and unethical practices, which included people tricking others by secretly giving them THC-infused products, consumers ignoring dosage recommendations and consuming more than advised suppliers failing to clearly label products with THC content and dosage.
She also pointed to edibles being packaged to look like ordinary sweets, posing a risk to children and pets.
“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and should be condemned. Giving someone a cannabis edible without their knowledge is as unethical as drugging them. This is not responsible use,” she said.
Canna Trade Africa CEO, Myron Krost, expressed concern around this policy change arguing that it would see investors interested in the industry pulling out.
According to Krost, attempts to fight back this policy change were in motion with industry leaders coming together to start lobbying the government.
In previous discussions, Agbiz senior economist Wandile Sihlobo said that South Africa has “been slow in providing a new and clear regulatory path for this plant, and the licensing price has been somewhat prohibitive for some people.”
While broadly supportive of the cannabis industry, Sihlobo emphasised that the regulations must be duly followed.
“When we finally progress with regulations, I still believe that cannabis could be a catalyst for revitalising rural communities that are economically marginalised and excluded from the agriculture value chains,” said Sihlobo.
Additionally, he said that it could also create opportunities for ‘cannatourism’, especially in rural Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo.
“South Africa still can build a competitive edge in the cannabis industry even though countries such as Lesotho are the first movers,” said Sihlobo.
BUSINESS REPORT