South African cannabis users receive major support

Since hemp was declared an agricultural crop, a total of 1,110 permits have been issued for its cultivation.

This follows the approval of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024.

Briefing media on Thursday following Cabinet’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Acting Minister in The Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa, said Cabinet received a briefing on the progress on the development of the Cannabis Master Plan, which aims to provide a framework for the establishment, growth and development of the cannabis and hemp industry in South Africa, to contribute to economic growth, poverty alleviation and job creation.

Support of Cannabis for Private Purposes

The Master Plan is anchored on nine pillars, including Effective Regulatory Services; Sustainable Seed Supply Systems; Research and Technology Development; Producer Support Systems; Market Development; Enterprise and Supplier Development; Manufacturing and Product Development; Education and Training, and Communication and Awareness.

Ramokgopa said the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has initiated the process of drafting the regulations in support of Cannabis for Private Purposes.

“The Department of Health, through the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, has concluded consultations on changes to the Schedules of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965).

“The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) concluded situational and value chain analysis on the Hemp and Cannabis sector in South Africa. The dtic will soon commence consultations on the Cannabis Commercialisation Policy,” Ramokgopa said.

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has also developed two hemp varieties and with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), is currently undergoing a second season of seed multiplication to make it available for the 2025 planting season.

“In May 2024, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development approved the Hemp Certification Scheme to regulate the varietal integrity and quality of hemp propagation material towards supporting the sustainable seed system of hemp. The DALRRD has commissioned research to the value of R124 million with the ARC, which focuses on Cannabis breeding for medicinal, fibre and other uses; Cannabis plant disease surveillance, indigenous germplasm collection and Cannabis seed system development.

“In Gauteng, in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 10 small, medium and micro enterprises were supported for product development. The DALRRD continues to consult provinces on commitments thus far. 

“To improve the capacity of the department to monitor the cultivation of hemp by permit holders, the ARC developed a detailed training programme for inspection services,” the Minister highlighted.