South Africa’s cannabis industry is facing a major setback due to a new directive from Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi. The directive has imposed a ban on the manufacture and sale of non-medicinal cannabis products. This unexpected decision has sparked outrage among businesses that have invested millions and adhered to all regulations.
Tebogo Tlhopane, chairperson of the Cannabis Trade Association Africa, expressed concerns about the impact of the ban. He highlighted that the directive includes a blanket prohibition on edibles containing hemp and its derivatives, such as CBD products. This ban would eliminate nutritious hemp-derived proteins, which are known for their complete amino acid profile. Tlhopane noted that this removal would disrupt ongoing research and development projects with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), particularly those aimed at creating beneficial nutrition bars for children.
The ban has caused significant disruptions within the industry, with many products being pulled from major retailers. Tlhopane emphasized that this action undermines efforts to formalize the cannabis industry and maximize its potential benefits.
The suddenness of the decision has left many in the industry shocked. Tlhopane revealed that the minister’s signature on the directive was dated back to January, yet there was no communication about the changes until the directive was published on March 7. This lack of transparency has raised concerns, especially since the industry was actively involved in developing the Cannabis Master Plan and had established intergovernmental committees to implement it.
