Synergy Wellness is to launch its new ‘medibles’ concept at the upcoming Cannabis Expo in Sandton at the end of May.

The pioneering concept of taking cannabis edibles into the medical cannabis space, was partly in response to the recent ban on cannabis in foodstuffs (which has subsequently been lifted) and has at its core, regulatory compliance.

Synergy Wellness CEO Jon Hodes says those attending the Cannabis Expo, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 30 May to 1 June 2025, will have a sneak preview of the new product range.

The product range for the Expo includes CBD Pastilles, in four great flavors, and a powdered CBD naartjie hydration beverage. The first thousand visitors each day will be able to get a sample if they wish.

Synergy has created a new division, Synergy Medibles, to develop new products for the fast-growing number of medical cannabis patients as well as over-the-counter products that comply with the guidelines for CBD daily dosage limits (20 mg per day, with compliant trace elements of other cannabinoids), as specified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

Synergy Medibles emerged out of collaboration with Plant Inc, a specialist company that uses modern food science techniques to develop functional botanical compounds for innovative new product categories. Among its clients have been both national and international mainstream companies, and products developed for clients have received local and international awards. 

Robin Grobler is the director of Plant Inc and will head up Synergy Medibles.

Grobler, told Cannabiz Africa in an exclusive interview on 28 April 2025 that the ‘medibles’ concept was initially conceived in 2021 with a vision to combine professional food and beverage product development with compliant cannabis production.

“This vision recognized the importance of meeting stringent regulatory standards from the outset” says Grobler, who emphasizes that a lot of groundwork has been done to ensure that the products fall within the existing rules, but not as a foodstuff like other edibles.

“Our 'Medibles' are different, they are not regulated as everyday food” says Grobler. “Instead, because of what they're made for and what they contain, they will all be overseen by SAHPRA who makes sure health-related products are safe and do what they say they do.“

Grobler explains that Synergy Medibles products “will all fall under what's called 'Complementary Medicines', and more specifically, they're most likely in the 'Health Supplements' category.

“So, to put it simply, our ‘Medibles' are not considered ‘Foodstuffs’, they will be health products” he says.

Synergy Wellness, the country’s largest medical cannabis service provider has around 250 collection points around the country – these are legal pick up points for medical cannabis patients registered under Section 21 of the Medicines Act (which allows doctors to prescribe cannabis to patients for a number of conditions).

The Synergy Group has a number of SAHPRA licensed cannabis facilities in Gauteng to service the growing number of medical cannabis patients. Although SAHPRA has not released official figures, Cannabiz Africa understands that it has over 20 000 registered medical cannabis patients on its books.

Grobler says there are exciting times ahead: “We have a professional product development team with more than thirty years’ experience, and are constantly developing and improving products. Synergy Medibles are also in the process of establishing an international collaboration with industry specialists, which will position the group at the forefront of the global 'medibles' sector.”

#