Cannabis stakeholders have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to rescind the Health Minister’s shock ban on cannabis foodstuffs. There’s been angry reaction within the industry to the sudden announcement last week of the cannabis ban in all foods and beverages, which includes hemp products already on sale.

Ban is Out of Step with International Best Practice

Tony Budden, a long-time hemp activist and co-founder of Hemporium, told Lets Grow Hemp that “This decision directly contradicts the president’s statements and the broader economic goals of the country. Hemp foods are widely accepted and consumed globally for their nutritional benefits—this move sets South Africa back,” 

He noted that countries like the United States, Canada, China, and members of the European Union have successfully integrated hemp into their food industries, generating significant economic value. Budden warned that the ban could damage investor confidence and stall the momentum the South African hemp industry was beginning to build.

Cheeba  Cannabis Academy has written an open letter to the President to intervene:

" This decision is not only a fundamental infringement on the rights of South African citizens but also a clear demonstration of the government’s failure to grasp the critical role that hemp can play in the country’s economic development, food security and job creation.

"This ill-conceived decision has already drawn negative attention from the international hemp industry and places South Africa at odds with global best practices. It is a regulatory misstep that threatens the credibility of the government’s commitment to fostering industrial hemp as a viable sector.

"We urge your office to take immediate action to reverse this unjustified ban and engage with industry stakeholders to develop rational, evidence-based policies that support—not obstruct—the growth of the hemp economy.

"Your leadership in rectifying this issue is critical and we request an urgent response. South Africa cannot afford to forfeit the opportunities that the hemp industry presents."

'Disconnect Between Government Actions and Intentions'

Darryl Weiss, director of South Africa’s only direct cannabis investment fund told Cannabiz Africa:

"It is evident that within our government, there is a disconnection between actions and intentions. This legislation starkly contradicts efforts in the presidential office, where the President has mandated the reduction of bureaucratic obstacles hindering the Cannabis and Hemp industries.

Annually in his SONA speeches, the President passionately advocates for the industry's immense potential to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and establish new revenue streams to aid our struggling economy. Yet, paradoxically, a minister appointed by the President is implementing laws that counteract these very goals".

Morris Beegle, publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, recently visited South Africa and spoke with local stakeholders and government officials, leaving with a strong sense of optimism about the industry’s future.

Commenting on the ban, he said “This decision feels like an about-face, It raises serious questions about the alignment and cohesion within the government.”

Plantlife.co.za speculates that the drastic move may be driven by:

• Public Safety Concerns – The government aims to curb unregulated cannabis edible production, where illegal manufacturers may use unsafe methods, leading to contaminated or overly potent products reaching minors and uninformed consumers.

• Regulatory Gaps – Currently, no national framework exists to regulate the safe production, testing, and marketing of cannabis edibles.

• Pressure from Big Pharma? – Some suspect lobbying from the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries, which stand to lose market share if cannabis-infused products become widely available.

• Internal Government Disputes – The contradiction between this new ban and the recently passed Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill (2024) suggests a lack of alignment within government policies.

Plantlife suggests that owners of businesses involved in foodstuffs which contain cannabis, should:

• Immediately cease sales of edibles to avoid legal penalties.

• Communicate transparently with customers about the current ban.

• Pivot strategically to legal cannabis products such as textiles, industrial hemp, cosmetics, and therapeutic non-food products.

• Join advocacy efforts led by industry leaders to push for clear and sensible cannabis edible regulations.

At the time of going to press, the Health Ministry had not responded to numerous media requests for more information