South African Cannabis and Hemp Industry Development Association (SACHIDA) chairman Katelgo Khopotse (pictured here) says the industry is committed to working with the Department of Health to develop responsible guidelines for cannabis in foodstuffs.

Khopotse, who’s also chair of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa), said the withdrawal of the Government Gazette notice 52227 by Dr Aaron Motsoaledi was a “positive and progressive step that demonstrates the Minister’s willingness to listen to the voices of South African farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs and the broader public who expressed deep concern about the impact of the regulations on food security, economic opportunity, and innovation.”

He said stakeholder ourage over the ban was justified and commended Dr Motsoaledi for “opening the door to consultative engagement with the industry.”

Khopotse said the decision paved way for the responsible development of a thriving hemp and cannabis sector that is capable of tackling malnutrition through:

• the introduction of safe, nutrient-dense superfoods,

• creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods, especially in rural communities,

• building local value chains that promote beneficiation rather than raw material exports, and

• contributing to GDP growth and the fiscus through formalisation and taxation.

  
  

“We are especially encouraged by the Minister’s commitment to industry consultation, which aligns with South Africa’s constitutional principles of transparency, participation and accountability in public decision-making” he said.

“As the industry, we are committed to working with the Department of Health and other relevant government departments to develop ‘soft-touch’ regulations – a smart regulatory framework that protects public health and consumer safety, encourages product innovation, ensures fair access to markets and enables the inclusive and sustainable growth of this emerging sector.

“We look forward to participating in upcoming engagements and policy development processes, and we remain committed to ensuring the hemp and cannabis industries contribute meaningfully to food security, health, economic transformation and environmental resilience in South Africa,” said Khopotse.

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