Synergy Wellness has become a major player in the medical cannabis market, having gained dominant market share over a bruising five years. The company, which has developed a ‘best practice policy’ in the absence of clear regulatory guidelines covering the local cannabis industry, works closely with the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). It assists prospective medical cannabis patients with advice and processes applications for the regulator, which is ultimately in charge of all patient registration..

Cannabis may be prescribed for certain treatments under Section 21 of the Medicines Act, which is currently the only way South Africans can legally buy cannabis. Although there is a lot of confusion in the market as to what is and isn’t legal, Jon Hodes, founder and director of Synergy, says there is no ambiguity about the law in terms of Section 21: doctors may legally prescribe cannabis to patients under this provision and this is recognized as legitimate by law enforcement authorities.

Hodes says this puts a lot of responsibility on the doctors in the Synergy network, who are very discerning about prescribing cannabis. He says that given reports of the misuse of Section 21 (SAHPRA says certain doctors have been acting as a front for the distribution of cannabis for non-medical purposes), Synergy is over-cautious and will turn prospective patients away if it feels cannabis prescription would not be in their interests. He says people can get cannabis for recreational use from any of the thousands of grey zone cannabis outlets that have sprung up, so that Section 21 is no longer an incentive for people to try and access cannabis.

Hodes has told Cannabiz Africa previously that "the potential medical cannabis market is significant, especially as more healthcare providers and patients gain a better understanding of its benefits".

He says that while the market is still in its early stages, "with the right infrastructure and regulatory support, South Africa could develop a sustainable medical cannabis sector serving tens of thousands of patients in the near future".

Hodes says it’s been a tough five years navigating the cannabis landscape since he launche Synergy, but the hard work is beginning to pay off. The company has a network of over 200 ‘withdrawal points’ across the country to enable medical cannabis patients to get their prescriptions, which Synergy supplies. Hodes is reluctant to say how many medical cannabis patients have been signed up, but it is in the thousands.

The Gauteng-based company has about 40 employees and occupies four stories of a business park premises in which there has been considerable investment in a GMP compliant processing facility. It has an edibles business based in Paarl and has developed a range of medical and wellness cannabis products that are already available - and will be bringing a ‘medibles’ range to market soon.

Hodes is a busy man – Cannabiz Africa pinned him down for three quick questions after he finished work at 8 pm the other night:

BHB: Why is Synergy Wellness sponsoring this year’s Cannabis Expo?

JH: This year’s Expo feels like a full-circle moment for us. It’s not just any event—it lines up with Synergy’s 5th birthday, and for the first time, we’re bringing our full network together in one place. We’ve grown so much over the years, and the Expo gives us a chance to share that journey, connect with others in the space, and show what we’ve been working on. Sponsoring felt like the natural next step—not just to celebrate, but to contribute to something bigger. The energy around the South African cannabis industry right now is incredible, and we’re proud to be part of shaping where it goes next.

BHB:  What does Synergy Wellness do?

JH: At our core, we’re focused on helping people feel better—using cannabis as a tool, backed by science and real-world insight. We’ve built Synergy around medical cannabis, from cultivation to products and patient support. But it’s more than just operations—it’s about creating access to something that genuinely helps people. We work with doctors, researchers, and communities to make sure what we do is rooted in care and credibility. And we’re constantly learning, evolving, and adapting as this space grows.

BHB: Do you think  medical cannabis have more of a meaningful future than recreational?

JH: Recreational use has its place, but the medical side? That’s where real, lasting impact happens. We hear stories every day—people sleeping better, managing pain, feeling like themselves again—and that’s what drives us. Medical cannabis offers something deeper: a way to support health in a personalized, natural way. There’s still a lot of stigma and education needed, but the shift is happening. Globally and locally, people are starting to see cannabis not just as a trend, but as a meaningful part of modern healthcare. And that’s where Synergy wants to lead.

READ: Synergy: Building a Medical Cannabis Business from the Ground Up

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