Why have cannabis and hemp products been banned?

South Africa’s cannabis industry has hit a roadblock. In a surprising move, government has banned edibles and cannabis and hemp-derived food products.

The South African government has quietly banned cannabis and hemp-derived products. Image: Pixabay

The Department of Health announced this week a ban on the production, sale, and importation of cannabis and hemp-derived food products.

This move threatens to derail South Africa’s emerging cannabis industry and contradicts previous government promises to commercialise the sector.

The decision, published in a recent government gazette, falls under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act of 1972. It explicitly prohibits the sale, import, and manufacture of any food containing ingredients from the Cannabis Sativa L. plant, including hemp, hemp seed oil, and hemp seed flour.

Why has the ban been introduced?

The amendment to the law was officially updated on 7 March 2025 — signaling a deliberate and current government decision.

According to Capetownetc, experts believe the move may stem from several factors:

Public safety concerns

The government aims to curb the unregulated production of cannabis edibles, as some illegal manufacturers may use unsafe methods, leading to contaminated or overly potent products reaching minors and uninformed consumers.

Regulatory gaps

There is currently no national framework governing the safe production, testing, and marketing of cannabis edibles.

Internal government misalignment

The ban appears to contradict the recently passed Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill (2024), highlighting potential discord within government policies.

Influence from major industries

Speculation is rife that lobbying from the pharmaceutical and alcohol sectors, which stand to lose market share if cannabis products become mainstream, may have influenced the decision.

What does the ban include?

The newly gazetted regulations prohibit all edible products derived from Cannabis Sativa L., specifically hemp seed oil, hemp seed flour and THC-infused edibles.

Despite initial confusion over the announcement, authorities have confirmed that the ban is legally binding and enforceable under South African law.

In his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 6, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that South Africa should be a global leader in hemp production.

Under the new regulations, anyone found selling, manufacturing, or importing cannabis-infused edible products will face severe penalties, including substantial fines and potential imprisonment.

As the situation develops, the future of South Africa’s cannabis industry remains uncertain. What once seemed like a promising path to becoming a global leader in cannabis and hemp production now hangs in the balance.