JOHANNESSBURG – Thousands of businesses facing closures due to a ban on cannabis and hemp groceries are on reprieve.
After Cyril Ramaphosa's public protest on Tuesday (March 25, 2025), more consultations have been held, and Dr. Aaron Mossoaredi announced that the ban on cannabis-based food products will be lifted.
“At the President's briefing, Health Minister Dr. Aaron Mossoaredi raised concerns about unregulated imported foods that will flood the South African market, including hemp and cannabis,” the president said.
“President Ramaphosa confirmed his support for more stakeholder consultations and public participation on the development of new regulations that limit the health risks and negative impacts of foods, including cannabis and hemp, especially on minors,” the president explained in a brief statement.
“In light of further stakeholder consultations, the Minister of Health will withdraw regulations under the Food, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Food Facilities Act) to ban the sale, import and manufacture of groceries, including hemp and cannabis.”
President's spokesman Vincent Magwenia said the Ministry of Health will continue to consult widely before it makes public the revised regulations.
The move comes as a welcome relief for businesses that handle the sale, import and manufacture of groceries, including hemp and cannabis.
Earlier this month, the Democratic Union (DA) said it opposed a ban citing both negative public policy implications and the serious economic harm that the decision could have on South Africa's growing hemp and cannabis industry.
A spokesman for Michele Clarke MP-Health said on March 18, 2025, sought the ban lifted:
“However, this ban risks stifling growth in this sector.
“The DA calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reverse this damaging regulation, ignoring public consultations and the voices of business and health experts.
“Instead of imposing restrictions, the government should support the hemp industry, which has the potential to boost employment, improve public health and promote sustainable economic development.”
The good party also opposed the ban.
Good Party Secretary-General Brett Herron noted that while the Constitutional Court decriminalized the use of cannabis in 2018, its sale remains illegal.
Heron said the inconsistency puts the livelihoods of up to one million South Africans at risk.
