South Africa’s cannabis industry is reeling after Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi quietly enacted regulations banning the sale, production, and importation of cannabis-infused food products.
The new rules, published by the government on March 7, 2025, have blindsided businesses and consumers alike, effectively outlawing hemp seed oil, hemp flour, and THC-infused edibles. The move comes just months after President Cyril Ramaphosa touted the economic potential of cannabis and hemp, raising concerns over contradictory government policies.
The ban, implemented under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act of 1972, applies to all food products containing Cannabis sativa L., including widely used hemp-based items with negligible THC content. This sweeping restriction has sparked outrage among industry stakeholders, who argue it stifles a growing market and undermines South Africa’s position as a potential cannabis leader.
Janet O’Donoghue, co-founder of the South African Cannabis Community & Regulatory Association (SACRA), said the decision is consistent with the government’s long-standing approach to cannabis regulation. “We’ve been seeing this coming for a very long time because it aligns with current legislation, which hasn’t actually changed much,” she said. “The only real shift has been to tighten control while acknowledging that personal use cannot be completely restricted.”
The timing of the ban is particularly jarring given South Africa’s recent progress in cannabis policy. The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, signed into law in May 2024, decriminalized personal cultivation and use for adults, marking a major shift from past prohibition. In February 2025, Ramaphosa emphasized cannabis’s economic potential in his State of the Nation Address, stating, “We want South Africa to be leading in the commercial production of hemp and cannabis.” The new restrictions, however, appear to undermine those ambitions, blocking the very industry Ramaphosa had championed.
Industry leaders and entrepreneurs are calling the move a major setback. Myron Krost, CEO of Canna Trade Africa, called the regulations “confusing and nonsensical,” noting that hemp seed oil and flour had been legally available for years without issue. “This feels like a step backwards,” he said. “It’s not just about THC edibles—it’s killing off an entire sector that could have boosted our economy.”
The ban’s impact extends beyond businesses to consumers who rely on hemp products for health and wellness. Cape Town resident Thandi Mokoena, who uses hemp oil for arthritis relief, expressed frustration. “It’s natural, it works, and now they’re taking it away,” she said.
Legal experts believe the restrictions could face legal challenges. Paul-Michael Kiechel, a cannabis attorney, pointed out that many businesses had received permits to cultivate and process hemp under the Department of Agriculture’s framework. “These farmers followed the rules, invested in infrastructure, and now their market has been wiped out overnight,” he said.
The broader cannabis community is mobilizing against the ban, with advocacy groups like Fields of Green for All and the Dagga Union calling for protests and legal action. Many see the move as a betrayal of the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling that decriminalized personal cannabis use, as well as the government’s prior commitments to expanding cannabis-related economic opportunities.
As South Africa’s cannabis sector grapples with this abrupt policy shift, uncertainty looms over its future. With businesses, farmers, and consumers all impacted, pressure is mounting for the government to clarify its stance and address the growing backlash.
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