Policy Chaos and Industry Fallout
Over 1,000 businesses and 400 small enterprises (SMMEs) are facing severe financial losses due to the Health Minister’s sudden and unexplained ban on hemp-based foodstuffs. The shock decision not only contradicts President Ramaphosa’s vision for cannabis commercialization but also exposes deep-rooted policy failures within the Cannabis Master Plan.
Government Misinformation and Internal Disarray
Efforts by senior government officials to justify the ban and pacify stakeholders have only fueled further uncertainty. The debacle highlights a glaring disconnect between the Ministries of Health, Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC), and the Presidency—exposing a lack of coordination and competence among key policymakers.
It has now been revealed that when President Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 6 February 2025, he was unaware that Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi had already signed off on the controversial ban. Although the ban was only gazetted on 7 March 2025, official records confirm that Motsoaledi authorized it as early as 16 January 2025.
Sources within Operation Vulundlela—a Presidential initiative aimed at driving economic reforms—have confirmed that neither the Presidency nor the DTIC was officially informed about the impending ban before SONA. Many within the government only learned of the decision when it was publicly announced.
A Devastating Blow to the Cannabis Industry
The ban has sent shockwaves through the fledgling cannabis sector, with opposition parties and industry leaders condemning the move. DA health spokesperson Michéle Clark labeled it an “ill-considered” decision that jeopardizes over 1,400 licensed cannabis businesses and hundreds of SMMEs.
Clark criticized the lack of public consultation before the ban was implemented, arguing that instead of imposing sweeping restrictions, the government should be supporting the hemp industry as a means to create jobs, improve public health, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Brett Herron, secretary-general of the GOOD party, went further, calling the Health Minister’s actions “absurd.”
“It borders on lunacy for the President to champion cannabis as a key economic driver while one of his ministers simultaneously bans its products—items that have been available in mainstream stores for years,” Herron said, urging Ramaphosa to intervene and overturn the ban.
Herron also pointed out that South Africa’s failure to establish a proper regulatory framework for cannabis—despite the Constitutional Court decriminalizing its use in 2018—continues to stifle industry growth and endanger thousands of livelihoods.
DTIC Blindsided by the Ban
The DTIC, a key member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Cannabis, was reportedly caught off guard by the Health Minister’s decision. For seven weeks, between the ministerial approval and public announcement, the Health Ministry failed to consult or notify the DTIC, despite its leading role in cannabis industry development.
Even the Cannabis Master Plan’s steering committee (Steerco) was bypassed—although its effectiveness is now questionable, given that it has not convened in 2025 due to internal conflicts.
A Lack of Transparency from Health Officials
Adding to the controversy, Minister Motsoaledi opted not to appear on the Cheeba Africa webinar What the Hemp 2.0? on 18 March 2025, despite prior commitments to explain the rationale behind the ban. Instead, he sent senior health officials in his place.
The Department of Health’s (DoH) food control head, Penny Campbell, stunned the 900 attendees by questioning the nutritional value of locally developed hemp varietals—despite years of research supporting their benefits. Meanwhile, DoH Deputy Director General Dr. Anban Pillay attempted to reassure industry stakeholders but failed to provide clear reasoning for the decision.
DTIC’s Response: A Reset for the Cannabis Master Plan
DTIC representative Thembelihle Ndukwana confirmed during the webinar that the Cannabis Master Plan is effectively back at square one. She emphasized that the department is eager to collaborate with the private sector and promised that consultations on a new commercialization policy are imminent.
Although she expressed hope that the hemp foodstuff ban would be temporary, Ndukwana warned that businesses must comply with the law in the meantime or face regulatory consequences. She also revealed that DTIC has halted all funding for hemp-based food businesses, despite government-backed incubator programs having already supported multiple companies in the sector.
Behind the Scenes: Is a Compromise Possible?
Despite official silence from the DoH, DTIC, and the Presidency, MEDCAN24 has learned that behind-the-scenes negotiations are underway to mitigate the damage. Three well-placed sources indicate that the DTIC is pushing for an exemption for hemp-based products while a more comprehensive regulatory framework is developed.
The industry now waits to see whether government intervention will salvage South Africa’s cannabis sector—or if bureaucratic mismanagement will continue to derail its potential.