Health Minister Aaron Mostoaledi’s recent decision to ban cannabis-infused food products has ignited a wave of criticism from industry stakeholders, exposing deep divisions within the government. This sudden move threatens to derail the National Cannabis Masterplan and contradicts President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to fostering the hemp industry as a key economic driver.
Industry Calls for Reversal of the Ban
Cannabis advocates are urging President Ramaphosa to overturn the unexpected prohibition, arguing that it stifles economic growth and undermines South Africa’s potential in the global hemp market. The ban, which affects all food and beverage products containing cannabis—including established hemp-based goods—has sparked frustration across the sector.
Out of Sync with Global Standards
Tony Budden, hemp activist and co-founder of Hemporium, criticized the decision as a step backward. Speaking to Let’s Grow Hemp, he stated:
“This ban contradicts the President’s economic vision. Hemp foods are widely accepted globally for their nutritional benefits, and this decision isolates South Africa from international best practices.”
Budden pointed out that leading markets such as the United States, Canada, China, and the European Union have successfully integrated hemp into their food industries, creating significant economic opportunities. He warned that the prohibition could deter investors and stall the growing momentum of the South African hemp industry.
Industry Leaders Demand Action
The Cheeba Cannabis Academy has penned an open letter to President Ramaphosa, calling for immediate intervention:
“This ban is not just an infringement on citizens’ rights but also a demonstration of the government’s lack of understanding of hemp’s economic, nutritional, and industrial potential. It damages South Africa’s credibility in the global hemp industry and contradicts the government’s own policies to promote industrial hemp.”
The letter urges the President to reverse the ban and engage with industry experts to create a rational regulatory framework that supports, rather than hinders, the sector’s growth.
A Government at Odds with Itself?
Darryl Weiss, director of South Africa’s only direct cannabis investment fund, highlighted contradictions within government policy:
“There is a clear disconnect between government actions and its stated intentions. The President has repeatedly championed cannabis and hemp as economic game-changers, yet his own ministers are introducing policies that obstruct industry progress.”
Weiss pointed out that in multiple State of the Nation addresses, President Ramaphosa emphasized cannabis as a high-potential industry capable of creating thousands of jobs and boosting the economy. However, the new restrictions imposed by the Health Minister seem to contradict this vision directly.
Questions Over the Motives Behind the Ban
Morris Beegle, publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, recently visited South Africa and engaged with industry leaders. He expressed concern over the sudden policy shift:
“This decision is a complete reversal of previous commitments and raises serious concerns about whether the government is aligned in its cannabis policies.”
According to industry experts at Plantlife.co.za, several factors may have influenced the government’s decision:
- Public Safety Concerns – Authorities may be responding to fears about unregulated cannabis edibles, where improper production could lead to contaminated or overly potent products, potentially reaching minors or uninformed consumers.
- Regulatory Gaps – The absence of a clear national framework for cannabis-infused food products has created uncertainty around safe production and distribution.
- Corporate Influence? – Some speculate that pressure from pharmaceutical and alcohol industry lobbyists—who may see cannabis products as a threat to their market share—played a role in the ban.
- Internal Government Conflicts – The ban directly contradicts the recently passed Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill (2024), highlighting a lack of alignment within government policies.
What’s Next for Cannabis Food Businesses?
In response to the ban, Plantlife.co.za advises businesses selling cannabis-infused food products to take immediate steps:
- Cease sales of edibles to comply with the new regulations and avoid legal consequences.
- Maintain transparency with customers by informing them of the legal changes.
- Shift focus to other legal cannabis-based industries, such as textiles, industrial hemp, cosmetics, and therapeutic non-food products.
- Join advocacy efforts led by industry stakeholders to push for fair and well-structured cannabis food regulations.
As of the latest update, the Health Ministry has yet to respond to multiple media inquiries regarding the reasoning behind the ban. The cannabis industry now looks to the President’s office for clarity and possible intervention. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether South Africa aligns with global cannabis policy trends or remains trapped in outdated regulatory approaches.