The Democratic Alliance (DA) and GOOD Party have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to overturn the Health Department’s ban on cannabis-infused and hemp food products.
Opposition parties want Ramaphosa to reverse cannabis-infused ban
The move comes after Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi signed a regulatory update prohibiting the import, manufacture, and sale of food items containing any part of the cannabis plant.
The DA strongly opposes the ban, arguing that it could severely impact South Africa’s growing cannabis and hemp industry. DA spokesperson on health Michele Clarke criticised the decision, saying it was made without public consultation and would harm economic opportunities in the sector.
“Instead of imposing restrictions, the government should support the hemp industry, which has the potential to boost jobs, improve public health, and drive sustainable economic development,” Clarke said.
The DA further claimed that Motsoaledi bypassed standard regulatory procedures, pushing the ban through without adequate input from businesses, health experts, and farmers.
The party warned that this move could discourage local innovation and weaken South Africa’s competitive advantage in a rapidly growing global market.
The GOOD Party also condemned the ban, calling it contradictory to the government’s support for the cannabis and hemp industry. Party secretary-general Brett Herron pointed out that Ramaphosa had previously promoted hemp as an economic driver, only for his health minister to impose restrictions on its products.
“Without policy coherence regulating sales, it becomes difficult for the Minister of Health to regulate the sale of edible products – and affords him the gap for their total ban,” Herron stated.
He highlighted the economic importance of the cannabis sector, noting that as many as 900,000 South Africans are estimated to be involved in cannabis production, whether legally or illegally.
He argued that the lack of clear regulatory frameworks has allowed government officials with conservative views on cannabis to undermine the industry’s potential.
What this means for sale of cannabis-infused and hemp products in South Africa
The Health Department’s regulation explicitly bans any food products containing parts of the cannabis plant, including hemp seed oil, hemp powder, and derivatives from cannabis species such as Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis.
This means that previously available cannabis-infused snacks, oils, and beverages can no longer be legally sold in South Africa.
The department has justified the ban by citing public health concerns and the absence of formal food safety regulations for cannabis products.
However, critics argue that hemp-based foods do not contain psychoactive compounds and that banning them outright is an overreach.
The regulation does not apply to medicinal cannabis products or personal use, which remain subject to separate legal frameworks. However, businesses that previously sold hemp food items in mainstream stores will be directly affected.
