Cabinet welcomes withdrawal of cannabis regulations

CABINET has welcomed the withdrawal of the Department of Health’s controversial regulation prohibiting the sale of hemp and cannabis food products.

- HOPE NTANZI

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressed the matter yesterday during a Cabinet briefing in Pretoria on the outcomes of the Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday. She emphasised the importance of a balanced approach to the growing hemp and cannabis industry in South Africa.

Ntshavheni made it clear that such regulations must be fully consulted upon, ensuring alignment with the Constitutional Court judgment, and should not contravene the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, which was proclaimed last year.

“The Department of Justice, together with various other government departments, is coordinating an interdepartmental draft regulation for the full implementation of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act. These regulations will be issued for public consultation, for rural provinces.”