The South African government has withdrawn its ban on cannabis and hemp foodstuffs, following public outcry and pressure from civil society organisations, easing tensions for sellers who can now resume business.

Listen to this article 5 min Listen to this article 5 min The South African government has withdrawn its contentious regulations banning the sale, importation and manufacture of food products containing hemp and cannabis.

The reversal comes after mounting pressure from cannabis farmers, sellers, civil society organisations, including Free SA, which challenged the legality of the regulations and warned of court action if the government failed to comply with public consultation requirements.

Earlier this month, the government published rules in the Government Gazette (No. 52227), but these were created without allowing for public comment. This approach violated the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act of 1972, which requires proposed regulations to be aired with the public for feedback at least three months in advance, unless there is an urgent reason not to.

Following the public outcry, the government has withdrawn the rules and will allow more public input.

The government's change of heart seems to be a nod to President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2025 State of the Nation Address, where he pledged to make South Africa a leader in commercial hemp and cannabis.

This comes after Ramaphosa signed a groundbreaking law in May 2024, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, which...