SA Issues 1,110 Permits for Hemp Cultivation: Progress on Cannabis Master Plan

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is in the process of drafting regulations to support the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill.

Since the declaration of hemp as an agricultural crop, South Africa has issued a total of 1,110 permits for its cultivation. This development follows the approval of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024.

During a media briefing following Cabinet's regular meeting, Acting Minister in The Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa, provided an update on the Cannabis Master Plan. This plan aims to establish a robust framework for the cannabis and hemp industry in South Africa, contributing to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and job creation.

The Master Plan is built on nine key pillars:

Effective Regulatory Services

Sustainable Seed Supply Systems

Research and Technology Development

Producer Support Systems

Market Development

Enterprise and Supplier Development

Manufacturing and Product Development

Education and Training

Communication and Awareness

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is in the process of drafting regulations to support the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. Additionally, the Department of Health, through the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, has completed consultations on changes to the Schedules of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has conducted situational and value chain analyses of the hemp and cannabis sector and will soon start consultations on the Cannabis Commercialisation Policy.

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has developed two hemp varieties, and with support from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), is undergoing a second season of seed multiplication to prepare for the 2025 planting season. In May 2024, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development approved the Hemp Certification Scheme to ensure the quality and varietal integrity of hemp propagation material.

The DALRRD has commissioned R124 million worth of research with the ARC, focusing on cannabis breeding, plant disease surveillance, indigenous germplasm collection, and seed system development. In Gauteng, ten small, medium, and micro enterprises have been supported for product development in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

To enhance monitoring of hemp cultivation, the ARC has developed a comprehensive training program for inspection services.