South African President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday signed the “Cannabis for Private Purposes Act“, a change in the law that regulates the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis for private use by adults. The change in the law is the result of several years of work, as it was proposed already in 2020 but has taken until now to become a reality. The new law means that cannabis is no longer classified as a prohibited substance under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and introduces changes to other laws to support the cannabis industry in South Africa.
The law aims to protect children from inappropriate exposure to cannabis and provides for rules for medical use in children. It also means that adults can now grow and use cannabis in private contexts, but the sale of cannabis remains illegal. In order to consume cannabis, individuals must grow their own plants.
This reform comes after South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled in 2018 that the ban on the possession and cultivation of cannabis for personal use was illegal and required legislative changes within two years. Despite this, it took additional time before the change in the law could be introduced. Timely enough, one day before the national elections. The government is now hoping that this change in the law will pave the way for more comprehensive regulations that can support the establishment of a marijuana industry in the country.
For more information, see the official page of the President of South Africa here.