By Maile Matsimela
Chairman of the South African Cannabis and Hemp Industry Development Association (SACHIDA) has welcomed the decision by the Minister of Health, Dr Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi, to withdraw the recent regulations prohibiting the sale, importation, and manufacture of hemp-based food products, as published in Government Gazette No. 52227 on 7 March 2025.
SACHIDA chairman Katlego Khopotse said this is a positive and progressive step that demonstrates the Minister’s willingness to listen to the voices of South African farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs and the broader public who expressed deep concern about the impact of the regulations on food security, economic opportunity, and innovation.
“We commend the Minister for responding to the justified outcry and for opening the door to consultative engagement with the industry,” he said.
Khopotse said this decision paves way for the responsible development of a thriving hemp and cannabis sector that is capable of tackling malnutrition through the introduction of safe, nutrient-dense superfoods, creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods, especially in rural communities, building local value chains that promote beneficiation rather than raw material exports, and contributing to GDP growth and the fiscus through formalisation and taxation.
“We are especially encouraged by the Minister’s commitment to industry consultation, which aligns with South Africa’s constitutional principles of transparency, participation and accountability in public decision-making.
“As the industry, we are committed to working with the Department of Health and other relevant government departments to develop ‘soft-touch’ regulations – a smart regulatory framework that protects public health and consumer safety, encourages product innovation, ensures fair access to markets and enables the inclusive and sustainable growth of this emerging sector.
“We look forward to participating in upcoming engagements and policy development processes, and we remain committed to ensuring the hemp and cannabis industries contribute meaningfully to food security, health, economic transformation and environmental resilience in South Africa,” said Khopotse.
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