South Africa issues 1110 permits for commercial cultivation of cannabis
The South African Government has issued a total of 1 110 permits for the commercial cultivation of cannabis.
This was revealed in a cabinet briefing last week on Wednesday.
The permits issued under the Cannabis Master Plan are aimed to contribute to exonomic growth, poverty alleviation and job creation.
The Master Plan aims to provide a framework for the growth and development of the hemp industry in South Africa.
Last week’ s statement read: “Cabinet received a briefing on the progress on the development of the Cannabis Master Plan which aims to provide a framework for thestablishment, growth and development of the cannabis and hemp industry in South Africa to contribute to economic growth, poverty alleviation and job creation”.
It added that The Master Plan is anchored on nine pillars, namely effective regulatory services; sustainable seed supply systems; research and technology development; producer support systems; market development; enterprise and supplier development; manufacturing
and product pevelopment; education and training; and communication and awareness.
President Ramaphosa approved the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill in May 2024.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has
initiated the process of drafting the regulations in support of the
Cannabis for Private Purposes.
The Department of Health, through the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, has concluded consultations on
changes to the Schedules of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965).
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition( DTIC) concluded situational and value chain analysis on the Hemp and
Cannabis sector in South Africa, the dtic will soon commence consultations on the Cannabis Commercialisation Policy.
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) developed two hemp
varieties and with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), is currently undergoing a second season of seed multiplication to make it available for the 2025 planting season.
In May 2024, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development approved the Hemp Certification Scheme to
regulate the varietal integrity and quality of hemp propagation material towards supporting sustainable seed system of hemp.
The DALRRD has commissioned research to the value of R124 million with the ARC which focusses on cannabis breeding for
medicinal, fibre and other uses, cannabis plant disease surveillance, indigenous germplasm collection, Cannabis seed
system development
Gauteng, in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 10 small, medium and micro enterprises weresupported for product development. The DALRRD continues to consult provinces on commitments thus far.
To improve the capacity of the department to monitor cultivation of hemp by permit holders, the ARC developed a detailed training pogramme for inspection services.
