The Health Minister’s banning of cannabis in all foodstuffs and edibles as per the Government Gazette notice of 7 March 2025, sent shockwaves through the industry. The decision by Aaron Motsaoledi sparked the ire of stakeholders, who have questioned the motivation behind the ban and have appealed to the President to overturn it.

Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale told IOL News ON 13 March 2025 that the ban was made in the interests of consumer health and safety. He said it was the beginning of a regulatory process whereby products relating to cannabis could be assessed before they were sold for retail.

“Currently, South Africa’s food control legislation under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act does not provide for the pre-market approval of food containing cannabis” he said.

“This is why we are introducing a process through the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to assess such products before they can be sold."

Mohale said "The Department of Health is committed to ensuring the safety of South African consumers, especially in light of concerns over cannabis in food products.

He stressed the importance of transparency, noting that the notice would require manufacturers to disclose the amount of cannabis in food products, allowing consumers to make informed choices.

“The aim is to regulate the use of cannabis in foodstuffs and ensure that these products are safe for consumption,” Mohale added.

Health Minister Aaron Motsaoledi is due to 'face the nation' on the issue on a Cheeba-organized webinar, What the Hemp?, at 12h00, Tuesday, 18 March 2024.

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