The DA has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and overturn Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi’s decision to ban cannabis-based foodstuffs, warning that the regulation will have dire consequences for South Africa’s growing hemp industry.

The party argues that the ban threatens the viability of more than 1,400 licensed cannabis cultivation businesses and 400 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), endangering thousands of jobs and impeding economic growth.

DA spokesperson on Health, Michele Clarke, has strongly criticized the decision, calling it an unjustified restriction on an industry that has the potential to significantly contribute to South Africa’s economy.

According to Clarke, the global hempseed market, valued at over $5 billion in 2023, is expected to double by 2032, with the food and beverage sector driving much of this expansion.

Countries such as the United States, Canada, and China have embraced hemp-based products, integrating them into their respective economies. Clarke argues that South Africa should follow suit rather than imposing restrictive regulations that hinder industry growth.

“The hemp industry in South Africa is vibrant and holds immense potential for job creation and sustainable economic development. By banning cannabis-based foodstuffs, the government is stifling a burgeoning sector that could contribute significantly to the country’s economic security.”

The DA has also raised concerns about the lack of public consultation preceding the ban. Clarke accused Minister Motsoaledi of disregarding businesses, farmers, and health experts who advocate for a more balanced and evidence-based approach to cannabis regulation.

“The Minister has unilaterally imposed this ban without meaningful public input, using the excuse that the regulations were needed ‘without delay.’ This dismissive approach undermines democratic principles and good governance.”

Meanwhile, the GOOD Party has also criticized the sudden ban, calling on Motsoaledi to halt the process as it threatens the livelihoods of up to a million people.

In a statement, GOOD Secretary-General Brett Herron urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to rather fast-track the National Cannabis Masterplan (NCMP), initiated in 2021, and to halt the ban in the meantime.

Herron argued that a lack of policy framework since the Constitutional Court decriminalized cannabis use in 2018 has left the industry in limbo, benefiting only a small group of licensed businesses while excluding traditional growers.

He has also warned that criminalizing cannabis edibles would push the market underground, making regulation and consumer safety even harder to enforce.

Citing data from the Institute for Economic Justice, the statement highlighted that up to 900,000 South Africans may be involved in illegal cannabis production, with many more engaged in legal but heavily restricted operations.

ALSO READ: Cannabis Industry fuming over sudden ban on edibles