When President Cyril Ramaphosa signed legislation legalising cannabis for personal use in May, it sparked interest among those who’d like to commercialise an industry estimated to be worth at least $1.5 billion. The challenge for South Africa’s government and legal professionals is how to harness and regulate it.
The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act of 2024 governs possession, cultivation, and personal use but the sale of cannabis remains prohibited. Penalties include up to 10 years’ imprisonment or fines for dealing cannabis.
