Industry players have welcomed the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (DTIC) policy moves towards the regulation and commercialisation of cannabis and hemp products.
Linda Siboto, who is the co-founder of Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Academy, said it was a step in the right direction.
“It signals the kind of direction the industry has needed for a long time, but after six years in the sector, it still feels like we have not properly started. We are stuck at the beginning,” he said.
Siboto, who is also the co-chairperson of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa) in Gauteng and its national chairperson of the cannabis commodities division, acknowledged the introduction of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, but said much more was needed to drive true industry growth.
“It is encouraging to see the DTIC adding new energy to the cannabis master plan with a focus on commercialisation,” he said.
However, real progress required collaboration beyond just the trade and industry portfolio, Siboto said.
He questioned why, despite growing evidence and long-standing traditional use, cannabis continued to face far more regulatory barriers than other products.
“When we look at alcohol and cigarettes, products with little to no health benefit, they face far fewer restrictions. Yet cannabis, which is largely harmless and proven to have wellness benefits, is still highly regulated,” he said.
Siboto also argued that places like Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, where communities have cultivated cannabis for generations, needed to be included in the value chain.
“These people have been part of the global cannabis economy long before policymakers began drafting master plans. Their contribution should be recognised and protected as the industry formalises,” said Siboto.
“It is time the government treated cannabis as an economic asset, not a social threat,” he said.
Black Entrepreneurs Alliance CEO Refiloe Monageng said legalising and commercialising cannabis was a crucial step for rural economic development and agro-processing.
“It is an opportunity to uplift underdeveloped areas and unlock value chains that have long been neglected.”
Mdu Lepele, who owns Elengos Supply, which is an agro-processor in the cannabis industry, said the existing regulations have brought both opportunity and frustrations.
“There is a lot of momentum, which is great, but the lack of policy clarity has delayed partnerships, postponed product launches and made long-term planning difficult. You have to be patient and strategic,” he said.
His company supplies cannabis oil to retailers, doctors and pharmacies.
Lepele finds the most promising aspect of the new policy to be its focus on supporting small businesses and believes certain elements still require refinement, especially the timelines for implementation, licensing procedures and clearer guidance for small-scale players.
“The policy is strong on paper, but execution is key,” he said.
