Cape Town – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has reportedly admitted that he did not consult before implementing regulations banning the manufacture, sale, and import of food products containing cannabis and hemp.
The department of health banned the production and sale of cannabis and hemp-derived food goods in South Africa in March.
The shocking and unexpected move was a contradiction of the government’s decriminalisation of cannabis by the Constitutional Court in recent years.
The Presidency, however, later reversed the decision.
The decision came after criticism from those in the industry, alongside previous official statements highlighting the importance of expanding the sector in South Africa.
He also raised issues about the lack of regulation by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAPHRA), especially since many cannabis-based products in South Africa are imported from Europe, the US, and the Netherlands.
He expressed alarm at the widespread availability of cannabis-infused snacks, particularly those popular among young people.
“Remember there’s no medicine that can be sold officially in the country that can go into your body before it can be accredited by South African Products Health Regulatory Authority (SAPHRA).
“And we have known that. Now, all of sudden out of the blue, you see popcorn, chocolate, lolly pops. You know everything and especially products that we know are consumed mostly by young people. That was scary for me. Because we know some people believe there’s nothing wrong with cannabis. I know because I work in health, I can tell you,” the report quoted Motsoaledi as saying.
