Is Hemp Legal in South Africa?

Industrial hemp is legal in South Africa under the Plant Improvement Act 11 of 2018 and the hemp regulations gazetted by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on 23 November 2021. The framework recognizes hemp as a distinct agricultural crop separate from drug cannabis under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.

Cultivation requires a hemp permit issued by the Department, valid for ten years and renewable, covering breeding, seed multiplication, fiber, seed, and grain production. Permitted varieties must contain no more than 0.2 percent THC in the dry leaf or flower of a representative plant sample. Permit holders must use certified seed listed on the Department's approved varieties register, maintain field records, and submit to compliance inspections. Hemp grain, hempseed oil, hemp protein, and hemp fiber circulate domestically and through the Southern African Customs Union without further controls, while finished food products require Department of Health registration under the Foodstuffs Act.

The Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal lead in licensed hectares, with the Hemp Industry Association of South Africa coordinating producers.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.