Cabinet has welcomed the withdrawal of the Department of Health’s regulations that banned the sale of hemp and cannabis food products, says Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

This week, the Presidency announced that Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will retract the regulations following a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“While acknowledging the negative impact of the unregulated sale of hemp and cannabis food products on possible consumption by children, such regulations must be fully consulted, must not be in contempt of the Constitutional Court judge, and must not contravene the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act [7 of 2024],” the minister said in a media briefing in Pretoria today.

Ramaphosa reaffirmed his commitment to increasing stakeholder consultation and public participation in developing new regulations that will reduce health risks and the negative impact of food products containing cannabis and hemp, especially concerning minors.

“In light of further stakeholder consultations, the minister of health will withdraw the Regulations under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act [54 of 1972] (Foodstuffs Act) to prohibit the sale, importation and manufacture of foodstuffs containing hemp and cannabis.

“The Department of Health will continue to consult broadly before publishing the revised regulations,” the Presidency added.

In addition, Ntshavheni said that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is co-ordinating an interdepartmental draft regulation for the implementation of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act. – SAnews.gov.za

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.