The Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill was introduced to parliament in September 2020 and has been slowly making its way through the system. However, at President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening, the 10th of February, he stated that the government will fast-track regulations for the cannabis industry in South Africa.
The Cannabis Industry’s “Huge Potential”
The president has acknowledged that the industry has great potential. And added that hemp and cannabis production could create up to 130,000 new jobs. He also says that people have farmed hemp and cannabis products for many years. But that now the South African government was ready to industrialize and “harness” it. Allowing the industry to realise its massive potential for investment and job creation.
In his State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa says, “We are going to fast-track policy and regulations for the use of cannabis for medicinal use, especially in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.”
The Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill
The current bill making its way through parliament outlines possession rules for cannabis users at home. As well as rules for those wishing to cultivate it. The bill also introduces new offenses and provisions for people who have received a criminal record for cannabis possession.
- Possess the prescribed quantity of cannabis plant cultivation material.
- Cultivate the prescribed quantity of cannabis plants in a private place.
- Possess in private the prescribed quantity of cannabis plants in a public place.
- Privatly possess the prescribed quantity of cannabis in a public place.
- Possess the prescribed quantity of cannabis in a private place.