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The presidency has confirmed that the health minister would withdraw regulations prohibiting the sale, importation and manufacture of foodstuffs containing hemp and cannabis, following an outcry.
Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said in a statement the minister Aaron Motsoaledi and the department of health would “continue to consult broadly” before publishing the revised regulations.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has affirmed his support for more stakeholder consultation and public participation on the formulation of new regulations that will limit health risk and the negative impact of foodstuffs containing cannabis and hemp, particularly on minors,” Magwenya said.
The health department said in briefing the President, minister Motsoaledi had “expressed concern about unregulated imported foodstuffs flooding the South African market containing hemp and cannabis.”
The presidency said in light of further stakeholder consultations, the minister of health will withdraw the regulations.
News of the pending withdrawal was welcomed by the civil society group, Free SA.
The organization, and other stakeholders, had sent a “formal legal letter” to the minister last week challenging the legality of the regulations, warning that failure to comply with the legal obligation to consult the public would result in court action.
"This is a huge win for civil society and the principle of participatory democracy," said Reuben Coetzer, spokesperson for Free SA.
"We made it clear that the government cannot pass sweeping, punitive regulations without consulting the public. On the eve of being taken to court, the Minister has rightly withdrawn the unlawful regulations,” he said.
Coetzer said accountability doesn’t only happen every five years at the ballot box.
