South Africa won't ban hemp food after all

The South African Ministry of Health is finally backtracking on its attempt to ban food products containing ingredients derived from hemp, including the’hempseed oil and the hemp flour, following strong opposition from the country's hemp industry.

The now repealed regulation, originally introduced earlier this month as part of the law on foodstuffs, cosmetics and disinfectants, prohibited the sale, import and manufacture of foodstuffs containing any component derived from the Cannabis Sativa L. plant.

Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya, reaffirmed President Cyril Ramaphosa's position, strong support for cannabis legalization, emphasizing the need for «balanced rules that limit health risks while capitalizing on hemp's economic opportunities».

Now that the regulations have been rescinded, the Ministry of Health has pledged to «continue wide consultation before publishing revised regulations».

Industry representatives urged officials to adopt a scientific approach that distinguishes between non-psychotropic hemp products and intoxicating cannabis derivatives, to avoid unnecessary market disruption.

The latter had protested against the previously adopted regulations, arguing that the ban would have represented a step backwards for the sector, in contradiction with the South Africa's previous commitments in favor of the development of the cannabis and hemp industry.

Legal experts also warned that the initial regulations could have effectively re-criminalized previously legal activities, particularly in the hemp food sector. The restrictions would also have invalidated hundreds of government-issued hemp cultivation licenses, many of which had been granted for the production of hemp seeds for food purposes.