South Africa upgrades its hemp to 2% THC

In force since December 1, 2025, the new south african plant breeding law (Plant Improvement Act) marks a decisive change in the way the country supervises plant production, the seed quality and, above all, the cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. for industrial use.

Signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa after being approved by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, the new law replaces legislation dating back to 1976. It repositions hemp as a viable agricultural crop and removes some of the long-standing barriers that have hindered the sector's development.

A significant boost: the 2% THC limit now official

One of the most eagerly-awaited changes, and one that should generate immediate commercial interest, is the revision of the legal definition of hemp, which increases the permitted THC from 0.2% to 2%.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the new definition applies to «plants or parts of plants with a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of Cannabis sativa L. cultivated for agricultural or industrial purposes, whose leaves and flowering heads contain no more than 2% of (-)-transdelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol».

This tenfold increase should pave the way for more resistant and more profitable varieties. Industry players have long argued that’former threshold of 0.2% was too restrictive, limiting genetic diversity and hindering the local development of the value chain for the industrial hemp.

For growers, this change means greater flexibility in sourcing and selecting varieties suited to the South African climate. For the market, it could accelerate growth in sectors ranging from textiles and building materials wellness products and’green industrial innovation.

New systems for enhanced quality and transparency

Beyond hemp, the new Plant Breeding Act creates a stronger regulatory environment for plant-related businesses. It introduces systems for :

• Registration of companies marketing plants and propagating material for cultivation and sale
• Registration of the premises where these activities take place
• Compliance with quality standards for seeds and propagation material
• Certification systems to ensure that equipment conforms to type«
• Monitoring import and export activities
• evaluation processes for new plant varieties

At the heart of these reforms is the introduction of a new national registration of plant varieties, supported by a new journal national des variétés. This structure enables varieties to be officially assessed to determine their suitability for cultivation and use.

The Act also introduces, for the first time, a formal mechanism for filing objections with the Registrar regarding variety registrations, a measure designed to improve transparency and governance. An advisory committee will assist the Registrar on technical issues relating to the administration of the law.