South Africa prepares to legalize medical cannabis

After two years of deliberation and research, the South Africa's Department of Health said that it would allow access to medical cannabis for certain patients, an announcement that was welcomed by activists and the government alike as a major step forward for the country.

L’Inkhata Freedom Party (IFP) said on Wednesday that it was working with the Health Committee of the South African Parliament to open up access to therapeutic cannabis for certain patients suffering from specific illnesses (HIV/AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, severe chronic pain, etc.).

The news was welcomed in a press release by Narend Singh, MP and No.2 of the IFP, who applauded what he saw as progress in his country's approach to medical cannabis.

«This heralds great progress for public access and research into the use of medical cannabis. I feel a great sense of relief. I must thank the Department [of Health] for treating this subject with such passion for our people.».

In addition to his support for the expansion of medical cannabis, Narend Singh is opposed to the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Next steps

The bill to legalize medical cannabis will regulate the distribution of cannabis to certain patients, as well as the production of cannabis or the sale of cannabis products. dagga as it's called over there.

The Medical Innovation Bill would authorize the use of cannabis for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, muscle spasms, or other illnesses. chronic pain and side effects cancer (nausea, vomiting, etc.).

The Ministry of Health indicated that it would propose by next January a legal framework for the consumption of medical cannabis, and by February 2017 specific guidelines for people seeking to grow cannabis for therapeutic use. The regulatory system could be active as early as April.

A two-year project

The Medical Innovation Bill had been under debate in Parliament since its introduction in 2014. It was first introduced by MP Dr. Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, who succumbed that year to a terminal cancer.

The bill had been taken over by Naren Singh, who made sure that this «vital subject remains on the negotiating table».