Cannabis Conference 2021

As global demand for medicinal cannabis continues to gain traction, many countries are in a rush to take advantage of the opportunities availed by Cannabis. However, despite this changing global dialogue around the use of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes, in South Africa, legal requirements around the production and sale of cannabis for medical use remains onerous.

Cannabis for medicinal use refers to the crude, standardised and quality-assured cannabis plant material that is cultivated, harvested, processed and packaged to be used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations which are required to meet the requisite quality, safety and efficacy standards. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in South Africa by ensuring that they meet standards of efficacy, safety and quality. SAHPRA operates in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965) (“the Medicines Act”), the Regulations issued in terms of that Act, and associated Guidelines. Accordingly, SAHPRA acknowledges and permits that cannabis products, intended for medicinal purposes, may thus be made available in exceptional circumstances, to specific patients under medical supervision.