DELMAS – It was all joy for dagga smokers and consumers of cannabis for medicinal purpose on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, as President Ramaphosa signed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (CfPPA) into law. This historic legislation makes South Africa the first African nation to legalize cannabis for personal use, and residents of Delmas are at the forefront of this exciting new chapter.
The CfPPA removes cannabis from the controlled substances list, paving the way for a potential legal cannabis industry. Adults over 18 can cultivate and possess cannabis in private spaces. They may possess unlimited cannabis seeds and seedlings, up to four flowering plants per person, and up to 600 grams of dried cannabis per person in private places, sparking hopes for economic growth. In public spaces, adults may possess up to 100 grams of dried cannabis. Consumption of cannabis is permitted in private spaces, provided it does not endanger others, especially minors.
Public health remains a priority, with the Act outlining clear limits on possession and cultivation while also allowing medical cannabis use by children under specific guidelines.
Local residents are buzzing with the news. Musa Mahlangu, a cannabis seller, stated, “Dagga is no stranger here. Regulation is long overdue. We need a system like cigarettes, with clear rules and age restrictions.” Another resident sees economic potential, noting, “This unlocks a hidden sector that can empower black communities involved in cultivation for years.”
In an interview with the Highveld Chronicle, South African cannabis entrepreneur SamoRRA Ma-Mbanga stated, “The majority of plant policies in SA have never been for the pursuit of industrialization, and this is the same order that we are seeing with the CfPPA.” Ma-Mbanga further questioned the CfPPA’s policy, calling it an “oxymoronic policy that calls for a reorder eventually.”
The road to legalization began in 2017 with a court ruling decriminalizing private cannabis use. The CfPPA brings long-awaited regulations, balancing individual freedoms with public health concerns. While commercial sale remains prohibited, South Africa joins European nations like Germany and Malta with similar personal-use policies.
This legal shift marks a significant step forward for South Africa’s drug policy. As the country implements the CfPPA, the focus will be on refining regulations to ensure public safety while maximizing economic opportunities within the new cannabis sector.
President Ramaphosa’s office elaborated on the Act’s broader impact in a press release, stating, “The CfPPA will entirely remove cannabis from the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act,” paving the way for further legislative changes “to allow for the industrialization of the cannabis sector.” Additionally, the Act ensures “the medically prescribed administration of cannabis to a child” while safeguarding children from unwanted exposure. It also outlines alternative measures to address cannabis use by minors, prioritizing the child’s well-being.
While legal sales are still off the table, Delmas residents can now cultivate and enjoy cannabis in private, marking a new era for this historic town and the nation of South Africa.
