Earlier this year, the South African (SA) Department of Health gazetted a ban on the import, manufacture, and sale of all food products containing cannabis or its derivatives including widely used components like hemp seed oil, hemp flour, and cannabis-infused beverages.

The move sparked outcry from cannabis experts, health advocates and industry players alike, who saw it as a step backwards in the country's gradual journey toward embracing the economic and health potential of cannabis-based products.
Now, the conversation has taken an unexpected turn. 

SA’s government officials are floating the idea of introducing a “sin tax” on cannabis and hemp products, a move that could both regulate the market and generate much-needed revenue. For perspective, Canada’s federal government recently raked in more from cannabis than from beer and wine combined, a staggering CA$894.6 million in one year. With alcohol sin taxes bringing in over R45 billion locally in 2022/23, cannabis may well be South Africa’s missing fiscal opportunity.

Tebogo Tlhopane is the Treasurer of The South African Cannabis and Hemp Industry Development Association and says lawmakers must be better informed about the herb.

“Cannabis is a medicine and it has been found to be doing amazing things. The lack of understanding by the government does not mean that nobody is aware that Cannabis is a medicine. Even with doctors that prescribe it, the results that are coming out are unbelievable,” Tlhopane said.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--