Western Cape praises lifting of cannabis ban

By Levy Masiteng 

Western Cape agriculture, economic development and tourism MEC Ivan Meyer has welcomed the government’s decision not to stick with a recent ban implemented by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on foodstuffs containing hemp and cannabis.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday night that more stakeholder consultation and public participation on the formulation of new regulations that would limit health risks and the negative impact of foodstuffs containing cannabis and hemp, particularly on minors, was needed.

Meyer said on Wednesday that this would open the doors for a flourishing cannabis and hemp industry that promised not only to generate thousands of jobs, but also to enhance public health and stimulate economic growth in the region. 

“This will lead to the development of policies and rules that support the potential of the cannabis and hemp industry to generate jobs, improve public health, and boost economic growth,” Meyer said in a