Is CBD legal in South Africa in 2025?
The global CBD industry continues to grow rapidly, and South Africa has positioned itself as one of the most progressive CBD markets in Africa. While CBD products are legally available to consumers, there is still a degree of uncertainty around the regulations—especially concerning dosage limits, THC content, and product categories. So, is CBD legal in South Africa, or does it fall into a complex regulatory niche? Although the country permits CBD under a defined exemption, strict rules and dosage thresholds must be followed, which can create confusion for consumers and businesses alike.
At Essentia Pura, our goal is to offer clear and up-to-date insights into the legal CBD landscape in South Africa. Whether you're a consumer, entrepreneur, or investor, this guide will help you understand the most important aspects of doing business or using CBD products legally in 2025. By the end, you will learn:
- Is CBD legal in South Africa?
- What are South Africa’s cannabis and hemp regulations?
- Can you use medical or wellness CBD in South Africa without a prescription?
- What is the future of CBD products in South Africa?
- Where can you legally buy CBD in the country?
- Can tourists bring CBD products into South Africa?
If any of these topics interest you, keep reading as we break down the legal framework of CBD in South Africa in 2025.
What is CBD?
If you're exploring the legal status of CBD in South Africa, it’s important to first understand what CBD actually is. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive substance responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana, CBD is non-intoxicating. This key distinction has led to CBD’s growing popularity in wellness and health sectors globally, including in South Africa.
CBD sold in South Africa is primarily extracted from industrial hemp, a variety of cannabis bred specifically to contain very low levels of THC. In fact, CBD products that are legally sold in the country must have THC concentrations as low as 0.001%, making them safe and non-psychoactive. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids, but CBD has become the most widely researched and commercially adopted, particularly in the wellness industry.
It’s also essential to distinguish between hemp and marijuana. While both come from the same species, hemp contains high amounts of CBD and negligible THC, while marijuana is THC-rich and used primarily for recreational or medicinal intoxication. In South Africa, this distinction is important, as hemp-derived CBD products that meet the country’s strict dosage and THC limits are permitted for general use, while marijuana remains tightly regulated.
Marijuana
South Africa has taken a unique and evolving approach to marijuana (commonly referred to locally as dagga). While CBD is legal under specific conditions, the status of high-THC cannabis remains more complex. So, is weed legal in South Africa? The answer is yes—but only for private personal use. Commercial sales, cultivation without a license, and public consumption are still illegal under national law.
Recreational Marijuana: Private Use Legal, Commercial Trade Illegal
In 2018, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to prohibit the private use and cultivation of cannabis by adults. This historic decision decriminalized personal possession and home-growing of marijuana for private use only. You can read the full judgment here: Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Others v Prince.
However, the ruling did not legalize the buying, selling, or public consumption of marijuana. Commercial trade of cannabis remains prohibited under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, and anyone caught distributing or selling cannabis outside of the legal medical framework can face serious criminal charges.
As of 2025, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, signed into law in 2024, provides clearer definitions for what qualifies as "private use" and introduces limited provisions for non-commercial cannabis clubs. Despite this, South Africa does not yet permit retail cannabis sales, and there is no legal recreational cannabis marketplace. The full text of the Act is available here: Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024.
Medical Marijuana: Legal Under SAHPRA Oversight
South Africa does have a medical cannabis program, regulated by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). However, access remains highly controlled:
- Medical cannabis products must be registered or approved for special access under Section 21 of the Medicines Act.
- Doctors must apply on behalf of patients, and approvals are typically granted for serious conditions only (e.g., chronic pain, epilepsy, or cancer-related symptoms).
- There are currently no registered cannabis-based medicines widely available at South African pharmacies, meaning all access is managed case by case.
- Licensed producers may cultivate cannabis for medicinal use, but only under strict GMP and licensing standards.
In short, while medical cannabis is legal in South Africa, access remains limited to authorized patients and is not widely available in over-the-counter form. This distinguishes South Africa from more liberal medical cannabis markets, such as Germany or Canada.
Hemp
Hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant that contains negligible amounts of THC, plays a growing role in South Africa’s agricultural and commercial sectors. In line with global trends and domestic reforms, South Africa legalized hemp cultivation for industrial and research purposes in 2021, separating it legally from high-THC cannabis (dagga).
Hemp Cultivation: Legal and Regulated
In South Africa, hemp is defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.2% THC, consistent with international norms. As of 2025, farmers may legally grow hemp under the Plant Improvement Act, overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).
To cultivate hemp legally, farmers must:
- Apply for a hemp permit through DALRRD.
- Use only approved low-THC seed varieties.
- Submit annual reports and allow government inspections.
- Comply with limits of <0.2% THC in dry matter.
The licensing process is relatively streamlined compared to cannabis for medical use, but hemp cultivation is still restricted to authorized farmers and purposes, such as textiles, food, cosmetics, or research.
You can read more about hemp permits here:
👉 DALRRD – Hemp Permit Application Process (gov.za)
Hemp Products & CBD Regulation
While hemp-derived materials like fiber, seed oil, and protein powder are allowed for industrial and cosmetic use, the situation is more complex for CBD extracted from hemp.
- CBD products intended for human use, even if derived from legal hemp, fall under the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
- Only licensed facilities may process hemp into CBD oil for human consumption.
- The final product must meet the 0.001% THC limit and not exceed 600 mg of CBD per pack or 20 mg daily dose to qualify for general sale.
- Hemp seed oil (which contains almost no CBD) is legal as a cosmetic or food ingredient and is not regulated as a medicine.
Although hemp cultivation is expanding in South Africa, businesses hoping to process it into CBD oil must still obtain licensing from SAHPRA, not just DALRRD. This division between agricultural hemp and medicinal CBD reflects South Africa’s cautious but structured approach.
Buying and selling CBD in South Africa
South Africa allows the legal sale and purchase of CBD products, but only under strict regulatory conditions. Both consumers and entrepreneurs must understand these limitations, as CBD is regulated as a health product, not a general wellness supplement.
Purchasing CBD in South Africa
Unlike in some countries where CBD is sold freely in supermarkets or convenience stores, CBD in South Africa is only available through compliant retailers. Products must fall within the exemption notice issued by SAHPRA, which limits:
- CBD content to a maximum daily dose of 20 mg.
- THC content to less than 0.001%.
- Products to general health maintenance or minor symptoms (e.g., stress or inflammation).
You can legally purchase CBD oil in South Africa from registered pharmacies, health shops, or licensed online stores—as long as these products meet SAHPRA’s exemption requirements. Any product that exceeds these thresholds is considered a Schedule 4 medicine, requiring a doctor's prescription and special access through SAHPRA's Section 21 pathway.
Starting a CBD Business in South Africa
For those looking to enter the CBD business in South Africa, regulatory compliance is essential. All CBD products intended for human or veterinary use must comply with the Medicines and Related Substances Act. Here's what entrepreneurs need to know:
- Manufacturers and importers must register their facility with SAHPRA and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Retailers must only sell CBD products that comply with the 2019 exemption, or apply to sell higher-dose CBD under Schedule 4 licensing.
- CBD products used in cosmetics or topicals must also comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation and ingredient restrictions set by the Department of Health.
- Importing CBD is permitted, but only if the product meets all labeling, dosage, and composition standards, and is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and appropriate permits.
Selling CBD
Setting up a CBD business in South Africa requires navigating a tightly regulated system overseen by SAHPRA (South African Health Products Regulatory Authority) and the Department of Health. While CBD is legal under certain conditions, companies must comply with the Medicines and Related Substances Act and additional licensing frameworks to legally manufacture, import, or sell CBD products.
Licensing and Compliance
To sell CBD legally in South Africa, businesses must:
- Ensure product compliance with the 2019 SAHPRA exemption notice, which limits daily dosage to 20 mg of CBD and THC content to 0.001%.
- Apply for a Section 22C(1)(b) manufacturing or import license from SAHPRA, which includes proof of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
- Have CBD products tested for purity, potency, and THC levels, and obtain a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each batch.
- Ensure proper labeling and packaging, with no unapproved health claims or disease-specific references.
CBD products that exceed the exemption thresholds (e.g. high-potency oils or products with medicinal claims) are classified as Schedule 4 medicines. These require doctor prescriptions and formal SAHPRA product registration.
Conclusion: Is CBD Legal in South Africa?
CBD is legal in South Africa, but only under strict conditions set by national health authorities. While the market continues to grow, CBD products are tightly regulated to ensure consumer safety and compliance with pharmaceutical laws. As such, CBD is not treated as an ordinary wellness product but rather as a controlled health substance.
Key Points:
- CBD is legal, but only when it meets the requirements of SAHPRA’s 2019 exemption notice.
- THC Content: Legal CBD products must contain less than 0.001% THC and a maximum daily dose of 20 mg CBD to be sold without a prescription.
- Licensing Required: Businesses must obtain a Section 22C(1)(b) license from SAHPRA to manufacture, import, or distribute CBD legally.
- Food Supplements: CBD is not permitted as a general food ingredient under South African food law unless it complies with the SAHPRA exemption and labeling standards.
- Medical Use: Higher-dose CBD products or those intended for medical treatment are considered Schedule 4 medicines and require SAHPRA approval and a doctor’s prescription.
- Cosmetics & Topicals: Hemp-derived CBD may be used in cosmetics if it complies with ingredient regulations and does not make medical claims.
- Recreational Use: THC-rich cannabis (marijuana) is legal only for private use. Commercial sales remain illegal, and any unregistered or non-compliant CBD product may be subject to enforcement.
If you want to learn more about cannabis laws in a different country, you can read our articles about these countries in Europe:
About us
At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.
