South Africa is taking a decisive step toward ending years of legal uncertainty surrounding the personal use of cannabis. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development has officially released draft regulations that establish clear boundaries for how much cannabis an adult can legally grow and possess at home. Under the proposed rules, the limit for private possession is set at 750 grams per adult.
These regulations are a critical component of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act. Ever since the Constitutional Court decriminalized private use in 2018, South Africans have lived in a “gray area” regarding legal quantities. The government now aims to replace this ambiguity with standardized limits based on international benchmarks. This move mirrors a global shift toward structured regulation, similar to how Morocco is expanding its therapeutic cannabis market and Brazil is defining new rules for medical cultivation.
Despite the long wait for regulatory clarity, the South African market continues to show massive momentum. According to Euromonitor, the illicit market is estimated to be worth ZAR 36 billion in 2025. Experts suggest that if the government successfully transitions to a fully commercialized and transparent framework, the legal market could reach ZAR 11 billion ($610 million) by 2028, creating significant employment opportunities in provinces like the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Ministry spokesperson Terrence Manase noted that the proposals are designed to balance individual freedom with public interest. By setting specific numbers for cultivation and possession, the state hopes to prevent unnecessary arrests while maintaining a regulated environment. The public and interested stakeholders have until March 5, 2026, to submit their feedback on these proposed quantities.
Source: Eyewitness News
