South African president vows to lift ban on cannabis edibles
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to lift a ban on cannabis and hemp-derived edibles announced earlier this month following vast backlash over the move. Trade associations and stakeholders felt that the prohibition had no scientific basis and was detrimental to the economy. The statement released by his office on Tuesday explained that the ban […]
Cannabis-produkte terug op die spyskaart
In wat bestempel word as ʼn oorwinning vir die publiek wat betref openbare deelname en demokratiese verantwoordbaarheid, het dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, minister van gesondheid, die omstrede verbod op die verkoop, invoer en vervaardiging van voedselprodukte wat hemp en cannabis bevat opgehef. Lees meer op Maroela Media
Health Minister’s decision to lift cannabis products ban a ‘victory for civil society, participatory democracy’
Civil society group Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free) SA has welcomed the decision by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to withdraw a prohibition notice banning the sale, importation, and manufacture of food products containing hemp and cannabis. Free SA said the minister’s decision came after mounting pressure from civil society groups and the cannabis […]
Health Minister withdraws contentious cannabis regulations
The presidency has confirmed that the health minister would withdraw regulations prohibiting the sale, importation and manufacture of foodstuffs containing hemp and cannabis, following an outcry. Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said in a statement the minister Aaron Motsoaledi and the department of health would “continue to consult broadly” before publishing the revised regulations. Read more […]
Free SA calls for drastic reduction of cabinet
Government inefficiencies are on the spotlight as treasury is urged to look at alternative ways to cover the budget shortfall. Free SA has written to president Cyril Ramaphosa, asking him to start by trimming his cabinet. Watch the discussion on eNCA
Cannabis edibles ban queried
The Foundation for the Rights of Expression and Equality (FreeSA) has given Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi 14 days to justify the ban on food items containing hemp and Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is an essential component of medicinal marijuana and is derived from the hemp plant. FreeSA is calling for transparency and public consultation on […]
Take a hike
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’s proposed 2025 budget speech sparked strong opposition from various political parties. In Wednesday’s budget speech, Godongwana proposed that the country’s VAT rate will increase by 0.5 percentage points in both 2025 and 2026, bringing the VAT rate to 16% by 2026 and 2027. While the ANC argues that the budget […]
Government’s Ban on Hemp and CBD in Food Challenged: Free SA Demands Transparency and Public Consultation
Civil rights organisation Free SA has formally demanded answers from the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, regarding the recently published Regulations Relating to the Prohibition of the Sale, Importation and Manufacture of Foodstuffs Containing Any Part of the Plant or Component Derived from the Genus Cannabis Sativa L, Hemp, Hemp Seed Oil or Hemp Seed Flour(Government Gazette […]
Budget 2025 | Opposition united in fury over VAT hike and reform failures
The 2025 proposed budget presented by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday has sparked strong opposition from various political parties, each offering critical perspectives on the government’s fiscal policies. Read more on IOL
Private sector-driven growth must be prioritised to curb unemployment – analyst
South Africa cannot afford to celebrate small gains while ignoring the bigger picture. These were the words from Free SA, in response to the latest unemployment statistics. Watch on eNCA