LEGAL TALK with Hahn & Hahn Attorneys: What is the current legal status of cannabis and hemp in food products?

In the past few weeks we have seen so many articles and news reports regarding the Minister of Health’s R5960 Regulations published which he seemed to “suddenly” publish on the 7th of March 2025 in relation to the prohibition of cannabis and hemp in food products. After receiving a huge public backlash from those who both produce and consume such products, our President released a press statement on the 25th of March saying that the Regulations will be withdrawn in order to ensure that there is “further stakeholder consultation”. This has caused massive confusion and producers and retailers are all unsure of where this leaves them. What is the current legal status of cannabis and hemp in food products? We ask Isabella Mazzone of Hahn & Hahn Attorneys.Legal Talk is aired every Wednesday morning at 10:00 on eRadio and available as a podcast thereafter.