The department’s Director-General, Simphiwe Hamilton, has indicated that the export driven hemp and cannabis industry is a key in the South Africa economy – it is one of the leading labour absorbing sectors within many rural communities. The hemp and cannabis industry employs over 90 000 people in South Africa. Recent legislation, including the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act signed in 2024, lays the groundwork for legal cultivation and private use. An Overarching Cannabis Bill is also in development to unify existing regulations, including the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024. Historically, South Africa had one of the strictest THC limits globally – just 0.2%.