South Africa’s cannabis laws have undergone major reform in recent years. Whether you grow, use, or simply support cannabis culture, understanding what’s allowed is crucial. Here’s everything you need to know in 2025.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Dagga Through the Ages
- The Legal Shift
- Private Use & Possession
- What You Still Can’t Do
- Growing Your Own Weed
- What’s Next for SA Weed?
Dagga Through the Ages
Dagga has long been a part of South Africa's cultural and spiritual landscape. Indigenous communities used cannabis for centuries, and records date back to the Dutch colonial era. But prohibition, driven by imported Western policies, took hold in the early 1900s and lasted nearly a century.
The Legal Shift
The turning point came in September 2018 when the Constitutional Court ruled that criminalizing private cannabis use and cultivation by adults was unconstitutional. This landmark ruling paved the way for broader reform.
After years of drafts and debates, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act was officially signed into law in May 2024.
Private Use & Possession
As of 2025, adults (18+) may legally:
- Use cannabis in private spaces
- Grow cannabis at home for personal use
- Possess limited amounts of dried cannabis and live plants
But it must be for personal consumption—not for sale, public use, or sharing.
What You Still Can’t Do
Despite progress, key restrictions remain:
- No commercial sales without a license
- No gifting, trading, or sharing cannabis
- No public smoking (parks, streets, vehicles, etc.)
- No driving under the influence of cannabis
- Adults only: Cannabis is strictly 18+
Growing Your Own Weed
Home grows are legal with specific limits:
- Up to 4 flowering plants per adult
- Up to 8 plants per household (if 2 or more adults live there)
- Up to 600g of dried cannabis per adult
Plants must be kept in a private, secure space. Outdoor grows should be fenced or enclosed. Selling seeds is allowed—selling flowers is not.
What’s Next for SA Weed?
Full legalization—including commercial retail—is still on the horizon. A broader cannabis bill is expected, aiming to regulate licensed sales, protect traditional knowledge, and empower small-scale growers.
Until then, South Africans can grow and enjoy cannabis privately—an overdue win for cannabis culture and personal freedom.
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This article will be updated as the law evolves. Last updated: June 2025.
