Is Cannabis / THC legal in South Africa?

Legal status

Private adult use/possession/cultivation LAWFUL (Prince 2018 + Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024; no court-set quantity); ALL dealing/sale illegal; public use & supply-to-children criminal

Consequences if caught

Private adult personal use, possession and cultivation of cannabis are LAWFUL following the Constitutional Court ruling in Minister of Justice v Prince (2018) and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024 (signed 28 May 2024) — the Court set NO quantity and the right is not limited to the home. ALL commercial dealing and sale remain illegal; public use and supply to children are criminal. 'Cannabis clubs' are a legal grey zone (the 2022 Haze Club ruling treated club cultivation-for-members as dealing). [draft] February 2026 regulations proposing specific quantity limits (around 600 g dried / about 5 plants) are NOT yet in force — confirm. South Africa has NO death penalty (abolished 1995).

If prescribed or medical

Private adult use is lawful under the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024; all dealing and sale remain illegal.

Documentation

Private adult cannabis use, possession and cultivation are lawful (Prince 2018 + Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024) with NO court-set quantity; all dealing and sale remain illegal and 'cannabis clubs' are a legal grey zone (the 2022 Haze Club ruling treated club cultivation-for-members as dealing). [draft] February 2026 regulations proposing quantity limits (around 600 g dried / about 5 plants) are NOT yet in force. Hard drugs are fully illegal under Act 140 of 1992 (dealing up to 25 years). South Africa has NO death penalty (abolished 1995). Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with South Africa’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.