1. Legal Foundation & Principles

This Code is grounded in South African law and the constitutional rights of adults to privacy and association. SACCA member clubs:

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• Operate non-commercially, as private associations, sharing cannabis among adult members.

• Are governed by the right to privacy (Constitutional Court 2018) and freedom of association.

• Recognize the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill as an evolving legal context and commit to shaping future regulations responsibly.

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Clubs operate under the principle that cannabis may be cultivated and shared privately among consenting adults — not bought or sold to the public.

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2. Membership & Access

• Clubs are strictly private associations, not open to the public.

• All members must be 18 years or older and verified via valid ID.

• Members must sign a Membership Agreement outlining their rights, responsibilities, and limits under the club model.

• Clubs must have a written constitution or founding document,  provide transparent track & tracing, clear governance, and a designated compliance officer or point of contact.

• Members must not resell cannabis received from the club.

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3. Cultivation Models

SACCA recognizes two cultivation frameworks to reflect how clubs currently operate:

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✅ 3.1 Onsite Cultivation

• Cannabis may be cultivated on private club premises on behalf of members.

• Cultivation quantities must be proportional to the number of active members, using a collective cultivation mandate system (e.g. each member delegates a portion of their right to the club).

• Cultivation must take place in secure, access-controlled environments.

• Onsite cultivation should comply with health and safety measures: ventilation, cleanliness, and pest control.

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✅ 3.2 Offsite Cultivation

• Individual members or assigned growers may cultivate cannabis privately and contribute it to the club.

• Clubs must maintain a Cultivation Declaration Log for all offsite sources, including:

  • Grower/member name or ID

  • Strain name

  • Grow location (private and confidential)

  • Method (e.g. organic, indoor, greenhouse)

  • Harvest date

• Offsite growers must sign a Cultivation Declaration Form affirming the cannabis is for private member use only.

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4. Distribution Protocol

• Cannabis must be shared exclusively among registered members, based on their delegated share of cultivation.

• No public trade, advertising, or resale is permitted under any circumstances.

• Clubs must record each distribution event in a private log (date, member ID, strain/amount).

• Cannabis should be packaged in discreet, labelled, and child-safe containers, including:

  • Strain name

  • Batch/harvest date

  • THC/CBD estimate (if available)

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5. Product Safety & Integrity

Clubs must take reasonable steps to ensure product quality and safety:

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• Cannabis should be properly dried, cured, and free of mold or pests.

• Edibles, oils, or infused products must be:

  • Clearly labelled with estimated potency/dosage

  • Stored securely and out of reach of minors

• If possible, clubs should use third-party or in-house testing to verify cannabinoid content and screen for contaminants.

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6. Responsible Use & Club Spaces

• Clubs may provide onsite consumption areas, as long as:

  • Access is restricted to 18+ members only

  • These areas are discreet, ventilated, and compliant with local bylaws

  • Harm reduction is promoted and intoxication limits are respected

• Clubs should actively educate members on responsible use, dosage, interactions, and health impacts.

• No illicit substances may be consumed or sold in club spaces.

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7. Education & Community Engagement

SACCA clubs are encouraged to:

• Host educational workshops, talks, or member briefings.

• Promote responsible, stigma-free dialogue about cannabis use.

• Engage with civil society, researchers, and traditional healers where appropriate.

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8. Record-Keeping & Confidentiality

Each club must maintain:

• A Member Registry (confidential and secure)

• A Cultivation Log (onsite & offsite grows)

• A Distribution Log (date, quantity, strain)

• Incident logs if needed (e.g. safety issues, violations)

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All records must be stored securely and used only for internal accountability, unless legally required by a court.

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9. Prohibited Practices

Clubs violating the following may be removed from SACCA:

❌ Selling or advertising cannabis publicly
❌ Supplying to or involving minors
❌ Operating without member agreements
❌ Failing to verify member identity/age
❌ Hosting public cannabis events without membership controls
❌ Allowing other illicit substances on premises

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10. Compliance Oversight & Evolution

• Clubs agree to self-audit annually using SACCA’s toolkit.

• SACCA may request peer reviews or provide compliance support.

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✅ Club Commitment

As a SACCA member, your club acknowledges and agrees to:

• Operate safely, transparently, and within private-use boundaries

• Promote inclusivity, wellness, and respect for South African cannabis heritage

• Contribute to shaping a fair and representative national cannabis framework