Drafting a National Policy Paper

Warm greetings from the South African Cannabis Club Alliance (SACCA).

We’re pleased to share Project Indlela, a comprehensive policy and legislative framework developed to guide South Africa’s transition from prohibition to a lawful, inclusive, and economically empowering cannabis industry.

This initiative represents a collaborative effort — bringing together advocates, cultivators, legal experts, and community organisations to design a roadmap that promotes both constitutional rights and economic opportunity.

Why Project Indlela?

South Africa stands at a turning point in cannabis reform. While current laws recognise limited private use, there remains no inclusive legal pathway for small-scale growers, private clubs, or local enterprises to participate in a regulated market.

Project Indlela aims to change that by providing a practical policy foundation for balanced reform — ensuring community participation, scientific credibility, and sustainable development.

Key Outcomes of Project Indlela

1. Legislative Reform Direction

• Descheduling cannabis from the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965) and the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act (Act 140 of 1992).

• Amending the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (2024) to recognise Private Cannabis Clubs, cultivators, and dispensaries as lawful and regulated entities.

• Introducing the Cannabis Regulation and Economic Inclusion Act (2025) — establishing a dedicated Cannabis Regulatory Authority (CRA) under the DTIC to oversee an inclusive, transparent, and tiered industry.

2. Inclusive and Tiered Framework

• Implementing a three-tier system (GACP-Light, GMP-Light, Full GMP) that allows participation from community growers through to industrial operators.

• Establishing Regional Processing Hubs and a National Cannabis Development Fund to support compliance, testing, and rural upliftment.

3. Constitutional and Economic Foundations

• Fully aligned with Prince v Minister of Justice (2018) and the constitutional rights to privacy, equality, and freedom of trade.

• Designed to generate sustainable jobs, encourage local beneficiation, and create lawful municipal revenue streams through transparent taxation.

4. International and Scientific Legitimacy

• Provides a treaty-compliant model through an Interpretive Declaration under the UN Single Convention — positioning South Africa as a leader in responsible African cannabis reform.

An Invitation to Collaborate

Project Indlela has been developed through an iterative process, blending AI-assisted policy modelling with human research, stakeholder dialogue, and community insight. It is not a fixed proposal — it’s a living framework meant to evolve through collaboration.

SACCA invites stakeholders, organisations, and experts to review and contribute to this framework. Together, we can shape a truly inclusive, evidence-based, and sustainable cannabis economy.

Access the full document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YVUZxquvYUwEIGBURkVFqsi03wiLJj8zLe5h0Qz1esE/edit?usp=sharing

Join the discussion below: Share your insights, feedback, and support for the next phase of cannabis reform in South Africa.