Pinned Post
Private Clubs to create offset for Indigenous Communities
Since the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill and the landmark Prince Constitutional Court ruling, South Africa has seen a surge in Private Cannabis Clubs.
While these clubs have created new opportunities for safe, regulated access to cannabis, they’ve also unintentionally displaced indigenous and legacy growers — the very communities that sustained the cannabis trade for generations.
The Risk of Exclusion
For many rural and township-based growers, the move from the informal market to formal structures has been more of a barrier than a bridge. Without access to capital, legal resources, or established networks, these growers face being locked out of the very industry they built.
Building Inclusion Into the Code of Compliance
As SACCA works toward a National Code of Compliance, we must ensure that inclusion and social equity are at the heart of the framework.
One proposed solution: A “National Cannabis Stokvel” — a collective platform where indigenous growers can apply for membership.
Compliant growers receive licensing to supply directly to Private Cannabis Clubs.
Clubs must source at least one product from a local indigenous or legacy grower.
This would:
Guarantee market access for compliant indigenous growers
Ensure fair representation of traditional communities
Boost local economies by keeping supply chains community-based
Strengthen relationships between clubs and their surrounding communities
Why This Matters Now
National cannabis regulations are expected March 2026.We have a limited window to embed social equity into the DNA of the industry.If we don’t act now, we risk creating a market that repeats the same exclusionary patterns we’ve seen elsewhere.
💬 Let’s Discuss:
How can we structure a National Cannabis Stokvel to make it fair and accessible?
What compliance standards should indigenous growers meet — and how do we make them achievable without overburdening small operators?
How can clubs be supported in sourcing locally and ethically?