Parliament's public hearings on cannabis took place over three days at the beginning of September 2021. They were held by a Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services to discuss the proposed Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill.

The hearings were an opportunity for the public and industry stakeholders to voice any concerns. As well as make recommendations on the bill. Many organizations, non-profits and businesses had their say. At the heart of several presentations was certainly a desire to address and alleviate unemployment, something which for which South Africa has unfortunately infamous high level of. Ongoing arrests of cannabis producers, consumers and traders were also highlighted as a concern.

Parliament's Public Hearings on Cannabis off to a good start

The mood in the zoom was definitely positive though. With many points about the economic potential of cannabis being well made. It was evident that the scope of the proposed Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill has many aspects in which to evolve. A notable one of these growth points would be to establish clearer definitions. Due to some of the simpler legal loose ends of the Constitutional Court verdict still lingering. One of these in particular is the urgent need to formalize the trade of cannabis seeds. As it stands, access to your choice of genetics should be a reasonable part of your legal right to privately grow your own.

This is where things get a little bit sticky as any trade in any part of the plant remains illegal. Although CBD and hemp are obvious exceptions to this, seeds are more tolerated rather than being necessarily defined in the law books. This has created obstacles for traders and government departments alike. As they are equally disarmed by the limitations to formalize this booming market. Plant breeders rights, intellectual property, genetic preservation and cultivar copyrighting are just a few of the many parts of the iceberg that lay below the purview of the proposed bill.

South Africa has the rights already

These were among the points raised by Brett Kanichowsky and Jordyn Murcia from Green Smoke Room Cannabis Consulting when addressing the Portfolio Committee during parliament's public hearings on cannabis.

"We would like to provoke the thinking with regards to the allowing of a person to acquire cannabis seeds and/or cultivation material. South Africa already has the Plant Breeders Act which defines the constructs required to performance and quality of breeders and their ability to register genetics, be it for medicinal or private consumption." - Brett Kanichowsky
"This is what we have been pushing for in South Africa since the Constitutional Court ruling. It is quite simple to make changes to the acts that allow for seed sales to happen. And to allow for the consumer to purchase seeds, as even the purchase of seeds is illegal." - Jordyn Murcia

An encouraging tone among stall of the participants was that the rising tide would lift all boats. The Parliament's Public Hearings on Cannabis was unanimously acknowledged as a starting point for discussion. But the bill was just as equally veto'ed. Much smoke clearing took place and brought into focus just how wide the local interests are rooted. A path of many compromises therefore likely lays ahead.

You can watch all of hearings at the following links

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