South Africans could soon get clearer limits on how much cannabis they may legally possess for private use, with draft regulations proposing a maximum of 750 grams per person.
The proposal forms part of regulations linked to the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act and follows the Constitutional Court’s 2018 judgment that decriminalised the private use and cultivation of cannabis by adults.
Cannabis lawyer Paul-Michael Keichel said the rules remain in draft form and the broader legal framework is not yet fully in effect.
750g limit aims to create clarity
Keichel said the proposed regulations would give a clearer benchmark for personal possession.
At 750g, the amount is roughly equivalent to 1,500 joints if each contains 0.5g of cannabis.
However, possession would still need to fall within the private-use protections recognised by the Constitutional Court.
Keichel warned that cannabis possession, cultivation or use outside those protections could still lead to legal consequences.
Key details still unresolved
Several issues remain unclear before the regulations are finalised.
One is whether the 750g limit refers to wet or dry cannabis. Keichel said this distinction matters because freshly harvested cannabis can contain significant water weight.
There is also uncertainty around extracts, oils, vapes and edibles, which previous drafts did not fully address.
Another question is how cultivation limits would apply in shared private spaces, including whether limits would be measured per person, property or household.
Keichel warned that unclear rules could make enforcement difficult and lead to inconsistent outcomes.
Cannabis shops still not automatically legal
The proposed regulations do not mean commercial cannabis shops are currently legal.
Keichel said the private-use exemption created by the Constitutional Court does not extend to commercial dealing.
He added that the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act would not, on its own, create a fully regulated retail market.
Further legislative changes would still be needed to establish a licensing system for commercial cannabis businesses.
Despite delays in finalising the framework, Keichel said South Africa is still moving towards more practical cannabis regulation, with the remaining challenges focused largely on implementation and legal clarity.