Cannabis and CBD brands in South Africa
Verdex lists 5 South African cannabis brands: SAHPRA-licensed medical growers and CBD makers. No retail cannabis licence exists; what each licence allows.
This page is about South Africa — not the country you picked in the header.
- Brands & producers rated
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The SAHPRA certificate framed above a South African cannabis shop counter is usually a grower's licence, not a shop licence. SAHPRA, the health products regulator, says it has issued no retail licences, so the five companies below are producers and brands, not dispensaries. Verdex lists Biotic Pharm in Atlantis, holding a cultivation and export licence to 2030; Cilo Cybin, a JSE-listed manufacturer in Centurion; Karoo Green in the Klein Karoo, which offers a doctor consultation for the Section 21 route; SafriCanna, exporting flower to Europe; and RethinkCBD in Paarl, sold online and through Clicks pharmacies.
Showing 5 of 5 brands & producers in South Africa
What each kind of licence lets a company do
| Permission | Regulator | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Section 22C cultivation and manufacture | SAHPRA | Medical use and export; no sale to the public |
| Section 21 authorization | SAHPRA | A doctor applies for an unregistered medicine for a named patient |
| Schedule 0 CBD | SAHPRA scheduling | Up to 20 mg a day and 600 mg a pack, THC at most 0.001%, sold in ordinary shops |
| Hemp permit | Department of Agriculture | Farming under 2% THC since December 1, 2025 |
Pharmacologist Andy Gray counted more than 100 cultivation licences in December 2025, all barred from selling to South African consumers. Adults may use and grow in private under the Constitutional Court's 2018 ruling, and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024 has no commencement date yet, but selling stays illegal. The trade ministry aims to table a commercial Cannabis Bill by mid-2027, the Sunday Times reported on September 25, 2026.
To check a licence, use SAHPRA's registers or call its line, 0800 204 307. Our guide to cannabis shops in South Africa covers the grey market, and the CBD oil rules explain Schedule 0 labels.
Questions about this list
Is any cannabis shop in South Africa licensed to sell to the public?
No. SAHPRA says it has issued no retail licences; certificates displayed in mall dispensaries are usually copies of cultivation or export licences, according to a SAHPRA warning reported by SAnews in June 2025.
Can I buy cannabis directly from a South African licensed producer?
No. Section 22C licences cover cultivation and manufacture for medical use and export. Patients reach medical cannabis through a doctor and a Section 21 application rather than a producer's counter.
What CBD can be sold without a prescription in South Africa?
Products with no more than 20 mg a day and 600 mg per pack, making only minor health claims, and THC at or below 0.001%, are Schedule 0 under SAHPRA's 2020 notice. Stronger products need a doctor and a pharmacy.
Buying in South Africa
Possession
Adults may possess cannabis in private for personal use (Prince, 2018). The 2024 Act is not yet in force; February 2026 draft regulations proposed 750 g in a private place.
Home grow
Private cultivation for personal use is protected; draft regulations (Feb 2026) proposed up to five plants.
Public use
Not protected; smoking or selling cannabis in public remains an offence.
Sales
Any sale of cannabis outside SAHPRA-licensed medical channels is a criminal offence; private clubs are in a grey zone.
Summary, not legal advice — rules change; check local law.
How this list is ranked
- License & compliance25%
- Customer reviews25%
- Lab & product transparency20%
- Pricing & value10%
- Service & access10%
- Complaint handling10%
Scores come from license records, published lab results, prices and public reviews. Sellers can’t pay to change their position.
How we rate