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Cannabis Laws in South Africa.
Is dagga legal in South Africa? This plain-language guide explains what adults may and may not do under current law — private use, growing, possession limits, buying and selling, public use and medical access.
This guide is educational, not legal advice. Cannabis law in South Africa continues to evolve, and how it applies to your situation depends on the facts. Consult a qualified legal professional for advice.
The short answer
Cannabis (dagga) in South Africa sits in a middle ground. Private adult use and cultivation for personal purposes have been decriminalised — first by the Constitutional Court in September 2018 (the Prince judgment) and then by the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, signed into law in 2024. But dagga is not fully "legal": selling it, buying it from a dealer, using it in public, and supplying it to anyone under 18 remain criminal offences.
What adults may do in private
An adult (18 or older) may use, possess and cultivate cannabis in a private place for personal use. The Act allows up to 600 grams of dried cannabis per adult in a private place (1,200 grams per household where two or more adults live), possession of up to 100 grams in a public place when it is for private purposes, and cultivation of up to four flowering plants per person, with a maximum of eight per household. "Private place" means somewhere the public has no right of access — typically your home.
What remains illegal
Buying or selling recreational cannabis, dealing in it, and importing or exporting it without a licence are criminal offences. Using cannabis in public, around children, or supplying it to a minor is prohibited. Driving under the influence of cannabis is an offence under the National Road Traffic Act, and employers may still enforce workplace rules on impairment.
Medical cannabis and licensed cultivation
Cannabis-based medicines are regulated by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and can be prescribed by authorised practitioners. Commercial cultivation for medical or industrial (hemp) purposes requires licences or permits issued under SAHPRA and Department of Agriculture processes — these are separate from personal-use rights.
Why the law still feels uncertain
The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act created the framework for private adult use, but detailed regulations are still being developed, and there is no legal recreational retail market. Court cases, municipal by-laws and policing practice can differ, so specific situations — especially anything involving sale, events or public consumption — need proper legal advice.
Common questions
Is dagga legal in South Africa?
Partly. Since the Constitutional Court's 2018 judgment and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (2024), adults may use, possess and grow cannabis in private for personal use. Buying, selling or dealing in recreational cannabis remains a criminal offence, and use in public places is not permitted.
How much dagga is legal in South Africa?
Under the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, an adult may possess up to 600 grams of dried cannabis in a private place (1,200 grams per household with two or more adults), carry up to 100 grams in a public place for private purposes, and cultivate up to four flowering plants per person (eight per household).
Is it legal to grow dagga in South Africa?
Yes, for adults cultivating in a private place for personal use — up to four flowering plants per person and no more than eight per household. Growing to sell remains illegal without a licence.
Is it legal to sell dagga in South Africa?
No. The sale, dealing or commercial supply of recreational cannabis remains a criminal offence. There is currently no licensed recreational retail market in South Africa.
Is medical cannabis legal in South Africa?
Yes, under regulated conditions. Cannabis-containing medicines are regulated by SAHPRA and are available with a prescription from an authorised healthcare practitioner.
Engage responsibly
Principle 01 of Canna Country: knowledge creates confidence. Understanding the law is the first step to responsible adult participation — but every person remains responsible for their own conduct and for staying within the law.
Founded and supported by Strain Stream. For adults aged 18 and over. Last reviewed September 2026.