{
  "id": 17095030,
  "title": "AFTER THE BELL: Why are SA’s cannabis rules still up in smoke?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/after-the-bell-why-are-sas-cannabis-rules-still-up-in-smoke",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T17:36:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-29-why-are-sas-cannabis-rules-still-up-in-smoke/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Eight years after a court ruling, South Africa lacks effective cannabis regulations, leaving consumers and businesses frustrated and hindering the industry's integration into the formal economy. The Cannabis for Personal Use Act was passed in 2018, but it still lacks regulations, rendering it non-operational. Despite this, cannabis shops proliferate, leaving many confused about the legality of purchase and use. While the court ruling in 2018 legalised personal use, Parliament has yet to pass a law allowing cannabis sales. A company named Labat Africa, which has tried to enter the cannabis business, has not made any money and is facing financial difficulties. The government should focus on regulating the thriving informal sector, which should eventually transition into a regulated formal sector.",
  "summary": "Eight years after a court ruling, South Africa still lacks workable cannabis rules, frustrating consumers, businesses and efforts to bring the industry into the formal economy.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Africa lacks effective cannabis regulations eight years after a court ruling.",
    "Cannabis shops proliferate despite non-operational Cannabis for Personal Use Act.",
    "Labat Africa, a cannabis business, faces financial difficulties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}