SA Cannabis for Private Purposes Act signed into law
On 28 May 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (CfPPA). The Act regulates the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis by adults in a private setting.
The CfPPA removes cannabis from the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. It also paves the way for the amendment of the Schedules to the Medicines and Related Substances Act and provides for the targeted regulatory reform of the Plant Breeders Rights Act and Plant Improvement Act.
The CfPPA also guides the medically prescribed administration of cannabis to a child whilst also protecting children from undue exposure to cannabis. It provides for an alternative manner by which to address the issue of prohibited use, possession of, or dealing in, cannabis, by children, with due regard to the best interests of the child.
Dealing in cannabis remains prohibited.
Detailed discussion on the bill which has now been enacted into law is set out in the article at President to Puff, Puff, Pass Cannabis Bill into Law – Adams & Adams.
The Act still needs to be promulgated and advertised in the Government Gazette before it will be in force. Regulations also need to be drafted and enacted.

ARIPO – increase in official fees and amendments to Harare Protocol and Regulations to come into effect 1 March 2025
In a notice signed by the Director General of ARIPO, Bemanya Twebaze dated 31 January 2025, ARIPO announced that amendments to the Harare Protocol and Regulations will come into effect on 1 March 2025...
February 10 2025

OAPI - New Official Fees for Patents and Utility Models
As part of the implementation of Annex I of the revised Bangui Agreement, OAPI has published new official fees which apply to all patent and utility model applications fled after 1 January 2025. This ...
February 05 2025

Libya – Trade Mark Update
The Ministry of Economy in Libya recently issued a decree outlining updated requirements for trade mark renewals. Upon renewal, trade mark proprietors are now required to submit a financial statement ...
January 22 2025