Hemp in South Africa and the governments inability and stagnation to allow hemp to be classified as a commercial legal crop has hindered the industry in South Africa, an industry that would help a nation that is desperately trying to create more jobs in spite of a government that has been plagued by corruption. Though the situation is slowly changing, South Africa recently allowed the personal cultivation of cannabis and now see’s smoking it in ones home the same way as alcohol is legal.

However the legality of hemp and in particular the large scale commercial farming of hemp is still in limbo, awaiting the governments final legislation on the matter. Hemp in South Africa has been pushed forward primarily by one man, Tony Budden who owns hemporium, he has done amazing work in showcasing all the possibilities of hemp. Even building his house on the outskirts of Cape Town out of hempcrete and using as much hemp on the interiors as possible.

There are more and more hemp companies popping up throughout South Africa, the demand for the products is definitely there, the shame is that the supply has to come from other countries due to governments legaslation on hemp.