Find cannabis in South Africa

Q: Buying cannabis in South Africa — what are the rules?

Prohibited. There is no legal recreational retail or ordinary pharmacy market for THC cannabis in South Africa. A right to private use and private cultivation does not create any legal recreational sales channel.

Q: Medical access in South Africa — what are the rules?

Medical use only. Medical access to THC cannabis is through an exceptional Section 21 named-patient route: a physician applies to SAHPRA for a separate authorization, with the product imported or dispensed via an authorized pharmacy. This is not an ordinary recreational or pharmacy market. Conditions: Prescription or medical card required.

Q: Tourist access in South Africa — what are the rules?

Prohibited. Tourists have no legal way to buy THC cannabis in South Africa. There is no recreational retail, and medical access runs only through an exceptional named-patient route.

318 venues · 55 cities

Medical only (prescription)Tourist access: Prohibited · Medical access: Medical use only

Before visiting a club

Find a club nearby and open its listing for the address and contact.
Ask the club whether you can join, what its minimum age is, and whether an introduction or appointment is needed.
Confirm the ID to bring, membership fee and opening hours before setting off.
Ask what is available to members and whether on-site use is permitted. The club decides whether to admit you.

Find clubs on the map

South Africa's legal purchase channel is the Section 21 named-patient route: a doctor applies to SAHPRA, a separate authorization is issued, and product comes via import or an authorized pharmacy. Private use and private cultivation are allowed but are not legal recreational retail; there is no ordinary recreational or pharmacy market.

Prohibited: There is no legal recreational retail or ordinary pharmacy market for THC cannabis in South Africa. A right to private use and private cultivation does not create any legal recreational sales channel. Last reviewed 2026-08-30.

How do you buy cannabis legally in South Africa?

A doctor applies to SAHPRA for a Section 21 authorization; product then comes via import or an authorized pharmacy. Private use/cultivation is not legal retail.

Pharmacies

THC capDepends on product and SAHPRA authorization.

Source: sahpra.org.za

Last reviewed2026-08-30

Full law guide for South Africa

Is cannabis legal in South Africa?

Buying cannabis in South Africa — what are the rules?Prohibited

Private use and private cultivation do not create a legal way to buy cannabis.

There is no legal recreational retail.

Answer verified on 2026-08-30. · Sources and references

Tourist access in South Africa — what are the rules?Prohibited

No recreational retail exists; medical access is via an exceptional Section 21 route, not a tourist channel.

Never carry cannabis across a national border.

Answer verified on 2026-08-30. · Sources and references

Medical access in South Africa — what are the rules?Medical use only

Medical access to THC cannabis is through an exceptional Section 21 named-patient route: a physician applies to SAHPRA for a separate authorization, with the product imported or dispensed via an authorized pharmacy. This is not an ordinary recreational or pharmacy market.

Prescription or medical card required

Access is a named-patient exception requiring SAHPRA authorization, not an over-the-counter or general pharmacy route.

Not available as a routine or tourist channel.

Answer verified on 2026-08-30. · Sources and references

Can tourists buy cannabis in South Africa?

Tourists have no legal way to buy THC cannabis in South Africa. There is no recreational retail, and medical access runs only through an exceptional named-patient route.

Answer verified on 2026-08-30.

Cannabis venues in South Africa at a glance

How many cannabis venues are listed in South Africa?

420.camp lists 318 cannabis venues in South Africa: 316 private clubs, 1 cannabis dispensary, 1 cbd & hemp shop.

What do the listings in South Africa include?

Opening hours: 310. Phone number: 273. Photos: 300. Confirmed by the owner or a licence check: 0.

Do venues in South Africa admit members only?

317 admit members only.

Sources and references

South Africa legal referenceTier 5 · sahpra.org.za

420.camp editorial review process

Last reviewed: 2026-08-30
Next scheduled review: 2026-11-28

This is a plain-language informational summary, not legal advice. Rules can change and may differ by municipality or venue. Check the linked official sources before acting.

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