Charles Muchoki | Africa Guardian
The distrust in big pharmaceutical corporations has spurred a global move toward alternative healing, yet cannabis continues to face stigma in South Africa, writes Connor Davis.
Since the Constitutional Court’s landmark 2018 decision to decriminalize cannabis, the industry has seen notable growth. In 2024 alone, cannabis revenue is projected to reach R5.5 billion. However, South Africa’s growth in this space lags behind regions like North America and Europe, largely due to lingering misconceptions about cannabis as a counterproductive or even dangerous substance.
This stigma is particularly strong among older generations—ironically, those who stand to benefit most from medical cannabis. Despite a broader shift toward plant-based therapies like nootropics and functional mushrooms, cannabis remains burdened by its criminalized past.
Anton Ofield-Kerr, co-founder of AKOS BIO, an online pharmacy specializing in high-grade medical cannabis, highlights the root of this hesitation: “Many potential patients are reluctant to use cannabis due to a lack of awareness about its effectiveness in treating various medical conditions.”
Ofield-Kerr, who previously worked to expand South Africa’s HIV clinics and advocate for access to antiretrovirals, emphasizes that many patients lack guidance on how to use cannabis effectively. Without proper education, initial negative experiences can deter them from trying again.
Legally, South African patients can access medical cannabis with a doctor’s prescription under a Section 21 application granted by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). However, the absence of a robust regulatory framework for manufacturing medical cannabis has hindered widespread adoption.
Unregulated access to cannabis remains a significant issue, leaving many consumers unaware of the quality or safety of the products they’re using. This is where AKOS BIO steps in, offering South Africans access to locally sourced, GMP-certified medical cannabis. Until now, most high-quality cannabis products were exported to markets in the UK, Europe, Australia, and North America.
AKOS BIO is among the first companies to fully comply with South Africa’s regulatory framework, providing safe, quality-assured cannabis therapies. Yet, another hurdle remains: local doctors are not adequately trained to prescribe medical cannabis responsibly, often viewing it as a fringe treatment.
This hesitancy stems from decades of global prohibition. The 1961 United Nations treaty that criminalized medical cannabis, alongside substances like LSD and psilocybin, halted research for decades. Although scientific interest has recently reignited, many healthcare providers remain cautious.
“The irony,” Ofield-Kerr points out, “is that cannabis has far fewer side effects and is safer than many commonly prescribed drugs, like opioids and antidepressants.”
To drive industry growth, pharmacies like AKOS BIO must tackle misconceptions head-on, ensuring transparency, quality, and education. Collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, and businesses is critical to reshaping public perception and unlocking cannabis’s potential as a legitimate medical treatment.
If South Africa can overcome these challenges, the cannabis industry could grow exponentially, boosting the economy while expanding access to life-changing natural therapies.
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