No. THCA is not explicitly legal in South Africa, as the 2026 amendments to the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act (Act 140 of 1992) classify all tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isomers—including THCA—as Schedule 7 substances, criminalizing possession, cultivation, or distribution without a Section 22 permit from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
Key Regulations for THCA in South Africa
- Schedule 7 Classification: THCA falls under Schedule 7 of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, aligning it with THC and other prohibited cannabinoids, rendering unauthorized handling a criminal offense.
- SAHPRA Permit Requirement: Only licensed entities may cultivate, process, or possess THCA for medical or research purposes, with permits subject to stringent compliance audits under the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965).
- 2026 Amendments: Recent legislative updates explicitly expanded the definition of “cannabis” to include “all derivatives, extracts, and isomers,” closing prior loopholes that permitted THCA in hemp products.