Cannabis on the Garden Route: Law, Etiquette and Travel Tips

Cannabis on the Garden Route: the short answer

Visitors to the Garden Route often ask whether cannabis is legal in South Africa. Private use and possession by adults are covered by a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling, while selling and public use remain prohibited. This guide covers the rules and the practical side.

More on South Africa: Travelling With Cannabis To and From South Africa, Cannabis and Driving in South Africa, South Africa Cannabis Law for Tourists in 2026.

The rules for visitors on the Garden Route

• Private use: Adults may use and possess cannabis in private and grow it for personal use. The 2018 ruling does not cover selling.
• No legal shops for visitors: Buying from street dealers is illegal, and the quality is unknown.
• Public places: Use in public places is not allowed.
• Driving: Driving under the influence is an offence.
• Travel: Never take cannabis to the airport, onto a plane or across a border.
• Age: You must be 18 or older, and venues usually check your ID or passport.

Private clubs and venues on the Garden Route

Some venues operate as private clubs or member venues, and each one sets its own membership and admission rules and may refuse a visitor. Zazapass currently lists no venue on the Garden Route. The venues Zazapass lists are in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The Zazapass Invite Pass covers only the entry fee at participating venues, if the venue accepts you, and does not guarantee admission. See the passes page for current Invite Passes.

Getting to and around the Garden Route

The Garden Route runs along the N2 between Mossel Bay and the Tsitsikamma area. George Airport is the usual gateway, and a rental car is the best way to travel the route and stop in places like Knysna, Wilderness and Plettenberg Bay.

The Garden Route in practice

The area is known for beaches, lagoons, forests and the Tsitsikamma National Park. Lodges, guest houses and parks set their own rules, and many do not allow cannabis, so ask before you bring anything.

Etiquette: how not to be that tourist

• Bring your passport or ID. Venues check age and identity.
• Consume only in private, in places where it is allowed. Ask your host or accommodation first.
• Do not consume in public, in vehicles or at the beach.
• Never drive after consuming. Use a ride-hailing app or a taxi.
• Follow the house rules of every venue, lodge or guest house.
• Do not buy from street sellers.

FAQ: Cannabis on the Garden Route

Is it legal to smoke weed on the Garden Route?

In private, adults are covered by the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling. Use in public places is not allowed, and neither is selling. Always follow the house rules of the venue or accommodation.

Does an Invite Pass guarantee entry to a venue?

No. The Zazapass Invite Pass covers only the entry fee at participating venues, if the venue accepts you. Each venue decides about admission and may refuse a visitor.

Can I take cannabis on a flight in South Africa?

No. Do not take cannabis through airport security or onto any flight, and never across a border.

Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction and can change. You must be 18 or older. This guide is for information only and is not legal advice.