Press Releases
Building a Clinic in Malawi
For families in Malawi’s remote Chikuluma community, reliable permanent healthcare has long been out of reach. Doctors For Life International (DFL) is now building a permanent clinic through its Aid to Africa (A2A) programme. Opening soon, it will bring essential medical care closer to people with little or no access to it and support lasting health improvements. DFL’s involvement in Chikuluma, in Machinga District, began with medical outreaches in 2016.
Legal News
On 23 February 2026, the Equality High Court in Cape Town granted Doctors for Life International (DFL) permission to participate as amicus curiae (a friend of the court) in a case concerning alleged “transgender” discrimination at a high school in the Western Cape. The Court is allowing DFL to present expert medical evidence showing that gender is rooted in, and inseparable from, biological sex. The evidence will also show that the practice of socially transitioning children to a gender opposite to their biological sex as a treatment for gender dysphoria is harmful and has been discredited in the international medical community.
The experts will refer to recent international developments, including the 2024 Cass Review in the United Kingdom, which found that the scientific evidence supporting gender-transition interventions for minors is weak and uncertain. There has also been growing controversy surrounding the WPATH Standards of Care following what has become known as the “WPATH Files”. In addition, several European countries have recently limited gender-transition interventions for children due to the harm it can do.
The case is scheduled to be heard in the Cape Town High Court in October 2026.
Closing the Loophole on Hemp(Press Release)
Media Release
Embargo: Immediate release Enquiries: Doctors For Life
Date: 2 November 2024 Telephone: 032 4815550
USA – Closing the Loophole on Hemp-Derived Cannabis Products
Article contributors: Alyssa F. Harlow, Adam M. Leventhal, Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
A recent authoritative article from the USA has exposed a loophole in the American legislation concerning hemp. The general public in South Africa, and to a certain extent medical practitioners, also consider hemp as an innocent drug. DFL would like to make the South African public aware of this loophole that is becoming very relevant to South Africa. The following is a shorted version of the original article (link at bottom)
The USA federal policy loophole allows psychotropic ie, mind-altering or intoxicating, cannabis products to be commercially marketed and sold across the US-including in states where recreational cannabis is not legal.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill,1 legalized the growth and sale of hemp. Hemp is defined as a botanical class of the cannabis sativa plant that contains low concentrations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC, which is the most well-studied psychotropic cannabis-specific compound [ie, cannabinoid]) and high concentrations of non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD).1
However, hemp also contains low concentrations of hundreds of other cannabinoids besides CBD and THC,2 which, until recently, were believed to be present in amounts too small to produce psychotropic effects.
Under the protection of the Farm Bill,1manufacturers can synthesize and sell hemp-derived cannabis products with psychotropic doses of cannabinoids, such as Δ8-THC, ΔO-THC, Δ10-THC, and hexahydrocannabinol, and others.
These hemp-derived cannabis products produce similar psychotropic effects as Δ9-THC and are being sold across the US as vape cartridges, edibles, concentrates (eg, potent extracts), and tinctures (eg, infused liquids). Hemp-derived cannabis products are also being marketed and sold widely in South Africa, all largely unregulated. Clinicians and policy makers should be aware of public health concerns of widely available, psychotropic, hemp-derived cannabis products that are being manufactured and sold with little regulation, leading to potential health and safety risks. There are 6 main concerns:
1) First, unlike traditional state-regulated Δ9-THC cannabis that is sold in medical or recreational dispensaries for adult use, psychotropic, hemp-derived cannabis products are sold online and by retailers (eg, vape and smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations). Retailers selling these products do not have the same safeguards in place that state-run cannabis control bureaus have developed to reduce potential harm to consumers.3 For example, there is no established minimum purchasing age for hemp-derived cannabis products. In addition, there are no requirements for hemp-derived products to include warning labels for the presence of THC, or instructions on their packaging regarding appropriate doses. Retailers that sell psychotropic, hemp-derived cannabis products may also sell alcohol and tobacco products like e-cigarettes and cigarettes; this increases the potential for co-use of multiple substances, which can lead to excessive impairment and greater risk of drug dependence.
2) Second, hemp-derived cannabis products have marketing features that may appeal to youth. For example, such products are available as chocolates, gummies, cookies, and brownies and the packaging and advertisements often use bright and colorful designs. In addition, hemp-derived cannabis vape cartridges come in a wide range of sweet and fruity flavors, which increase appeal among youth and young adults. Because of their similarity to candy and food products, accidental exposure by children, adults, and animals is a concern. Between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, national poison control centers received reports of 2362 cases of Δ8-THC exposures, of which 40% involved accidental exposure to Δ8-THC (82% among youth), 70% required evaluation at a health care facility, 8% were admitted to a critical care unit, and 1 pediatric death was reported. 2 Animal poison control centers have also seen an increase in reports of accidental pet exposure to Δ8-THC.2
3)Third, there is no standardized approach or certification process to synthesizing psychotropic, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and such products could contain dangerous and toxic byproducts. Hemp plants naturally contain low concentrations of psychotropic cannabinoids; manufacturers must first extract CBD from hemp, which they then convert to psychotropic cannabinoids through a series of chemical reactions. Independent laboratory tests of legally purchased hemp-derived cannabis products have revealed the presence of toxic heavy metals (eg, lead), residual solvents (eg, acetone), and multiple unidentified compounds with unknown toxicological harms.4 Inhalation of contaminated cannabis vaping products can lead to serious lung injury, as evidenced by the 2019 EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury) outbreak.5
4) Fourth, the psychotropic properties of some hemp-derived cannabis products may be less potent than Δ9THC. Because of lower potency, individuals may consume higher volumes of hemp-derived cannabis products than traditional Δ9-THC products, leading to adverse effects such as hallucinations, vomiting, tremor, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.2 It is not uncommon to see gummies with 50 mg of Δ8-THC per serving (compared with 5-10 mg of Δ9-THC in a standard product sold in a dispensary).
In addition, other synthesized THC isomers may be more potent than Δ9-THC. For example, at the same dose, ΔO-THC is considered 3 times stronger6 than traditional Δ9-THC, and products often contain a blend of different hemp-derived THC isomers. Consumers may not be aware of such differences and may be at risk for adverse effects from receiving a dose of a hemp-derived cannabinoid with higher potency than anticipated.
6) Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,7 hemp-derived cannabis products cannot be sold as dietary supplements, food products, or marketed with medical claims. However, beyond issuing a health alert and several warning letters to a small number of companies, there has been little action by the FDA to regulate hemp-derived cannabis products. In the absence of federal regulatory action, 21 states have enacted legislation to restrict or ban the sale of psychotropic, hemp-derived cannabis products.8
However, the sale of psychotropic, hemp-derived cannabis products remains legal in 29 states and in Washington DC, and online sales may render state regulations ineffective.
In conclusion, many of the potential harms of hemp-derived cannabis products stem from a lack of regulation, including the potential for harmful contaminants, accidental exposure, cross-product sale with tobacco and alcohol, and youth appeal. This we believe contributes to the public perception, especially our youth, that all hemp-derived cannabis producs are safe. Government regulators should prioritize new hemp policies that ensure prohibition of sale to minors; set requirements for testing, packaging, and labeling; and place limits on potency and concentration of psychotropic products.
Footnotes
Doctors For Life International is not the author of the above article. This is a shortened version of the original article that can be found here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10406389/
No Conflict of Interest Disclosures were reported
Contributor Information
Alyssa F. Harlow, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Institute for Addiction Science, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles..
Adam M. Leventhal, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Institute for Addiction Science, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles..
Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Institute for Addiction Science, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles..
Doctors for Life International represents more than 1500 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of whom practice in South Africa. Since 1991 DFL has been actively promoting sound science in the medical profession and health care that is safe and efficient for all South Africans. For more information visit: http://www.doctorsforlife.co.za
REFERENCES
- 1. Farm Bill. Accessed September 15, 2022. https://www.usda.gov/farmbill
- 2. US Food and Drug Administration. 5 things to know about delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol-delta-8 THC. Accessed September 16, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol-delta-8-thc[PMC free article] [PubMed]
- 3. Leas EC. The hemp loophole: a need to clarify the legality of delta-8-THC and other hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol compounds. Am J Public Health. 2021;111(11):1927-1931. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306499 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4. US Cannabis Council. The unregulated distribution and sale of consumer products marketed as delta-8 THC. Accessed September 16, 2022. https://irp.cdn-website.com/6531d7ca/files/uploaded/USCC%20Delta-8%20Kit.pdf
- 5. The EVALI outbreak and vaping in the COVID-19 era. Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8(9):831. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30360-X [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 6. Levenson MS. Meet THC-O acetate, a hemp-derived compound three times stronger than THC. Published August 19, 2021. Accessed September 16, 2022. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-thc-o[Google Scholar]
- 7. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Accessed October 31, 2022. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-973/pdf/COMPS-973.pdf
- 8. Cornwell AM. Where is delta-8 THC available or banned? (map of states). Published September 6, 2022. Accessed September 16, 2022. https://cbdoracle.com/news/policy/delta-8-thc-legal/[Google Scholar]
Africa Health and Medlab 2024 Conference
DFL was invited to present its stance on abortion at the recent Africa Health Conference and Medlab, held at the ICC in Cape Town. In addition, DFL was provided with a complimentary exhibitor's table to showcase its work.
Nearly 500 exhibitors of medical products from over 50 nations were expected at this international conference, with more than 7,000 visitors anticipated over the course of three days, including approximately 3,000 delegates. DFL had the opportunity to engage with many exhibitors and attendees.
Dr. Monica Molatlegi represented DFL during the ethical session and participated in the debate on abortion. She laid the foundation for the pro-life stance by explaining that life begins at fertilization, referencing the Carnegie stages of embryonic development, which is considered the gold standard in embryology. Her insights received enthusiastic support from several delegates.
The Africa Health Conference also invited DFL to participate in a debate and open Q&A session on abortion during one of the ethical panels. Dr. Monica Molatlegi represented DFL, effectively presented the organization’s stance on abortion.
Here are additional photos of the other exhibitors at the conference.
Johan Claassen and Francois Williams were manning the DFL exhibit table and engaging with visitors.
Proposed Legislation to Decriminalise Prostitution is Withdrawn (Press Release)
Doctors for Life International (DFL) is pleased to announce the withdrawal of the proposed Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Draft Amendment Bill, which aimed to decriminalise prostitution. DFL’s diligent efforts and well-received written submissions have played a significant role in this decision by the Deputy Minister of Justice.
DFL’s comprehensive and well-reasoned submissions presented a compelling argument against the decriminalisation of prostitution. It included testimonies from individuals with experience in the industry, both as ex prostitutes and pimps, providing valuable insights into the realities and exploitation within the trade.
Furthermore, DFL incorporated expert evidence from esteemed medical professionals and academics across various disciplines. Their contributions provided a thorough analysis and presented the latest research findings on the inherent harm associated with the prostitution industry. By highlighting the physical, emotional, and psychological consequences experienced by prostitutes and clients, DFL effectively emphasised the importance of maintaining legislation that criminalises prostitution to prevent exploitation and protect individuals.
DFL’s submissions also underscored the broader societal impact of decriminalising prostitution. By referencing comprehensive studies, the organisation highlighted the adverse outcomes that persist regardless of whether prostitution is decriminalised, criminalised, or legalised. Including increased human trafficking, the spread of sexually transmitted infections, and the erosion of social norms. These considerations highlighted the necessity of protecting society as a whole from the effects of such legislation.
This victory demonstrates DFL’s continued commitment to help individuals exit the sex trade and uphold the principles of human dignity. By successfully advocating against the proposed amendment bill, and running an exit program, DFL ensures the continued protection of vulnerable individuals and safeguards society from adverse consequences associated with the decriminalisation of prostitution.
Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill: Public Hearings (Press Release)
Doctors for Life International (DFL) submitted their stance to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, expressing their opposition to the inclusion of hemp commercialisation in the contentious cannabis bill. Despite receiving resistance from some stakeholders who dismissed DFL’s right to be heard, Dr WL Sieling delivered an outstanding presentation, grounded in medical science.
During the discussion, Dr Sieling warned that the passage of the United States Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 legalised hemp cultivation for commercial purposes. However, this legalisation inadvertently created a legal loophole that certain American businesses exploited to market and sell Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC is an isomer of Delta-9 THC with comparable adverse effects.
In addition to newly discovered THC isomers like delta-8 THC, there is an increasing concern surrounding hemp derived CBD. Consumer products containing CBD are being falsely marketed, making claims about their supposed health benefits and overall wellness effects. A recent article authored by researchers from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides insight into the potential risks of CBD, including developmental and reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and interference with essential metabolic pathways and liver enzyme functions. The toxicological profile of CBD raises concerns regarding its safety, particularly when consumed by the general population over an extended period.
The South African Government’s optimism about hemp as a source of job creation and revenue may also be misguided. The United States Department of Agriculture’s latest National Hemp Report indicates significant declines in the value and cultivation of hemp crops across various metrics. The report states that the value of hemp production in the United States decreased by 71 percent compared to 2021. This decline reflects a market correction, as the exaggerated publicity surrounding hemp as a miraculous cure-all substance begins to fade away.
The video to DFL’s submission before the committee can be viewed here:
Legalising cannabis fails to address health risks: UN drugs control board (Press Release)
The United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warns in its most recent annual report, that cannabis legalisation causes “negative health effects and psychotic disorders” among some recreational users. It also warned legalisation contravenes the UN 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
“In all jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalised, data show that cannabis-related health problems have increased,” the INCB said. It pointed out that between 2000 and 2018, “global medical admissions related to cannabis dependence and withdrawal increased 800%. Admissions for cannabis-related psychotic disorders have increased 400% worldwide.” Statistical evidence from Colorado (United States) shows that fatal traffic accidents with drivers under the influence of cannabis nearly doubled from 2013 to 2020.
Regarding the recreational use of cannabis, the UN panel expressed concern that the “growing” industry was fuelling the shift to even greater use of the drug, by advertising their products “particularly to young people, in ways that lower the perception of risk”.
In the United States, it has been shown that adolescents and young adults consume significantly more cannabis in federal states where cannabis has been legalised compared to other states where recreational use remains illegal.
New cannabis-based products, including “edibles”, or vaping products marketed in eye-catching packaging have increased the trend, the report’s authors continued, warning that these tactics have contributed to a “trivialisation” of the impacts of cannabis use in the public eye, especially among a younger demographic. “This is a major cause for concern, because the harms associated with using high-potency cannabis products are being played down,” said INCB President Jagjit Pavadia.
The main objective stated by Governments for legalising cannabis has been to reduce criminal activities and increase public health and safety. In its report, the INCB highlights that this objective has not been achieved.
Generating tax income has been listed as another important goal by Governments which promoted legalizing cannabis. The INCB finds that, although tax income from cannabis sales has increased year over year in Canada and the United States, tax revenue has been lower than expected, making up only 1 per cent of the budget in legalising states.
Doctors for Life International notes that these tax benefits are further nullified when considering the added burden and expenses on the heath sector e.g., mental health care, traffic accidents.
The President of the INCB, Jagjit Pavadia said: “Evidence suggests that cannabis legalization has not been successful in dissuading young people from using cannabis, and illicit markets persist.” Data show that illegal cannabis supply continues at high levels in all legalising jurisdictions, reaching 40 per cent in Canada, nearly 50 per cent in Uruguay and even 75 per cent in California.
Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) in individuals using cannabis for medical purposes (Media Release)
The most common conditions for which individuals obtain medical cannabis are pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depressed mood, but evidence for the efficacy of cannabis to treat these symptoms has been mixed.
A follow-up study of a 12-week randomised clinical trial of medical cannabis users, found an association between frequent cannabis use and increased Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) risk, with no significant improvement in pain, anxiety, insomnia, or depression symptom severity. These findings call into question the use of cannabis as an effective tool in relieving clinical symptoms.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Harvard University, one of the world’s most respected medical research institutes. Harvard Medical School consistently ranks as the number one medical school around the globe.
Cannabis use disorder (CUD), also known as cannabis addiction, is defined in the fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and ICD-10 as the continued use of cannabis despite clinically significant impairment. Those who used cannabis 3 or more days per week were 269% more likely to develop CUD.
The study found an association between greater cannabis use and greater pain, indicating that cannabis is not adequately treating pain symptoms. This viewpoint is supported by a recent position paper from the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) that found, after a comprehensive review of research on the use of cannabinoids to treat pain, there was a lack of sufficient evidence to endorse the general use of cannabinoids for the treatment of pain.
The lack of improvement in symptoms of anxiety after 12 months of cannabis use adds to a growing body of literature that does not endorse cannabis as a treatment for these conditions. The lack of benefit from cannabis indicates that individuals with chronic conditions should consider evidence-based treatments.