Glossary
Schedule 4
Prescription-only medicines; includes most THC:CBD combination oils.
Schedule 4 medicines in South Africa require a doctor’s prescription. Most balanced THC:CBD oil formulations used in medical cannabis prescribing fall into Schedule 4. Dispensing is by a licensed pharmacy, and the prescription is valid for a defined period. For unregistered products accessed under Section 21, this scheduling still applies — the Section 21 authorisation is the legal mechanism permitting their importation and use.
Related terms
- Schedule 0OTC category in South Africa; allows low-dose CBD under Gazette 43347 conditions.
- Schedule 6Higher-risk prescription medicines; includes THC-dominant cannabis products.
- Section 21SAHPRA authorisation for access to unregistered medicines — the primary legal pathway for medical cannabis in SA.