Police block sale of Durban Poison drink

POLICE officers have allegedly told liquor stores to remove a “cannabis-infused beer” from their shelves, despite it containing no illegal substances.

Two liquor stores in Hermanus have allegedly been told by the SAPS to stop selling Durban Poison Cannabis Lager, pending an investigation.

Durban Poison owner Graeme Bird said he told the police the product was legal, but the stores have not been given the go-ahead to resume sales.

“The SAPS liquor officer in Hermanus was apparently instructed to tell the Eastcliffe Tops and Checkers Liquor store in Hermanus to stop selling our Cannabis Lager because it’s illegal,” Bird said.

“We’ve tried to explain the legality and that we are stocked all over the country.”

The Durban Poison brew uses hemp seeds. Hemp is legal for commercial use in South Africa.

Surprisingly, it is also closely related to hops, which are traditionally used to flavour beer.

Bird supplied the police with a certificate of analysis from the National Analytic Forensic Services which showed there was no trace of controlled substances THC, CBD or cannabinol (cannabis) detected in a sample of the beer.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said the police were investigating the Durban Poison Cannabis Lager.

“Hermanus police have opened an enquiry about the product for further investigation. However, no liquor was confiscated by the police from any liquor outlet,” Rwexana said.

Bird said he would be flying to Cape Town to meet with representatives from Distell and the SAPS next week.

The Weekend Argus has seen an email from Hermanus police saying orders came from SAPS’ provincial liquor control unit, to remove the product from all stockists.

“Yesterday (Monday) we received a telephone call from Provincial Liquor Control that all these products must be removed from the shelves of retailers selling this product,” the email read.

The manager of Tops Hermanus did not want to comment until the dispute with the police was resolved.

“The stores say the product is in demand so they aren’t too happy.

“It’s an interesting example of the lack of clear understanding about legality within this period of transition from prohibition until full legalisation.

“There really is a need for some internal education within the SAPS given the Constitutional Court ruling and the proliferation of cannabis products,” Bird said.

It Is an interesting example of the lack of clear understanding about legality within this period

Graeme Bird

Durban Poison owner