But that idea has gone up in smoke, with medical experts saying it will still be illegal for recreational use.

"Cannabis is not being legalised, it's being rescheduled from a schedule 7 drug to a schedule 6 medicine," said SA Medical Association spokesman Mzukisi Grootboom.

"Unfortunately, the general response has been that it is a drug that is going to be freely available and accessed for social use - but it's not going to be like that. You won't be able to just walk into a coffee shop and order it."

Earlier this month the Medicines Control Council said it would publish draft guidelines that would be open for public comment soon. The guidelines will include details on standardisation, the manufacturing of the medicine and where it will be available.

The IFP has been a pioneer of the move, following the introduction of the Medical Innovation Bill in 2014 by former IFP MP Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, who faced a battle with terminal cancer before his death later that year.

IFP chief whip Narend Singh said that, although there were a number of people in favour of and opposing the proposed legislation, he had encountered more who were for it.

Grootboom said the rescheduling was welcomed by Sama as it allowed access to the medicine for more research.

"When the issue was brought to parliament, we had a look at what was happening internationally in Europe and the US and there are claims that it's useful for certain interventions. There is evidence that it helps with chronic pain, nausea and vomiting."

The first roll-out of the medicine is unlikely to take place in April as planned .

"First, the guideline document on growing cannabis for medicinal use will have to be published for public comment," said the MCC's Griffith Molewa. The comments will be considered and worked into the guideline document. The MCC will publish it to be implemented."

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Get the dope on dagga medicine - Times LIVE