South Africa made history by legalising private marijuana use just before the elections this year – a move that went largely unnoticed.
Also read: National Assembly to consider Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill today
The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (CfPPA) regulates the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis by adults in a private setting. South Africa first legalised the private use of marijuana in September 2018 and the Constitutional Court ordered Parliament to draft new laws to reflect this ruling.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
In addition, the CfPPA’s regulatory reform will remove cannabis from the Drugs and Drugs Trafficking Act entirely, which will enable the amendment of the Schedules to the Medicines and Related Substances Act, the Plant Breeders Rights Act, the Plant Improvement Act and other pieces of legislation that will need to be amended to allow the industrialisation of the cannabis sector.
‘[Ramaphosa] finally found his pen at last, and cannabis is no longer classified as a dangerous, dependence-producing substance in South Africa,’ says Myrtle Clarke, co-founder of Fields of Green for ALL, an NGO which campaigns for cannabis reform.
‘Now we can move on to what to do about trade, which remains illegal.’
According to a presidential statement, the Bill also outlines how medical cannabis can be given to children.
However, dealing in cannabis remains prohibited, unless it is for medicinal purposes or has been prescribed by a doctor, Al Jazeera reports.
‘What the bill effectively does is if for some reason you get caught with some amount of cannabis that a policeman thinks is too much for your personal use, you can’t be charged as a drug dealer,’ Clarke adds.
Unleash your inner explorer with these incredible car deals, all priced under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Also read:
WC rental remains the highest as national average approaches R9k pm
Picture: Ryan Lange / Unsplash
