cannabis

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South Africa’s cannabis pioneers say the legal war isn’t won yet

Here’s how you can help shape cannabis laws in South Africa.

cannabis

Photo: Pixabay

There are 900 000 cannabis farmers in South Africa, and approximately 20 million cannabis users. So says Myrtle Clarke, one half of the Dagga Couple who have been pioneering cannabis-friendly legislation in South Africa for eight years.

Cannabis advocates won a huge victory last year when the Constitutional Court ruled cannabis consumption legal for personal use in private places. But the battle against bureaucracy is far from over – and the legal war has just begun.

From a movement to a booming industry

Myrtle works for an organisation called Field of Green for All. They are pushing for cannabis to be legal not only for personal consumption, but also for cultivation and trade on a commercial scale.

“Nowhere else in the world can you find this number of people growing weed – from the pensioner with one pot plant on her balcony, all the way through to the massive technology-driven indoor growers,” Myrtle said at The Cannabis Expo in Cape Town.

“We need to get laws in place passed in parliament that allow for the use and trade and cultivation of cannabis for all South Africans.”

Paving the way for legal regulation

Myrtle and her team have been working on preparing a document to present to Parliament. This document, called the Proposal for the Legal Regulation of Cannabis in South Africa, is a roadmap of how they would ideally like to see cannabis regulated as a commercial industry in our country.

“We need to be prepared to tell the government what we want,” Myrtle says. “Just like any other business, you have to have a plan.”

It is crucial for weed lovers in the burgeoning industry to proceed in a lawful and above-board manner.

“We need to have principles when it comes to laws that we want,” Myrtle says. “If you do not proceed into legal cannabis industry with integrity then we’re all going to suffer.”

What you can do about it

As a member of the South African public, you can have your say in this cause in two ways. Firstly, you can read, share and add your suggestions to the Proposal for the Legal Regulation of Cannabis in South Africa.

Secondly, you can sign the Dagga Couple’s petition calling for the re-legalisation of the use of the cannabis plant for all applications – industrial, medicinal, spiritual, religious and recreational. So far, the petition has already garnered over 30 000 signatures.

Zootly Say’s: Help the Dagga Couple pave the way to a greener South Africa by signing their petition.

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DESIRED OUTCOMES: HAVE YOU READ YOUR COPY? It’s FREE TO DOWNLOAD OR ORDER A HARD COPY bit.ly/desired_outcomes “we don’t believe there have been draft regulations produced anywhere that include the majority of the population and make reparations for the harms of prohibition like these do” Now, more than ever, it is really important to stand together to make the voices of people who use, cultivate and trade in Cannabis in South Africa heard, loud and clear. IMPACTS Active citizenry Changes to law and policy Legitimising informal / illegal trade Reduction in victimisation Reduction in poverty Reduction in police corruption Reduction in corruption in the judicial system Relief for prisons and justice system Significant contribution to GDP OUTPUTS Increased awareness and visibility of benefits Reduced stigma Legal advice for the general public Change in medical practise Progress towards a viable, legal Cannabis Industry Engagement with the public and, after litigation is complete, with government Creation of sustainable business opportunities Skills development and job creation Fostering entrepreneurship Building a community of practise and support HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS / SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FINAL DRAFT: This is a discussion document. Please be part of the discussion by clicking on the link below to submit your comments. If you can help with the drafting of the final document, please sign up to become a member of The Green Network. PLEASE SUBMIT COMMENT VIA THIS LINK: https://podio.com/webforms/20043361/1361201 #growsouthafrica #wherearethegoodcops #Stopthearrests #stoplockingusupincages #ExpertWitness #Cannabis #Marijuana #Dagga #CognitiveLiberty #sovereignty #humanrights #stoptheharm #supportdontpunish #nothingaboutuswithoutus

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