Dagga can put the economy on a new high, but the draft cannabis Bill has missed this opportunity entirely. So says University of Pretoria’s Dr Tracy Muwanga, who was one of many speakers unpacking the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill that is up for public comment this month.
A Sunday Times Daily report says cannabis activists, legal minds and other interested parties gathered virtually for the university’s webinar this week on “Legalising cannabis in South Africa. Where are we at and where are we going?”
Muwanga said while the Bill had some positive aspects such as providing for the ‘expungement of prior criminal records regarding the use and/or possession of cannabis in terms of the relevant legislation’, it did not take into account the economic potential cannabis held.
“The Bill does not set a tone or a path for the development of the cannabis sector in the country, because this could maximise many opportunities while regulating the risks that are involved. It doesn't cater for commercial aspects. In terms of this Bill, you can possess cannabis, you can cultivate it and use it within the legal framework they are providing. But if you purchase it, then you are committing a crime,” said Muwanga.
A Cape Argus report details further criticisms against the draft Bill. Attorney Paul-Michael Keichel, who represented ‘dagga couple’ Julian Stobbs and Myrtle Clarke, whose arrest in 2011 led to the September 2018 Constitutional Court judgment legalising personal use and possession of cannabis, said: ‘This Bill is drafted by the Department of Justice, the same department that led the defence of the constitutional challenges and fought tooth and nail to hold on to prohibition.’
Meanwhile, founder member of the South African Drug Policy Initiative, Dr Keith Scott, said: ‘The Bill does not reflect the spirit of the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling. While affluent communities will benefit enormously from the Bill as it stands, its requirements effectively exclude the millions of South Africans who lack the space to grow and consume cannabis in such strict conditions.’
[link url="https://select.timeslive.co.za/news/2020-11-04-toke-about-missing-the-boat-cannabis-bill-gets-it-wrong/"]Full Sunday Times Daily report[/link]
[link url="https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/draft-cannabis-bill-a-downer-and-highly-contentious-says-lobbyists-27a4101a-6f53-4d31-a7cf-10d057428214"]Full Cape Argus report[/link]