The current legal status of marijuana in South Africa, as we all know, is illegal. But it’s pretty apparent that the market just keeps on growing; busts are getting bigger and more people are opening up about their support for the herb.
Protesters walk through Cape Town for the Global Marijuana March. May 2012
This is a trend not only in South Africa, but all over the world. The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime’s “World Drug Report” states that between 119 million to 224 million of people 18 and older used marijuana in 2010, making it the most consumed illicit drug in the world. The simple fact is that prohibition doesn’t work, at all. But that isn’t what this article is about. Before we get on to the great possibility of weed being legal in SA, we first need to have a little chat about the United States of America.
America is largely responsible for the worlds’ archaic views on cannabis. It all started with one man, Harry J Anslinger. After prohibition of alcohol had ended, Anslinger was appointed head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.
By using mass media as his weapon, Anslinger propelled his anti-marijuana sentiment to a national movement by spreading false truths, fear, racism and propaganda. By 1937 cannabis became illegal in an act drafted by Anslinger himself. By 1973, president Nixon had officially declared a War on Drugs and formed the current Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Before all of this, cannabis was perfectly legal in most parts of the world, but America’s firm place in the global economy ensured that their views on drug policy were seen internationally.
Fast forward 20 years and America sees it’s first medical marijuana law take shape in California, voted in for the people, by the people – a first step towards the re-legalization of Cannabis. There are currently 18 American States that have medical marijuana laws in place, but there’s still a big issue at hand; Cannabis is considered illegal under federal law. This has led to lots of clashes with the DEA, mostly in the form of arrests and raids on medical marijuana dispensaries and patients. Tax paying businesses which are fully legal under state law are being undermined and ruined by the Feds.
federal agents raid Oaksterdam University, a university in California that provides training for the cannabis industry
A few years ago we wrote about California’s Proposition 19. It was an initiative that would allow Californians to vote on whether cannabis should be legally traded and regulated for recreational use within their State. The vote went down to the wire in 2010, with the proposition losing by an extremely narrow margin. It was a sad day for marijuana activists and supporters across the globe, as what would have been a legalization ice breaker instead fell by the wayside.
Over the past few years, we have seen huge momentum and growth in the US marijuana movement, resulting in both Colorado and Washington fully legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use. The plan is to have a legal and regulated industry for growers, retailers and users. The industry itself may take a few months to be setup and there will undoubtedly be a few teething pains as it takes shape. A few rules also go along with these new laws, but the short and sweet of it is that citizens of these States will no longer be criminals for possessing marijuana.
The move beyond simple decriminalization cements these States firmly in the path of conflicting Federal marijuana laws which fiercely oppose the use of marijuana for any reason whatsoever and will be the litmus test for other States who also wish to move in the legalization direction; as well as testing the reaction of the United Nations. Although decriminalization of marijuana is permitted at the discretion of the respective country (aka Amsterdam), legalization is not permissible under the UN’s Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs; a policy that is under increasing fire due to its counter productivity far outshining its unachievable and misguided intentions.
The War on Drugs has first and foremost been a war on people, initiated by fundamentalist leaders who saw no need to define global drug policies on little more than their judgemental ideals, and yet they have maintained their vice-like grip no matter how epic a fail this policy has repeatedly been proven to be. The line has been drawn in the sand as the US tally now stands at 18 States allowing for medical use and 2 allowing for recreational use, with millions of dollars to be legally made and saved. If California alone can generate over 100 million Dollars in tax revenue per year from the legal sale of medical marijuana (forget hemp and recreational marijuana), shouldn’t we as South Africans, at the very least, be discussing this issue more openly?
What about South Africa?
Unlike Americans, South Africans do not have the luxury of being allowed to decide our laws at a provincial or national level via policies that have been petitioned and qualified for a public vote. We instead have our freedom and liberty defined by politicians who consistently display how out of touch they are or how little they care for the citizens of South Africa, often using our Constitution as little more than an occasional guideline that can be ignored if it does not fit their agenda.
A case in point is The Dagga Couple, who are fighting their way to the Constitutional Court in a bid to assert our right to consume cannabis without persecution. Their case is gaining support from the public and continued media attention is bringing the discussion out into the public domain. This will be the second time our Constitutional Court faces a case regarding the cannabis use, with the current case from The Dagga Couple being fundamentally different in that it seeks to not be limited to religious grounds as was the previous case of Gareth Prince. Another defining factor is public participation in this case in order to demonstrate that this is not a case of two individuals verse the law, but rather a country full of individuals verse the law; individuals who should not be considered criminals simply for consuming cannabis.
Hands need to be raised though to show how large the support for legalization in South Africa is and you can do your bit by completing The Dagga Couple’s petition. As it did in Colorado and Washington, public support is needed in South Africa to make this change happen sooner rather than later.
Week 2 and South Africa's first private hemp plants are growing fast. The rows of seedlings can be seen from a distance.
Already South Africa’s first hemp crop in over a century has sprouted and is on its way to showing fruit, thanks to the immense work done by Tony Budden of Hemporium. A first hand example of what we have to gain from hemp alone will go a long way in showing what we have to gain from cannabis overall.
The big question remains though… “How long ‘till its legalized”? The answer… “How long is a piece of string”? It really is all relative, but the more we push together the sooner we will see change. Colorado and Washington have shown that there is no longer any “if” about the matter.
The “when” is up to us.
About the Author: Sticky Scissors
Co-founder and editor of Below The Lion. User Experience designer. Hippie with a haircut. Appreciator of fine herbs and spices. Nature lover. Animal Lover. Skateboarding is not a crime. Proudly South African.
this is such a shweet article. Dealers will want to keep things the way they are, government wanting a piece of their pie would seriously bum them out im sure… controlling prices, putting them out of business etc. I guess Its a really hard concept to grasp…. decriminalizing/legalizing bud in SA that is. my thumbs are up HIGH tho
PS: thats some fine looking outdoor
Theres this quote from The Union, an awesome cannabis documentary. Review and link to download coming soon!
one ex-dealer being interviewed about legalizing bud in Canada says something along the lines of "how can you compete with companies pumping out perfectly rolled doobies. we'd all be out of business"
i dont think it would happen exactly like that, but it's a good point. if dealers are wanting to keep prohibition, what is that saying?
But out here in SA the stakes of a wed roling fabric is low,every boddy who deals en sell will get a little cut from the cash,more weed despensaries,more weed dealing and shit,People in sa would start dealing bigtime i you know what i mean
there are so many reasons why i would want weed legal, fuck i'd almost even give up smoking! it would get rid of that dodgy nigerian on every corner, i'm probably dying quicker from the fear of getting arrested (which has happened already) than from actually smoking weed, the government would be getting some cash, no more shitty swazi only dank shit, my mom hates me smoking weed and thinks its bad for u simple cuz its illegal.. if it were legal i could tell her 'hah fuck u! its legal!' and i also wouldnt have to drive to ****** to get bud from a stinky white hippy
hahahahahhahaa. 'stinky white hippy'
yo tell that woman why cannabis is so great, you toss. the best gift you can get her for christmas is enlightenment mate.
What you got against hippies?
Stinky white hippies that overcharge. ya. it's probably not a hippie
Damn crack fiends!
If marijuana was legal who is to say it would be cheaper. The government would be quick to seize the money making opportunity IMHO and prices wouldn’t benefit from this. Tax wouldn’t help either..
Its common knowledge that illegal drugs market at higher prices. If it was legal and could be grown on proper farms and grow ops, the price would decrease a huge amount. Do you know how expensive beer was during its prohibition ? People couldn’t even afford it, they use to brew it in bathtubs.
If it was grown on so called proper farms and grow ops by the govt the quality would drop just as quickly as the price. herb is currently grown on a large scale already, and thats where most of o-ur street weed comes from. Have a look at whats going on in cali with regard to herb prices, its not cheaper there…
price doesn’t even matter! you’d be able to grow your own :>
In my opinion…
If you compare S.A. and Cali., firstly S.A. Is a third world country…
So the people growing the majority of commercial bud are rural communities. These people depend on this as a prime cash crop.
If our goverment did legalise, these people would go hungry or move to selling harder contraband.
This country has an extremly conserative outlook on drugs, look at the recent clamp down on liquor laws!
You can’t even drink a beer in public like all over europe.
Besides certain goverments control the drug industry, so if for example, in the usa, they used to /or still do bring in weed from from south america (as well as other drugs!!This too is common info!), acapulco gold,
coloumbian gold, etc. When americans started to grow there own, for higher quality, the goverment had to look at new ways to control the industry. People fight for decriminalisation, but its a War on drugs, the war to control drugs. If you look again at the medical marajauna industry in Cali, you’ll notice that there is a limited number of cannabis facilties allowed to be regiserted. Therefore a monoply, whilst the small fish fight amonst each other, only the goverment really benefits.
The food industry is already controlled by the corporations, using seeds. What do you think would happen to the weed scene.
It was never in the interest of the Cali goverment to increase quality, as the market changed so did there stratagy. The herb is for the people, its a common currency. I’m not saying I’m against legalisation, but just think its unlikely and it would not be a good thing necessarilly in this world as it is. I agree with oscarmilde that it would not get cheaper either. When shit is illegal and there is a booming market, it gets cheaper as there is a competetive price. That’s why tik is cheap..
if marijuana was legal companies which produce ciggarettes would start selling weed with all types of toxins ciggarettes come with and this would take its ‘purity’ away i think weed should be de criminalized but not legalized.
but think about this dude,IF weed gets legal(which i hope it does) you probally wanna grow your own stash and smokeyour own stash AND sell your own stash,so why go by weed sigeretts if you can GROW,SMOKE,SELL your own stuff man and even make monney out of it
Dude if you can grow blackjacks in your yard you can grow weed so it will be free coz all you need is 1 square meter of soil and some sunlight and a little bit of love .Yes its easy and I could teach you to grow evil stuff for FREE!!!
No tax ,No dodgy dealer ,No problems…….sun+soil+water= free weed
Small price to pay for legallity. By allowing the government to levi VAT & sin tax on marijuana, would seem a justifiable cause for the amendment of the drug trafficing act.
But if it were legal, we wouldn’t need to buy. We could all safely grow a plant or 2 in our own back yards! Our south african sun is perfect:)
If it was that easy. My guess is it would be run like the tobacco laws, with a license being required to grow it. You would probably have to pay tax on that plant or two aswell. I prefer the idea of true decriminalization to legalization myself. As long as they can’t take me to jail for a little plant or two then I’m happy.
The law they’re voting for in November says anyone may grow marijuana at a private residence in a space of up to 25 square feet for personal use. That’s more than enough for my personal use.. I’ll send a nice tin of brownies to all my neighbours
Thats in the US right? Hope it gets passed. And the rest of the world follows suit. SA is quite backward as far as medical marijuana research, etc, goes so hopefully we don’t spend years with the government doimg studies eish
hahaha. it’s like how the world told south Africa that the OBE education system doesn’t work, but they implement it anyways, only to remove it a few years later. failure. so yeah, they’ll probably end up doing research studies that the rest of the world have done years ago
oh, and yes. it’s in California, US
You don’t need a license to grow tobacco dude – just to distribute and sell. So if you want to grow you own tobacco in your own garden there is nothing to stop you from doing so – however selling it in bulk or producing your own cigarettes for sale is illegal.
I would think the same kinda rules would apply to cannabis – if you are growing for personal use then no licence required but if you are growing for commercial bulk sale then you need one. Makes sense to me.
The SA sun and land IS perfect! Please Sticky, read my page then get in touch. Peace2u
Do you have an email address Kraema? Please drop me a mail on belowthelion @ gmail.com
The legallity of use and possession of the herb, would probably not include the conservation of the substance. by considering foreign legal systems, such as the state law in california, it is expressley stipulated, that one must obtain certification in order to grow.
This is a definite HELL YEA from me and probably everyone on http://www.weed.co.za, we have been talking and researching this idea for many years now. We have also been following the news from California very closely, and we support them 200%.
Prohibition was a dismal failure, and the governments know this very well. They were the one’s after all that created the booming business of illegal cannabis trading and growing. If and indeed when California sign this bill then the hole world will follow, no doubt about that.
South Africa will follow in their shoes and do it in the same way, they will just give it that african twist as they do with everything. But I have no problem with paying tax on my GREENS, as we do it with everything in this country. So why complain now? It would indeed be the best day of my life when the bill is signed in South Africa. I mean there are more than 25,000 (and counting) uses for this wonderful plant. Government can start thousands of small and large businesses to cater for their dismal failure in creating jobs in this country.
So come on people lets push the envelope and start working together on this matter and start talking to everybody you know including your family members, and get the word out there.
AWE redvox
Let’s hold thumbs for Novembers vote! Thanks for your feedback man!
aweeee
I have only one issue with this. It should be an ethical change, a realization that the plant does not cause harm and that the system has been wrong. Right now with the way that California is going they are appealing to the government in the form of money to save their debt ridden asses. This is greed. I am all for the change to legalization and im happy with many of the restrictions implicated by this bill, but i would have liked something more along the lines of what Jack Herer wanted to get passed (Jack Herer was against the taxation of marijuana). At least it is a step in the right direction.
I agree… Having them admit to their lies would be great. But I think many countries, especially South Africa, could benefit hugely if marijuana were to be taxed. Better medical care, housing, water, electricity, SCHOOLS? These are huge issues which are keeping South Africa from progressing, and none of them have sufficient funding for them to be addressed effectively. Sure, this would be a perfect world, but in reality, our funds don’t get spent properly. If weed were to be taxed, we’d probably just see our politicians driving around in porches instead of mercedes.
I agree with you bootz and with you Sticky Scissors, that it can also be a thorn in the people’s side. Taking as our country has a bit of a problem when it comes to corruption and spending tax payers money correctly, but this will surely be one of the many jobs created in the process.
Putting a council of some sorts in place to monitor the taxation and spending of the government created by the new Cannabis bill. This should be a main priority, as we don’t want history to repeat itself and have the bill changed again after a couple of years.
That’s why we need to be so connected and read up on the happenings in California, so that we have an idea of the problems they faced and how they corrected those problems. This way we have a better chance of making it successful in South Africa.
How DO we get the ball rolling, like how do we raise a ballot to vote for?
Some extra reading on the bill that seems like it’s on its way to being passed –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_19
Youve hit the nail on the head. The goverments couldnt care about the people they’ve just realized theres a new cash cow out and about ready for the milking. With regards to the polititions in this country do you really believe things will be done correctly? Like with the peoples intrests at heart or then again, is anything done correctly in this country? This debate is political and I seriously doubt that this country even with unlimited tax reveune could get the basics of heath care, schooling, housing etc. right. A bit off topic here but its not our laws or our past that have us in the shit as a country but the monkeys who are in power to implement these laws. Our consitution might be one of the newest in the world but we are decades behind the west mentally. This is not a perfect world and it is run by greed and money, I just dont see it working out the way it should and that most goverments would use it to benifit themselves more than the people…
PS: I live miles away for the cape, actually in the heart of the zulu, and it just seems to me that lots of people on the site here are from the cape and hold different views to the state of our country due to the DA in power there… Almost like its “first world” down there[without wishing to effend anyone] but if you see whats happening else where. its like, f@#k!! a HOLE nother country out there…………………….
Thanx for the link m137o, it’s a bit more clear now to what the bill exactly does and what it allows to happen. The 25 square feet that is allowed to be cultivated for personal use is not bad, it comes to about 2.32258 square meter’s. Witch if you think about it is enough for a decent amount for personal use. You can easily fit 2-3 plants in there, or use a Sog method of growing and get lots of small plants in there with a nice amount of bud. You can also try 2 huge plants and have them grow to the size of trees…. lol.
The government then still has the right to authorize bigger sales in cannabis. But the other laws are still in place, like selling dope to minors and or driving under the influence will also be in place.
We have to start just like them (California) to get the ball rolling, This website has just launched a new poll section which is a real nice start, we could ask people to vote for specific questions and proposals that we think could benefit our own country. Have different polls and collect the information and present it to our government. If a significant amount of people vote for these bills the government should be forced to do something about it.
PS, I don’t think we will have a problem with voting on the legalization of POT in THIS country ..lol! To many people know and have used this plant.
All be very upset if the vote does not pass. I really believe its time for this craziness to end !
I agree fully with you David, times are indeed changing, and it is indeed time for the world to recognize this plant for it’s astonishing values and uses.
All I wanna know is, why the subject is not even up for public debate?
there is one problem i see…. if they legalize weed then big companies will want to start wanting to start selling joints in packs, and then next thing you know all those dodgy chemicals they use in cigarettes are going to be in the weed…. and when it starts killing you many people are going to claim its bad for your health and then they are going to want to make it illegal again
Well, tobacco and alcohol both stay legal regardless of dangers to ones health. I think the chance of this happening is very low.
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Ja, i’m very happy for the Californians – does anybody know if there is any similar concerted effort happening here in SA now? Big corporations, big governments, big guns etc. at least if you would be able to grow a spliff or two or buy some without jail paranoia, it would help. Still as said above, there is still a negative stigma that have been spread by years of propaganda, ignorance and irresponsible behavior…
Firstly I doubt that they will put such a regulation through in the near future. First of all – we have to remember that we are still a developing country and our country/government has many other problems to solve before they will even consider legalizing weed. I too wish for it to be legal, and the Regulation in California sounds heavenly – but seriously – we are so far away from turning into that direction.
Secondly – most of our older generation is too involved with the negative side of smoking weed. And as it will take some rather hard work to convince them otherwise I don’t see much support from ‘our elders’. See for example the Carte Blanche report, yes, the topic Weed has made it to the TV but the problem is it is all negative, I’d prefer them rather to shut up, because if reports such as these will continue they will get attention, and not the attention we need – they might just , most probably,make things worse for the cannabis consuming population.
Another problem is that ‘we’ are in minority, and a lot of ppl will not admit it publicly simply because of the dangers involved with admitting to doing something illegal.
Personally – it would never cross my mind to participate in any actions to legalize weed unless I am 100% assured on paper and verbally that it will not be held against me, regardless of the outcomes of such activities.
It might bring along many more problems in addition to what we already have. It’s Africa.
I do have hope that someday somebody powerful enough to raise positive awareness about weed consumption will stroll along and make a significant change.
peace,love and happiness =)
The thing is, the only reason there’s this negative stigma attached is because the whole world views weed as this bad, illegal substance. If first world countries start bringing in billions of extra dollars by legalizing the herb (this is what they estimate california alone will start bringing in), countries like south africa will be stupid not to follow suite. Being a developing country, we have even more reason to legalize it, it would help aid in many of the problems that are facing us today, which all boil down to money (education, health care, infrastructure etc).
I agree with you that our older generation is still a bit stuck in their ways when it comes to their views on pot. I don’t think they’ll change, but they aren’t the future of this country, we are. The media isn’t helping either… they never look at the positive sides – lets challenge them to do so. Although, the other side of the story is starting to be talked about, look at this website for example, as well as more mainstream media like The Big Issue. They wrote quite a good article last month, you should check it out: http://www.belowthelion.co.za/?p=772
“It might bring along many more problems in addition to what we already have. It’s Africa.”
What problems do you see legalizing/decriminlizing weed to have on our country?
Thanks for your response
I also hope that some day we’ll be able to raise enough awareness, that’s what this site is all about:)
peaceee
Its such a shame that the propaganda been fed to us for decades is so fixed on many adults brains. California is going the right way, they are organised and making a show in numbers. South Africa on the other hand it will be alot more difficult due to our education on cannabis and the governments fingers in cannabis. Numbers, support for guys like Justin Ballot, the dagga Party, and actvism events hosted around teh country would be the only way we can move forward. Free the weed.
IMO:
Reasons why it won’t happen.
SA is a Slow Country regarding laws etc.
this will take years & I’ll be old & over smoking mary.
1st we would need like a movement of people opting for it Legalization or decrim.
Which we have all ready but very unsuccessful.
if you tell Zuma Yo you can make some more bucks off this then maybe who knows.
Why it should happen:
Police/popo will then have one less illegal substance to worry about & can concentrate on those Life Changing & Family Ruining Drugs like you know the list..
I know popo who want this to happen.
I would go for decrim of it like in Amsterdam works fine their so it should work fine.
& I only have a select few Growers for each province like = they supply = then you have dealers = to us users.
price could drop then really as one major factor is taken out no going to jail.
which I think dealers factor in really.
the tax issue it could be tax free for dealer as long as you have license which you pay for yearly.
main tax will come from major Grow operations.
it would be heaven really no more shit blue lights hide the stash dude.
think then popo could really crack down on crack & the like. which is ruining our country.
I know people who have had there lives destroyed coz of drugs.
it is really hard getting off the shit 1st hand experience there.
Maybe CT should look at getting its laws if only we never had the ANC in power then we could get it right but with them in seat of power I highly doubt it.
peacd & happy times
oh I go for decrim as it will be quicker to obtain than full legalization
Keep faith brothers, this isn’t the easiest fight we chose! We chose something very real and something that was a part of civilization for a long time. But we are up against, the big corrupt of this world, that will try eradicate us along with this plant we fight for.
Have a look at this =) http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3821/Overview#tab-Videos/06170_00
peace,love and happiness
Rad video! marc emery is in jail now tho ;<
Wow this would be so great if this would happen! 2nd Greatest day of my life, 1st would be my wedding day…. Heeyyy what about having my wedding on that day! hmmm
That was so cool to watch! Marc is such a coll and laid back guy. I would absolutely love to run or work at a store like that. Will be so nice to go to my favorite coffee-shop to puff with my wife and friends.
[...] member of a community group trying to improve our city’s parks. And I am working to help pass Proposition 19, the initiative to control and tax marijuana in California. It is important to me as a mother that [...]
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[...] just 12 days left before November 2, the day Californians vote on Proposition 19, the vote that could legalise marijuana in the state of California, thus regulating, taxing and [...]
[...] marijuana on the ballot in four U.S. states this November, most prominently California’s Proposition 19, which would fully legalize the substance, the legalization of marijuana has become a hot topic of [...]
[...] marijuana on the ballot in four U.S. states this November, most prominently California’s Proposition 19, which would fully legalize the substance, the legalization of marijuana has become a hot topic of [...]
Guys, I’m all for this!!! I am a South African living in Uganda, (Short history on Uganda’s weed, Sherlock Holmes done a study back in the good old days when it was legal, he stated that Uganda’s weed is in the top 3 best weeds he has ever smoked! High THC content and good smooth taste makes it a really pleasurable joint.) In Uganda it is still very much illegal to have weed, yet it’s a big part of the culture here, traditionally cannabis is smoked by men almost like a perk. I also know that with a relatively small farm here I could grow organic weed that would become a world favorite, as I have smoked with people from all over the world and they all agree that this weed is up there with the best of them, what people don’t realize is that there are so many uses for it that it could become Uganda’s largest revenue income, it will also have a Holland effect where people would come here on “Safari” and see all the African animals as high as they want to! Also something I have done and to see a huge lion next to your car high is a special moment in life!! Another thing that just really gets to me is the fact that when I want to buy I have to go to some creepy guy whom I don’t trust and always hate having to do it! I have been smoking weed as long as I have been smoking tobacco and the truth is I can go weeks without smoking the good plant but tobacco I can’t go a day without! Where is the sense in this pathetic law??? I wish I could vote in California, and we all know what I would vote for! Big ups to all you guys pushing the change! Always remember you have just as many people if not more standing next to you as there are standing against this!!!!! Good luck, I sure as hell hope that my kids one day will be able to role a joint and smoke it in peace!
WEED IS A SEED THAT GROWS IN THE GROUND
IF GOD DIDNT WANT IT, IT WOULDNT BE AROUND
SO ALL YOU SUCKER’S THAT DONT GET HIGH
SHUT THE HELL UP AND GIVE IT A TRY
http://losing-civ.blogspot.com/2010/12/arguments-for-legalisation-of-marijuana.html
I think that says my piece.
Just read it, great post Sarai!
Keen to have it featured on BTL?
Can’t believe Prop.19 was denied!only a couple of percentage points.damn!Cali’s gonna have to wait a while longer still…
legalize weed im from south africa
Its a proven fact, denial leads to harder more dangerous ways of doing things. Deny a kid alcohol and he will end up in some club, OD on a spiked drink… Just legalize it and everyone can benefit.. I’m not saying sell it to 10y/o’s but to 18+…. (Altho I’m only 17 its something to look forward to in a dull live)..
IM FOR IT!!!
Hi there
Ithinks they should legallize weed as that’s the only unman maid drug and if they can’t stop the growth of it why fight against it the world will never stop prOducing the product sO capitlize on it tax it make a plan to get it off the black market and in our stores wOrld wide as we men never made it we found iT. So. Give it back to the pEople and not to the drug cartell
Thanks
Sheldon
Pass my words through
Thanks
Plz Zuma! Make SA happy and legalize Canibbis. This will mean a massive work opirtunity for all the workless ppl in SA (less crime) wich will be like the best ever. Secondlay, OMW do you know how much in come SA will have with cash???
)).. That only can be good in my eyes. Thirdley, no more worrys about cops waisting theie time, this will never ever stop GARENTEED! And like the man says, god gave us this beutifful herb that causes nou harm at all, praven by the best dockters from accros the world. So weird to think an planet earth you get ppl that will lock you up for somthing growing natural and hasent killed one singel sole. Never ever ther has been a case. But the my export alcohol and cigaretts that kills thousands a year. Legal or not legal, ill never stop smoking and the market will just keep getting bigger by the day. Stop waisting monet and make some money. But ill do anything for it to be legal!! Aaah man imagine! Anyway peace, time for a fattie!
Decriminalized is the way to go. No one will control it, we wont go to jail for it. But will grow it anyway with a lot less fear and worry. Legalising would take a long time and the whole control thing im not to0 keen on. Just my R0.02
i just wana say. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT, that marijuana will be legal in south africa. i have many times writing to the political party on facebook and my comments get removed the D.A dont wana listen to what i have to say and they even take the time to remove my comments i have added another comment online lets see if it stays there, i added the video that i put up here yesterday to my comment
Lets keep trying.. Damn Marc Emery, legend!
Yo,the government should legalise weed in a controlled manner,not like in Cali but they should make weed licenses. Similar to those that need a liquor license in order to sell liquor. But this S.A we talking about,who’s willing to really make an effort to legalise pot,we can post comments the entire day or go out there and make a difference,high power guys,high power…
Ok, so I think legalising cannabis in SA is a great idea!!! Even better if we pay tax. That way we could help the whole country!! And if we use hemp to help out the less fortunate. Its cheap and durable, blankets for people with no homes? Hell yes! And I think the reason for people going from cannabis to stronger stuff is because dealers offer them that stuff, maybe we could fix that… this is just a little of why I say it should be legal!
Legal = selling your house to buy weed. Decriminalised = not against the law and grow it with less worries
Which would you choose?
Il choose legal because ganja is not addictive plus it will be dirt cheap and i wont need to sell my house
Decriminalising is even worse than being illegal, if you caught you still pay a price, even more than you do now. Read up about the UK
I disagree on the dirt cheap part ey? Maybe a while after its legal? Either way they should make a decision so I can grow in peace and not worry about being arrested for a natural substance
it will be cheaper once its legal, imagine how many people will grow. There will be so much they will have to drop the prices.
I agree with you with growing in peace but in my opinion thats extremely far away, especially in this country
Who cares if they legalise it or not. I’m still gna smoke any way I don’t need no guy telling me what to do last I checked this was my world. Lol! Ok ima go get higher now. Anyway you guys who have da energy to keep tryin to convince them to legalise da herb u bet find another hobby or jst go enjoy a blunt,cos that aint happenin. Don’t u understand the more illigal it is da more its potential is preseved
having it legalized would be awesome because you could go places and do stuff with a joint in one hand and munchies in the other. but would it be as fun, knowing that its fine if you do? i think the illegalness of it makes it specifically more fun especially for us south african youth. besides finding weed in south africa is easier then finding food in a restraunt, legalization wont make it easier to buy hash. you just will get protected and served the f#@! out of yourself by police
Re-legalisation is the way forward, I believe.
Cannabis is a medicine as one of MANY amazing things, and we should simply have the human right to use it, grow it and share it. Simple as that.
I agree with you totally.
Don’t even know its illegal in the first place.
That’s the thing, we’re trying to get it out of our Youths hands….
And if you only enjoy smoking Cannabis because it is a rebelious thing to do, then you need to get your priorities straight, and respect the plant more IMO.
Legalisation would be a great thing, it would give us so much more freedom to work with the plant, and it would advance our knowledge exponetially.
I defenitely think that we would all benefit greatly from the legalisation of Marijuana, and I am eagerly awaiting that day, even if it means you lose the excitment of smoking because you are now allowed to do it…
No offense danyil, I just think you’re missing the bigger picture of legalisation a tad bit…
P.S. Trust me, if things become legal, it’ll be a pleasure buying bud, unless all you look for in a smoke is a R5 section from your nearest car gaurd that is.
You’d have so much choice you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself…
I hope I haven’t come off too offesivley but we seem to have two very different views on Cannabis, it’s use, and legalisation.
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That’s the thing, we’re trying to get it out of our Youths hands….
And if you only enjoy smoking Cannabis because it is a rebelious thing to do, then you need to get your priorities straight, and respect the plant more IMO.
Legalisation would be a great thing, it would give us so much more freedom to work with the plant, and it would advance our knowledge exponetially.
I defenitely think that we would all benefit greatly from the legalisation of Marijuana, and I am eagerly awaiting that day, even if it means you lose the excitment of smoking because you are now allowed to do it…
No offense danyil, I just think you’re missing the bigger picture of legalisation a tad bit…
P.S. Trust me, if things become legal, it’ll be a pleasure buying bud, unless all you look for in a smoke is a R5 section from your nearest car gaurd that is.
You’d have so much choice you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself…
I hope I haven’t come off too offesivley but we seem to have two very different views on Cannabis, it’s use, and legalisation.
————————-Rant/Opinion Over————————-
In my opinion, teens are always going to have the need to rebel, I’d much rather they do this through marijuana than alcohol, or pretty much any other drug for that matter. Just my 2c
Valid point, but I’m sure smoking would still be seen as rebelling by the teens parents, even if it where legal, and at least they’d be smoking a cleaner product, which isn’t sold by the same guy selling other harder substances.
Agree, legalize it. Love the work being done in California, there is hope.
It would be awesome to have it legal. im 16, and i love smokin ganja! i dont do it to rebel, never have. itz for your own personal enjoyment, in my case, itz gives me a more positive outlook on life. makes me see thingz from another and allowz me to let people just be who they are without insults or anything! to legalise pot would make kidz more obidient to their parentz (if the parentz allow em to smoke, they will respect it), the weed will be more accessable (not that it isnt already super easy to get), and we wont be frying our brains with low grade shit. purple haze, ganeshaz dream, northern lightz, all the rare strains will enter the light and nobody will be able to bullshit teenz who pay for indoor chronic and get outdoor skunk! LEGALIZE POT! ILLEGALIZE ALCOHOL! MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TODAY!
Agreed, i just don’t want my heart to race every time i see blue lights or a damn road block.
If its legal wont we be paying excessive tax etc on it?
Its just so sad how naive, arrogant, selfish and unfair the govt is being regarding this issue… People are risking there lives for employment and survival, and the solution is right at our fingertips… The least they can do is make an effort toward hemp manufacture. Hopefully things can progress from there
Awesome stuff, It has to happen eventually, but sooner than never i would say…The fact of the matter is; being living in South Africa all my life, when it comes to getting hold of some good green, it can be a hassle. Having this marvulous plant which JC(the big man upstairs) has blessed us with can also result in you having to interact with sometimes if not alot of the time somer not so very nice people(ie. Dodgy dealers). This is just the one thing I would be very happy to avoid when having to get some ‘erb…Anyways, enough for now, Keep it eiry peeps…And rememba, keep it clean, keep it green…Ohja, and roll it up, light it up, Smoke it up!
Peace.
In my personal opinion I think government should begin to look @ legalizing Marijuana. as another strategic approach for job creation that will open doors for young and unemployed school livers and graduates. This should be looked @ with a view and focus on growing marijuana for health / medical purposes only. People can begin to own farms wherein young agricultural scientist can begin to play a role towards having the land tested prior any cultivation can take place. Entrepreneurs cold begin to seek official licenses and may have patent rights to harvest and supply Marijuana to nearby health depots. Thus more jobs opportunities for the unemployed and with a relief on current trade barriers, more international markets could benefit from our home natural born resource with positive domestic economic benefit (increase in GDP = reduction in unemployment = reduction in poverty for South Africans that are mostly living below poverty line. An objective of having at list one meal per day equivalent to one family might be realized.
Currently the land has been redistributed for some deserving communities in South Africa. They own and manage farms with governments intent to see such initiatives having direct contribution towards the economic development of this country. To my surprise some farms are just white elephants due to lack of experience, expertise and viability on market, however if South africa could begin to go green with Marijuana, it will indeed benefit more domestically in health related illnesses and the current pandemic unemployment rate.
Legalize it! I hope to see this day in my lifetime. It will defos be the greenest day of my life!
Legalize Marijuana! The medical benefits far outweighs any perceived cons associated with the use of it. In response to Munch (07 June 2012) above… You probably would pay tax on it. However, once its legal you can grow it yourself. That way you can consume what you grow – No taxes or anything
For those interested in knowing more about the history of Marijuana, google the following book: “Marijuana – The first 12000 years”.
Make it legal. 1 acre of ganja sucks in 5 times more CO2 than 1 acre of trees. And if you look at all the uses for it. There is the medicinal and recreational uses, but it is also rich with amino acids and stuff so it is also a great and cheap way for the less fortunate to feed their families. I cant wait for the day that i dont have to grow my trees in secret anymore. And i think once it is legal the bad stigma that pharmecutical and paper forestries atached to it will go away and more people will realize that this is really a miracle herb and that the benefits for this plant is endless.
True story! just a pitty it takes sooo long for people to realize whats truely right infront of them!
#Real eyes recognise real lies!!
[...] prosecution for possession being dropped for adult users. This is where the action is at. In 2010 California came pretty close when their citizens voted on State level legalization. It was a sad day when the [...]
Article has been updated and re-written. Puff puff pass…
How long is a piece of string?
twice the distance from the middle to the end.
Now legalize that herb man!
Nicely written article, and I totally agree..the when is up to us.
Guys.. posting in this forum wont help…
If you wanna help get everyone to sign this!
http://petition.daggacouple.co.za/web/index.php
Sign it now! this couple is fighting for our right to toke!
I personally don’t believe its that easy to get good quality weed anywhere you want, not if you don’t know any dodgy people, legalising will surely aid in people getting to use the herb more freely.
Legalizing it will ensure that Africa is in the rightful place it deserves. It will also help African people to start thinking Afrocentric and help them start believing in themself. Once your spoke herb, you actually free your ideas to flow…you free yourself. thanx
Iry Mabudes
What you said is very true. Guys its natural why fight nature. We as herb lovers should all stand together and Unite! And Marijuana should not be called a drug.
More like freedom…
Cheerz Cuzn’s (oo,)
Pinkfuss……………………………….so only dodge peeps have good weed. Are you part of 420no? you chop……
it is scientifically proven that cannabis is good for human health its just the ignorance of some people and poor judgement. if not good for you dont use your powers to prohibit me in tha way many human rights are trampled into. LEGALISE MARIJUANA was sung by Peter Tosh a long time ago.
cannabis cannot kill a person, no has ever died from cannabis. there is no dangers involved with cannabis, so why is it illegal? In South Africa the useless police will arrest you for possession and throw you in jail with criminals. 99.9% you will get raped in jail, commit suicide, move on to hard drugs and crime after being raped. all for possessing something that is harmless. all i have to say is that the government is fucking worthless, the SAPD is fucking cunts that target people for shit, alot of white males get arrested for nothing, thrown in a cell and then they get raped. fuck this corrupt government! people should take action against the criminals in power in this country!! black,white,brown, we should all stand up against this ANC mess thats doinf nothing to better our lives!
I have worked for so many years in the hospital enviornment
not even 1 person was killed by ganja. I support a call for it’s
Legalisation.
“Marijuana never kicks
down your door in the
middle of the night.
Marijuana never locks up
sick and dying people,
does not suppress
medical research,
does not peek in
bedroom windows.
Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation
of the prohibitionists at
face value,
marijuana prohibition has
done far more harm
to far more people than
marijuana ever could.” -william f. Barkley
and:
It is outrageous to live in
a society whose laws
tolerate sending young
people to life in prison
because they grew, or
distributed, a dozen grams of marijuana.
Treatment is not now
available for almost half of
those who would benefit
from it. Yet we are willing
to build more and more
jails in which to isolate
drug users even though
at one-seventh the cost of
building and maintaining
jail space and pursuing,
detaining, and
prosecuting the drug
user, we could subsidize
commensurately effective
medical care and psychological treatment
True Mr Tosh sang da song cyng ganja mst b legalied
Bt at the end of the day a billion ppl smoked it way b4
It bcame legal.I’m not gon cy much bt either thy legalise
Or not we still gon kip it burning so since well thy nt gon
Beat us thy rather join us,Flippin governmnt
Is it too much to hope that perhaps having been the first country to criminalise Dagga, we may inspire our political leadership to make us the first to end this human rights violation?
As much as we all want weed to be legal the government won’t want to legalise em herbs especially if have such a stupid set o leaders running our country…don’t get me wrong but if we were to even have a chance at legalising weed we would need to start campaigns to open peoples opinions and this can only happen through media!!! If people don’t have facts about weed then its pointless trying to convince em to accept it so if we want to see progress in the legalisation of we us as the “herbalists” of SA should take vast actions to prove our point???or. Do you got any other suggestions we could consider?
Team Dagga Couple ftw.
Why don’t we call for a referendum on the topic.
That would be the most democratic way to do it.
Ask the people of our great nation if it should be legalized compleatly or not.
Easy as a yes or no vote.
Let the people decide.
Should the vote be yes, market the country, tax the product and do something great for a change.
I would believe the boost to tourism and taxes would be incredibly beneficial to this country.
We need to be quick to get a head of the rest of the world.
I believe cannabis will be legalized in our country sooner than later, like I believe the sun will rise in the morning..
What and actually leave choice in our hands?
power plays will abound.-
I have been smoking weed from 2003 have stopped in some occasions, but cant really seem to be able to quit.
I love weed and from the time I started to smoke it changed my life for the better and my personality for the better, My self esteem improved, I tought it helped me as well with my studies. and I am able to stand up for myself and I dont have the fear that I used to have.
now I feel that It the cause of my memory loss sometimes and my left eye drops and becomes painful like it will fall off. I constently have headaches. I get moody though at times I still feel like it helps me think clearly and I can put things into perspective when I smoke, I also think it makes me less loving, I get angry and anoid quickly.
I feel like it holding me back somehow so is the problem with weed or me should i consider quiting does anyone else feel the things that I feel. and why is this happening? Is it really a herb or what we weed smokers would like to believe!
I’m from South Africa it not legal I dont think it will be legalised ever.
I would love the herb to be legalised, but sadly, most of the poulation are still way too ignorant for this. If the government should decide to decriminilise it, they will open themselves up to severe critiscm and probably lose much of their support. If more people could be more open minded, then I think the the chance of getting it decriminilised would increase quite substantially. But the change first needs to come from the general public, then supported by government. It really is a difficult situation, especially to change the views and misguided opinions of folk who are still of the old school.
From the bottom of our stoned hearts, may the government legalise pot. And apparently this will lessen the odds of people fighting in S.A. Please someone let me know how and where to sign the petition. Bless all of yall.
i wish it was legal. but the problem lies when we decide to take a puff of some super cheese and then, you get a call from work or were ever and you have to DRIVE there. SCAREY hey or not some people can drive and smoke but it depends on what strain you smoke.
Same applies for drinking but even really stoned you have a much better chance of arriving safely (and about 3 to 4 hours later if smoking you will be pretty much sober and without a hangover).
thats a nice reply thank you. my main concern was say it becomes legal the heads of state will always try to find away to ban or control it to a point were it becomes seen as a bad thing just like alcohole. in the schools all over the world it is displayed as a drug a bad thing maybe the opposite needs to happern maybe it should be a subject in your last year of school showing how society over thousands of years has used this herbal medicine. bushmen,native americans and know our society.
100% Canna love, postive vibes. Lets support Daggacouple.co.za and they will change the law or atleast get people talking about it. Free the weed.