Cannabis for Private Purposes Act Regulations – Update from the Dept of Justice.

What a way to spend 4.20!
On the 20th and 21st of April Myrtle and Ami attended a Multi Stakeholder Engagement on the National Drug Master Plan and Cannabis Policy Reform, hosted by our civil society allies at Students for Sensible Drug Policy International (SSDP).

In attendance were the Dept of Justice, the Central Drug Authority (CDA) – part of the Dept of Social Development, provincial heads of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTKL) – part of the Dept of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, as well as the Minerals Council, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the SA National Aids Council, the International Narcotics Control Board, the SAPS, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and researchers from UNISA . We were really pleased to have fellow drug policy activists in the room too, for as we all know, all is not what it seems when it comes to perceptions of our favourite plant.

The meeting was convened to discuss the latest draft of the NDMP together with Cannabis policy reform. Right from the beginning it was “acknowledged” that there is a dichotomy between the “harms” of Cannabis law reform and the economic opportunities offered by the end of Cannabis prohibition. This backdrop of “gateway drug” and “addiction” comments set the tone for the next two days. However, it is very important to acknowledge that every single community in South Africa is affected by substance use disorders, encompassing a wide range of drugs, including alcohol. It was acknowledged that alcohol is the most harmful. As veteran activists, it is no good to be exasperated at the lack of knowledge around Cannabis, we were there to share solutions (our Police Reform Project) and participate in plans to involve the NHTKL in the formation of Harm Reduction Hubs throughout SA.

Just before lunch on the first day, we were addressed by Mr Mokulubete from the Dept of Justice. He was there to give us an update on the regulations. It is expected that the regulations will be tabled in parliament and promulgated within the next two months. (Not holding our breath but maybe we can celebrate Cannabis being removed from the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act of 1992 at the Cannabis Expo at the end of May?). Mr Mokulubete went on to explain how the numbers of plants / possession and transport amounts were decided. Apparently they looked at overseas numbers (eg Germany / Canada, etc) and saw that the possession / transportation amounts were low (approx. 30g/1oz) and then decided that we should be allowed to carry a bit more. He didn’t explain how they arrived at 750g. Then they took that number and did some “research” and found out that each plant yields about 150g. Times that by 5 and you get your 750g. 5 plants. When Myrtle commented that a 4m high landrace plant could yield 2kg he just replied that “this makes it very difficult.”

This was after the UNODC had, earlier in the day, re-iterated that it supports and strives for, sustained, balanced and evidence-based drug control. This engagement was not the platform to grind our axes but was certainly a reflection of the complexities involved in fighting for Human Rights, Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Reform. It was very clear that every person in attendance was well aware of our differing views, and each delegate had the interests of their communities at heart. We salute Charity Manoreng and Allistair De Jongh from SSDP for hosting this important event. It is only through dialogue with as many stakeholders as possible that we can hope to chart a way forward towards Fields of Green for ALL!