What are Dagga Private Clubs?

Dagga Private Clubs (DPC), also known as Private Cannabis Clubs, are registered non-profit companies, formed by consenting adults who consume Cannabis, mainly as recreational activity.

South Africa’s Constitutional Right to Privacy allows adults to cultivate and consume Cannabis in a private space. The judgement left many inadequacies and led to the formation of Dagga Private Clubs, a private collective of individuals where registered members take part in safely cultivating Cannabis Sativa L. for their exclusive and personal use.

Everything You Need to Know About Cannabis Clubs

Become an individual member of The Green Network, for only R49 per month, you gain access to various discussion forums on DPC’s, as well as numerous documents, guidelines, and academic journals to help you understand the Dagga Private Club model.

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Please read the Dagga Private Clubs section in our comprehensive e-book on Cannabis in South Africa. This is the first and only evidence-based Cannabis policy guiding document in South Africa and the rest of the world.

Below is the full excerpt of the Dagga Private Club Model from our Manifesto.

Legality of Dagga Private Clubs

in South Africa

Whilst government drags its feet with implementing Cannabis
laws in South Africa, it has not stopped the Cannabis community
from disobeying bad laws by opening Dagga Private Clubs (DPC’s),
with more and more clubs sprouting up across the country, some
operate blatantly in full view of the public, whilst others much
more clandestine and PRIVATE.

We have been at the forefront of this conversation and by
becoming a member of The Green Network, you gain
access to various discussion forums on DPC’s, as well as numerous
documents, guidelines, and academic journals to help you
understand the Dagga Private Club model, giving you the tools
and courage to perhaps open your own club. Our exclusive
Green Network DPC content touches base on topics such as:

Club Documentation i.e. DPC Constitution, Grower Agreement, Membership Agreement etc.
Choosing a Legal Entity
Accounting
Digital Presence
Security

BECOME A MEMBER TO GAIN ACCESS
TO ALL THIS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Join as a DPC Affiliate

How to Start Your Cannabis Club in South Africa

Starting and operating a club carries significant risk from both law enforcement and criminals alike due to the current lack of formality or regulation in this emerging sector. In anticipation of the growing pains that the South African Cannabis club community would experience, we have spent the last decade participating in local and international drug policy events and documenting our interpretation of the Dagga Private Club Model.

Unfortunately, the risks mentioned have resulted in heavy handed arrests, and whilst our support goes out to any club who encounters law enforcement, The Haze Club case is of significant interest as they are the only club that has been bust and is challenging the state in court on their club model. The outcome of this case will carry significant ramifications for clubs, as well as the Cannabis community in South Africa. You can learn more about The Haze Club from our blog posts:

The Haze Club Arrests (https://fieldsofgreenforall.org.za/the-haze-club-arrests/)
The Haze Club: Interpreting the Legalese (https://fieldsofgreenforall.org.za/the-haze-club-interpreting-the-legalese/)
Fields of Green’s Support at The Haze Club Hearing (https://fieldsofgreenforall.org.za/fields-of-greens-support-at-the-haze-club-hearing/)

A word on compliance/ Cannabis Clubs and the Responsibility to Educate Members

It is worth mentioning this in order to clear up common misconceptions:

There are no laws to comply to… yet

We hope our work in the DPC space inspires a new wave of clubs that use this plant to support and improve the lives of their communities, club members and employees. Always remember:

Good People Disobey Bad Laws!