South Africa decriminalises private use of marijuana

South Africa decriminalises private use of marijuana

South Africa’s Constitutional Court has decriminalised the private use of marijuana. The ruling came after a provincial high court in 2017 found out t

Trump stops WHO funding over handling of COVID-19 outbreak
Kenya president, cabinet take salary cut to boost fight against coronavirus
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lowered into Royal Vault

South Africa’s Constitutional Court has decriminalised the private use of marijuana. The ruling came after a provincial high court in 2017 found out that the use of cannabis in private space should be allowed because laws against it were inconsistent with the country’s constitution. The state appealed to the Constitutional Court, which upheld the high court’s findings.

“It will not be a criminal offence for an adult person to use or be in possession of cannabis in private space,’’ Judge Raymond Zondo said in handing down the judgement.

The judgement did not say how much cannabis one may have at home for private use. Celebrations broke out in the court, which was packed with marijuana advocates and members of South Africa’s Rastafarian community.