Parties including the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Economic Freedom Fighters, National Freedom Party and Pan Africanist Congress of Azania all showed support for the bill, while the Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party opposed it during the National Assembly’s plenary meeting held Tuesday afternoon.
Several African countries have moved to legalize cannabis cultivation or medical cannabis, the move would set a precedent for adult-use cannabis on the continent. Still, the reform measure has one major requirement.
Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Janho Engelbrecht spoke on the bill in the National Assembly, highlighting adults will only be allowed to use cannabis privately in their homes and sales will still be strictly prohibited should the measure pass.
“People should bear in mind what this bill is about. It is about cannabis for private use by adults. You are not allowed to buy or sell cannabis, because this still remains a criminal activity with severe consequences. If you want to smoke it, you have to grow it, don’t buy it,” Engelbrecht said.
However, similar to many of the reform measures passing throughout the United States, the bill would also provide for the expungement of criminal records for those convicted of possession, use or dealing in cannabis based on presumption. It does not specify the quantities of cannabis plants and dried cannabis a person would be allowed to possess for private use. It also does not legalize cannabis for medical use, nor does it create a regulated commercial market.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola will draw up the regulations surrounding private adult cannabis use to submit to Parliament for approval.
The Constitutional Court affirmed the ruling the following year, and the government must approve an appropriate bill by Sept. 28, 2024 to finalize the legislative reform process.
Photo by Magda Ehlers
