Johannesburg, South Africa: Federal provisions criminalizing the possession and use of cannabis in private have been determined to be unconstitutional.
The High Court decision determined that outlawing the private use of cannabis by adults is an unjustifiable infringement upon citizens’ right to privacy and dignity.
The public use of cannabis, as well as any commercial activities related to the plant’s purchase or sale, remain illegal.
The South African government first outlawed cannabis in 1908. Today, 13 percent of all arrests in the country are marijuana violations.
For more information, please contact Erik Altieri, NORML Executive Director, or Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500.