The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, South Africa has handed down its judgement on the private use of marijuana.
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has upheld earlier high court judgment.
The judgment handed down has been reversed and now states that the use of dagga at home is no longer a criminal offence. Advocates for Dagga use, have for many years been fighting for the decriminalisation of marijuana.
However, the state argues psycho-active components of cannabis cause impaired reasoning and poses potential danger to third parties.
In the past, the Western Cape High Court found provisions in the Drug Act that state it unjustifiably limited the applicants’ rights to privacy. It also further found it unjustifiable to prevent a person from possessing, purchasing or cultivating cannabis in the privacy of their own homes.
