Introduction
On 31 July 2017 a court case commences in the Pretoria High Court about the constitutional legality of South Africa’s dagga legislation. The media is calling it the “Trial of the Plant”.
What is the “Trial of the Plant” about?
It is about the dagga plant and its prohibition in our society. Scientists have long since proven that the dagga plant is highly complex and dangerous and must be prohibited, but some believe it is not dangerous and even medicinal.
What does the law in SA say about dagga?
Except for medical and research exemptions, the possession, use, cultivation, transportation and distribution of dagga is criminalised in terms of the Drugs and drug trafficking act as well as the Medicines and related substances act.
Was the law not settled by the Constitutional court in 2002?
In 2002 a Rastafarian brought a case to the Constitutional Court about Dagga where he complained that the law prevented him smoking dagga as a religious observance and this violated his rights to religious freedom.
The court accepted that a Rastafarian’s religious rights were violated but dismissed the case as there is no objective way for law enforcement officials to distinguish between the possession or use of cannabis for religious or for recreational purposes.
The trial of the plant will in all likelihood be the final decider.
Why is that?
Because the Trial of the Plant will be the first and only case where there will be oral evidence given and tested, in the witness stand.
These other cases were fought and decided on affidavit evidence in a day or two.
The trial of the plant is very different and will take many days in court starting on 31 July and continuing through the month of August.
There are three legal teams comprising 6 attorneys, 11 advocates, 16 expert witnesses and as many as 12 other witnesses. The trial will probably be recorded by the media and will also probably go all the way to the Constitutional Court to be finally decided.
DFL’s lead counsel is Adv Reg Willis instructed by the University of Pretoria Law Clinic.
How did this case start?
In 2010 a couple were arrested with approximately R500 000.00 worth of dagga in their home. They became known as the dagga couple.
To avoid prosecution they obtained an interdict in the Pretoria High Court against their prosecution, pending the outcome of a case to declare that all the SA dagga legislation is unconstitutional.
The case is against various government departments and against Doctors for Life International.
DFL joined this case to be of assistance to the State.
So for example DFL will lead the evidence of Harvard Professor Bertha Madras who is one of the foremost authorities on cannabis in the world. She contends that the legalisation of cannabis has to be resisted in the interests of the human brain.
Who is Doctors for Life and what does it do?
DFL is a non-profit relief and civil society organisation of doctors who care and give voluntarily of their own time and money to the many needs of the poor.
DFL serve the needs of the underprivileged communities they serve in South Africa and Southern Africa. DFL also has an extensive track record of being involved in public interest cases predominantly as a friend of the court, especially to assist with scientific and similar evidence.
So then how is the dagga couple funding their case?
The dagga couple dragged the case out for some years, while they raised money. They started an organisation called “Fields of Green for All” “FOGFA” which now has over 45000 supporters who are funding the case.
How important is this case for South Africa?
Given the role of dagga in crime, women and child abuse and the future of our youth, this trial is one of the most important to ever reach our courts. If the dagga couple win their case as they want to, there will be no restriction on the possession, consumption, cultivation, transportation and distribution of cannabis. A free for all.
Read our dagga court case press releases and more info on cannabis Media Release: High Court Blunders into Dagga Minefield
Source: Letter from Johan Claassen www.doctorsforlife.co.za) sent to Drugwatch International 27th July 2017