Announced today, South Africa legalizes recreational marijuana use.
The ruling was made by South Africa's highest court and allows adults to use cannabis at their leisure, once it is in their private home.
The ruling was met by a predominantly pro-marijuana activist crowd who chanted "Weed are free now."
The Constitutional Court also ruled unanimously to legalize the growing of marijuana for private consumption. Though quantities have not been specified as of yet, the ruling is binding, and the court has given parliament 24 months to change the law to reflect it.
South Africa Legalizes Recreational Marijuana
South Africa's Consitution is the country's 'supreme law,' which backs individual rights—in this case, the right to smoke and own marijuana in private—despite the government's concerns for public health and order.
The South African government has yet to comment on the ruling, but it opposed the legalization, believing the drug to be "harmful" for people.
It may have opposed the ruling for other reasons too; the court did not approve the trade of marijuana in any form. This means the government cannot profit from taxes on a new legalized industry.
What Now for Criminal Gangs?
Concerns do lie with how the criminal circles will react to the new ruling. Some believe communities will break away from the control of drug gangs as people begin growing their own supply at home.
But others are concerned the ruling will normalize what was deemed a criminal activity and send the wrong message to criminals and new recruits.
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However, it was three cannabis users facing prosecution for using marijuana who initially brought the case. They argued the ban on cannabis "intrudes unjustifiably into their private spheres."
In his ruling, the court's Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said: "It will not be a criminal offence for an adult person to use or be in possession of cannabis in private for his or her personal consumption."
It is still illegal to use cannabis in public and to sell and/or supply it.
Steps in the right direction but will we see cannabis trade legalized in South Africa at all?
Featured Image: Depositphotos/© gustavofrazao
