Shock as Court Legalizes Bhang Smoking

South Africa cannabis

South Africa’s top court ruled Tuesday that private, personal cannabis use was legal in a landmark case that had pitted law enforcement agencies against marijuana advocates and the judiciary.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, delivering the Johannesburg-based Constitutional Court’s unanimous verdict, declared the law banning marijuana use in private by adults “is unconstitutional and therefore invalid”.

“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,” he said, reading the ruling to cheers from the public gallery.

The court also ordered parliament to draft new laws within 24 months to reflect the order.

Njoroge Mbugua, the suspect who was arrested for growing bhang in Limuru. /COURTESY

A section of Kenyans have also called for the government to legalize ‘weed’. NASA strategist David Ndii, asked the government to legalize use of the drug since it is not addictive. Ndii also revealed that he smoked alot of bhang in his youth days and had no withdrawal symptoms.

Last week, NASA leader Raila Odinga’s son also asked the government to legalize weed.

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