State wants evidence presented by 'dagga couple' struck off record
Last week, the judge hearing the matter gave permission to Myrtle Clark and Julian Stobbs’ NGO Field of Green to live stream the case, but the State is against this.
JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers of the so-called dagga couple say the State is applying to have evidence presented by the couple’s attorneys struck off the record.
Last week, the judge hearing the matter gave permission to Myrtle Clark and Julian Stobbs’ non-profit organisation Field of Green to live stream the case, but the State is against this.
Both the State and the couple’s lawyers say they have no problem with traditional media houses broadcasting the case.
The couple's lawyer Paul-Micheal Keichel said: “The Field of Green could not live stream the trial because it’s a side issue and it’s not something that affects the running of the trial. Hopefully, we dispense with the interlocutory application to strike out and certainly from our perspective we’re hoping the trial gets going and continues.”
GATEWAY TO DRUGS
On Tuesdaym Stobbs said they aren’t deterred by those who hold opposing views.
He said it’s not true that dagga is a gateway drug to harder narcotics.
“I don’t think for one minute that if anybody starts smoking weed today, they will be on heroin tomorrow, it does not happen. People use drugs, cannabis doesn’t make you use something else.”
Stobbs said he's been smoking dagga in the privacy of his home for the past 25 years and that he and his partner have been treated badly by police.
“I found myself with the police and a revolver on my cheek in my lounge.”
He said they're ready to finally face the government in court.
“You forget to realise that everybody that uses any drug has rights as well. They are not animals and should not be put in jail.”
(Edited by Winnie Theletsane)
