Legalise marijuana
Steer clear of cannabis, says Netherlands PM
Asked to comment on the recent legalisation of cannabis in Canada, he told the story of a relative whose marijuana over-consumption had serious mental health...
The Senate voted 52-29 in favour of the revised bill from the elected House of Commons, paving the way for a fully legal cannabis market within eight to 12 weeks.
The upper chamber Senate voted 56-30 in favour of the legislation but included amendments that the House of Commons will need to decide on before the law can be passed.
More than one-in-five Americans now live in states where recreational marijuana is legal for purchase.
A private member’s bill to legalise cannabis for medical use has been hailed for paving the way for new regulations that will also allow for it to be grown, cultivated and manufactured.
The Medicines Control Council has on Wednesday briefed MPs on its framework for medicinal cannabis access in South Africa.
A record percentage of Americans – 64% - now believe adult use of the drug should be legal, according to a Gallup poll published this week.
The couple launched the case in 2010 after they were arrested in their home for smoking and growing dagga.
As result of a legalisation measure approved by Nevada voters in November, the state will join four other US states and the District of Columbia in allowing recreational sales.
The state has argued that a court ruling allowing the possession, cultivation and use of dagga in private homes, was wrong to conclude rights to privacy were violated by drug laws.
The legislation would set the minimum legal age for use and purchase at 18, though provinces would be able to raise it.
On Friday the Western Cape High Court allowed for the possession, cultivation of dagga at home, for private use.
The new policy, still to be ratified by parliament, people caught smoking marijuana would be fined rather than arrested.
The Medical Control Council is expected to publish proposed guidelines on dagga production for medicinal use.
The bill was proposed by former IFP MP Mario Ambrosini, who died two years ago after battling cancer.
California & 8 other states have recreational or medical marijuana proposals headed for their 2016 ballots.
Eight other states, including Nevada and Maine, also have recreational or medical marijuana proposals.
Marijuana use across the globe
The Weedstock Festival was due to take place on a farm in Bronkospruit at the weekend.