IRR praise ConCourt dagga ruling
JOHANNESBURG – The Institute of Race Relation welcomed the ruling by the Constitutional Court on cannabis.
The Institute of Race Relations has welcomed the Constitutional Court’s ruling to allow the private possession or smoking of cannabis.
On 18 September, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo ruled that it will not be a criminal offence for an adult person to use or be in possession of cannabis in private space.
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The court has given Parliament two years to amend the relevant legislation on possession of the substance.
Spokesperson for the Institute of Race Relations Marius Roodt said, “This decision is an important step in affirming the rights of individuals to make decisions on issues that affect them and their lives.
“People should be free to decide without interference from the state whether or not to use a substance such as cannabis in the privacy of their own home, in the same way as they can choose whether or not to consume alcohol at home. This right is legitimately restricted only when it impinges on others, such as by driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.”
Roodt added, “The ruling shows the court believes individuals are better equipped than the state to make decisions about their own lives. In the same way, we argue, individuals should be further empowered to make decisions about their children’s education, their health care, and who represents them in Parliament. ”
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He called on South Africans to have a greater say on what happens in their children’s schools and a greater choice in meeting their medical needs. “However, the ruling will be fairly meaningless if the country continues to erode property and other rights and fails to trust South Africans to make their own decisions on important choices, such as meeting their healthcare needs and seeking the best education for their children.”
Details: South African Institute of Race Relations irr.org.za
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