‘De-schedule cannabis and create more jobs’

AS THE deadline for public comment on the guideline documents for cultivation of cannabis for medical use looms, an Eastern Cape community is calling for the de-scheduling of the plant as a way of participating in the lucrative “green gold” industry.

The Medical Innovations Bill, aimed at legalising the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, was introduced by IFP MP, Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, in 2014.

Prince Phumezile Dinwayo of the Amantlane Traditional Council, at Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape, who is advocating for legalisation of cannabis, said over the years a small “but growing body of evidence” had emerged suggesting that cannabis may have medicinal value.

“Studies have shown positive effects on a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, dystonia, fibromyalgia, incontinence, gastrointestinal disorders and various cancers,” he said.

The Department of Health, in consultation with the Medicines Control Council, was currently developing a legislative framework that would allow the cultivation of medicinal cannabis.

Dinwayo said this represented an opportunity for rural communities in the country as it could lead to job creation and the growth of the agricultural sector.

However, he said their main concern was that cannabis was classified as a Schedule 7 drug that had no medicinal value.

“The law used to schedule it as a Schedule 7 and 6 drug is archaic.

“When one looks at what qualifies a medicine for those schedules, then cannabis doesn’t fit the criteria,” argued Dinwayo.