Dagga-smoking boxers stuck in a legal minefield

The rules of Boxing SA (BSA) are in conflict with the constitutional rights of dagga-smoking boxers.

A professional boxer can smoke dagga at home and then leave for a fight, but if it is discovered that he smoked, then he will have violated the rules of BSA that prohibit the smoking of dagga before fights.

The boxer acted within the laws governing the use of dagga by smoking at home but in the boxing ring it’s different, he will be tested and charged for fighting under the influence of dagga.

So who’s fooling who when smoking at home has been legalised, but BSA rules say it is illegal to pull a few puffs before entering the square jungle?

Ben “TNT” Lekalake

Soweto