A boost to the economy? Yes. But the leaf has its dangers
Use in moderation and don’t expect it to be a panacea for everything when using cannabis.
That’s according to South African Medical Association vice-chairperson Mark Sonderup, who said the Constitutional Court ruling was unsurprising, given the worldwide trend of decriminalising the use of cannabis.
“There are two sides to a coin. I think decriminalisation is a step in the right direction. Does the criminalising of a substance have any value in terms of people using illicit substances, then the answer is probably a resounding no.
“But the use of cannabis is not without potential harm. The debate becomes a ‘whataboutery’ debate, where people say yes to cannabis, but what about alcohol, tobacco? The reality is that alcohol and tobacco excess is bad for you as well but you will not convince me personally that chronic cannabis use is completely safe,” said Sonderup.
“Aside from lung disease, cannabis and psychiatric conditions – although infrequent – were linked,” he said.
Johnny Campbell, House of Adam Kok IV Griqua’s Chief shares the concern.
“I hope we’re going to heal ourselves instead of killing ourselves, because it’s like medicine, if you take too much over a long time, you will become addicted, and eventually die.
“When you are addicted, it means you need help and it may not rescue you or save you from eventual death,” Campbell said outside the Constitutional Court.
Referring to what is becoming known as the “cannabis economy”, he noted it had the potential to boost the economy.
Non-profit company Fields of Green for All said cannabis plants had applications in industrial, cultural, traditional, religious and health platforms.
Neil Webster of the Cannabis Industry Development Cooperative (CDC) in the Western Cape said it was only a question of time before cannabis was fully integrated into the economy.
“’The challenge for the CDCSA is to assist government to develop an enabling legislative framework to ensure that the potential economic opportunities are extended to the poor and marginalised of our society,” Webster said.