Will pop-up shops now be selling dagga?
THE widespread prevalence of “dagga” as a place name is an obvious indicator of the use of the plant (cannabis sativa) for various uses, medicinal and recreational.
Historically, the word is a modern version of Khoi San “dacha” recorded in various versions from the 17th century, but referring to all narcotics, both smoked and chewed.
Opium was previously similarly so consumed in Europe, seemingly without stigma, by various literati and even by the great Sherlock Holmes, who spent periods in an opium den.
The cultural use of intoxicants is well established in the East and various parts of Africa. The long history of opposition to the substance essentially derives from the deleterious effects of intoxication on the labour force. These came to a head with the Opium Wars between Britain and China.
Clearly in the West the rise of capitalism has derived from the opposing ideology of the work ethic conceived as the dominant way to development, achievement and success.
The decriminalisation of dagga has been welcomed by many. Usually this process results in the price coming down, as with alcohol in the period of Prohibition. But there remains the problem for local users: how to obtain the substance legally?
Geoff Hughes is an emeritus professor formerly with Wits University