South Africa's Top Court Legalises the Private Use of Marijuana. Why It's a Good Thing

analysis

South Africa's Constitutional Court has passed down a judgment that makes it legal for adults to cultivate and smoke marijuana in their homes. The court - the country's highest - ruled that the right to privacy was violated by prohibiting the possession, purchase or cultivation of cannabis for personal consumption by an adult in a private dwelling.

The case was pursued by various parties, including a Cape Town lawyer, Gareth Prince, who is a practising Rastafarian. It was opposed by, among others, the country's ministers of Justice and Constitutional Development, Police and Health; the country's National Director of Public Prosecutions and the NGO Doctors for Life International.

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