POLICIES, LEGISLATION, PROTOCOLS AND PRACTICES
REGARDING CANNABIS
It is well known that cannabis (dagga) is the second-most used/abused dependence-forming substance in South Africa. The preparation of a position paper on cannabis commenced in 2004 and the draft paper was presented to a variety of communities and interested parties for consultation in 2010.
However, since then the approach to cannabis in a number of countries including South Africa has changed drastically and further research has now become necessary.
In addition, at the 54th session of the Commission for Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna a resolution was passed that requested “the creation of an infrastructure appropriate to address the challenges faced by African countries … where cannabis is increasingly abused”.
In fact, and as suggested earlier, there is a need for an in-depth investigation of (1) the dynamics of cannabis use and related harm in South Africa, as well as (2) the relevance of current international/local policies regarding cannabis use, including measures such as legalisation and/or decriminalisation. The results of this investigation should then be used to develop government policies, legislation, protocols and practices specifically related to cannabis use. …read more