High five: Weed is semi-legal, Twitter celebrates

Today the Western Cape High Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to ban the cultivation, possession and use of marijuana in adults’ private homes, News24 reports.

Dagga Party leader Jeremy Acton and Rastafarian Garreth Prince have been arguing for the legalisation of marijuana for years, and today they’ve won no small victory.

In a unanimous vote, the High Court agreed that prohibiting dagga use is unfair, outdated and applied disproportionately to black citizens.

The law comes at a time when more and more citizens are calling for the full legalisation of the plant. Last year May, thousands marched in Cape Town for the cause — with arguments ranging from environmental benefits to fighting police brutality.

Though the drug is not fully legalised — it’s still not allowed to be sold — this can definitely be seen as a move in that direction.

Needless to say, South Africans on Twitter are more than excited about the news.

Some saw it as a brief reprieve from the political turmoil of the cabinet reshuffle last night.

And others thought it apt that the legalisation was approved by the High Court.

Others didn’t see how the legalisation at home would change much.

Some severely misunderstood what the ruling — which parliament has two years to effect — means.

And a minority were disappointed.

Featured image: M a n u e l via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)

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