Cape Town - Those living with dagga users and who oppose the Western Cape High Court's ruling, declaring that adults may smoke and grow dagga at home, will just have to deal with it.
On Friday, Judge Dennis Davis ruled that adults may cultivate and use cannabis in their home. The application to decriminalise the drug was brought by the Dagga Party and activist and lawyer Gareth Prince.
Anti-Drug Alliance South Africa chief executive Quintin van Kerken said families should treat the drug the same way as alcohol consumption. “What happens if somebody in the house smokes and somebody else has a problem (with it)? If you use (dagga) in the privacy of your own home, this is a democratic society we live in," Van Kerken said.
He described the ruling as a good move for families living on the Cape Flats: “We know that there is a lot bigger problem like crystal meth or tik than there is with dagga.
“Those communities are actually quite happy because it means a dad who is a breadwinner who needs to buy his monthly supply won’t be arrested for it.”
But Grassy Park Community Policing Forum's Philip Bam said the court’s decision could lead to a spike in drug dens in the area. “People already get together at homes to smoke dagga and do other drugs, so all this is going to do is legalise that activity,” he said.
“What’s next? Are they going to allow tik to be used in the house, and can people use other intoxicating drugs in the house? I'm afraid of the consequences that might follow.”