The Constitutional Court of South Africa on Monday upheld a ruling by the Western Cape High Court decriminalizing the cultivation and possession of cannabis by adults in a private place for personal private consumption, according to a story by The Associated Press relayed by the TMA.
The Constitutional Court said the right to privacy extended beyond the boundaries of a home.
Gareth Prince, leader of the Dagga Party, had filed a lawsuit challenging the High Court ruling saying that cannabis laws as they currently stood violated equality laws. Prince believes that cannabis should be regulated in the same way as alcohol and tobacco products are regulated.
The government, however, had said cannabis was harmful and should be considered illegal.
The court said it would be up to a police officer to decide if the amount of marijuana in someone’s possession was for personal consumption or dealing.
Cannabis growing
