South Africa's Top Court Legalizes Personal, Private Use of Cannabis

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2018-09-19

South Africa's top court has legalized the use of cannabis for private, personal use.

Court Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo of the Constitutional Court announced the unanimous judgement Tuesday, siding with an earlier opinion by a lower court that decriminalized the use of cannabis by adults in their own home.

The ruling was opposed by several government agencies, including the health and justice ministries, who argued about the "harmful effects" of the drug.

The Constitutional Court ordered the South African parliament to draft new laws to reflect its ruling, which also allows people to grow cannabis for their personal use.

Source: Voice of America