On behalf of Myrtle, Jules and the Fields of Green for ALL team, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to ALL who made it possible for us to raise $25 286.00 in 42 days. At today’s exchange rate, this amounts to almost R400 000. Although we didn’t reach our target, these funds will go a long way towards the expert witness expenses for The Trial of the Plant in 2016. 424 people donated directly into the campaign and a further 18 donated into our bank account via the Fields of Green for ALL website donate page. We are busy making sure that all collaborator’s names feature on the official Cannabis Freedom Tree and all other perks will be on their way to you early in the New Year.

This is not the end, folks! Our donation page is always open and the Cannabis Freedom Tree will continue to grow new leaves, buds and roots up until the very day that our beloved plant is completely legal for ALL South Africans to use, for whatever reason they wish.

Donate, put your name or alias in the reference field and you will feature on the tree as one of those amazing South Africans who helped get rid of the last apartheid law!

On a more serious note, it has become apparent that some people are confusing The Trial of the Plant, which is to be held in the Pretoria High Court in 2016, with the Western Cape Constitutional Dagga Hearings, which was postponed in the Western Cape High Court on Monday 7^th December. Please note that, apart from both cases wanting the legalisation of Cannabis in South Africa, there is no legal or procedural connection between the two cases. In South Africa, High Courts do not hold precedent over each other. That means that the Pretoria High Court is not bound by the decision of the WCHC or vice versa. The Dagga Couple and our Non-Profit Company, Fields of Green for ALL, are not affiliated with The Dagga Party of South Africa, Jeremy Acton, Gareth Prince or any of the 18 plaintiffs that are part of the WCHC case. We never have and never will have, any influence over legal strategies employed by Messrs Acton, Prince et al.

Another important point to make when noting the difference between the two cases is that plaintiffs in the South African courts are given the choice of whether to fight their matter by way of application OR by way of trial. ‘Application’ means that all evidence is led ‘on paper’ and the court makes a decision, after a short hearing, based on what is written down. All expert testimony is written down in the form of affidavits. There is no actual evidence led in court and no cross-examination of witnesses. This is the route chosen by Messrs Acton, Prince et al.

Myrtle & Jules had to make this decision way back in 2011 and elected to go by way of trial. This was on the advice of our legal team and was based on the fact that this is a very complex issue requiring a lengthy and thorough procedure.

We have been working with our legal team at Schindlers Attorneys for the past few years in order to make sure that both our evidence and our expert witnesses are the best we can both find and afford. The Trial of the Plant is likely to last a number of weeks as each piece of current information, evidence & scientific research is considered in terms of its relevance. We only have one chance at this we will stop at nothing to be the best that we can be.

The WCHC plaintiffs modelled their original application on The Dagga Couple’s papers filed in 2011 but elected to follow their own path along the legalisation journey. They have elected to challenge the law without any legal representation (no attorneys, no advocates) and, until Monday, believed that it would be unnecessary to include any expert witness affidavits within their evidence. The courts are very strict about what is and what isn’t admissible as evidence and Judge Davis found that the papers submitted by Acton, Prince, et al, were not sufficient in the serious matter of changing a law. The case has been postponed until next year and this has no bearing on, or anything to do with, The Trial of the Plant,  our case in the Pretoria High Court in 2016.

Fields of Green for ALL offices will be closed from 15 December 2015 to 05 January 2016. We would like to thank all our supporters for standing by us during this year. It’s been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs but we know two things are for certain: The end is in sight and we love you all! Wishing everyone a very green holiday season…

Myrtle & Jules, Joanne, William, Werner & Simon.