Over the past few weeks we have been reminding our supporters about The Trial of the Plant and the last week has brought things to a head. The next few days are crucial on the difficult road to answer the question: Are we going to have to go back to court for TOTP2? Will the government listen to us and give us Constitutionally sound Cannabis Regulations that are in line with both our South African Bill of Rights and our broader Human Rights?

The time has finally come for parliament to hear oral submissions from the public on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill and, as the two should be inseparable, the National Cannabis Masterplan.

You can read Fields of Green for ALL’s submission and request for oral representation HERE.

Fields of Green for ALL (and everyone else who has been watching their email for progress on the matter) was taken rather by surprise when, on Monday last week in the late afternoon, we all received email invites to various government departments’ presentations to parliament on the subject of the bill. Starting the next day!

What followed on Tuesday was a presentation by the Dept of Health and on Wednesday was the turn of the Depts of Rural and Land Development, Trade & Industry and Agriculture.

Cannabiz-Africa summed up Tuesday’s presentations from the Dept of Health’s experts very well in their article here. We found Wednesday’s session far less stressful as there were some encouraging statements by both department officials and various political parties.

These two sessions formed the backdrop for us to steam right ahead into oral submissions, starting today, Tuesday 31 August 2021 and continuing for 3 days. The various stakeholders only received their official invites on Friday so the presenters are all polishing their statements for this crucial stage on the road to freeing our favourite plant from the shackles of prohibition – for ALL.

Please see the programme of speakers HERE.

Ras Gareth Prince gave a fiery interview on News Room Africa yesterday and, if you listen to what he has to say, we’re in for a few very interesting days.

Fields of Green for ALL is presenting on Wednesday at 13h40 for 20mins, followed by 30mins Q&A. We will post the links to the Portfolio Committee Session room on our social media as soon as we have them each morning.