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Education and awareness remains a core focus at Fields of Green for ALL. We understand the importance of accurate, up-to-date information around all manner of human rights and how to manage encounters with law enforcement.
What we are seeing here in South Africa is the continued colonial, corporate capture of the trade in the Cannabis plant. Users, growers and traders continue to be arrested by the South African Police Services and our #StopTheCops campaign has kept us busy since 2013.
On an International level, South Africans have extensive rights under laws, conventions and treaties and Fields of Green for ALL campaigns on behalf of South Africans around global Human Rights, Protection of Genetic Resources and Indigenous Knowledge, and broader Drug Policy issues.
Everything you need to know about your legal rights and Cannabis in South Africa.
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Everything you need to know about your legal rights and Cannabis in South Africa.
Fields of Green for ALL – a registered Non-Profit Company since 2013 – believes that ALL people have a Human and Constitutional Right to use, possess, cultivate, and trade in Cannabis.
Yes and no.
YES – it is legal to grow, possess, and use Cannabis in PRIVATE thanks to the 2018 Privacy Judgement. However, raids on private spaces (homes, cars, people, and Dagga Private Clubs) do still happen, despite this being against the law. We do have a new Police Directive, issued in 2023 that directs police on arrests in Cannabis-related matters.
NO – Trade in Cannabis remains illegal. This means that you will be arrested if suspected guilty of dealing.
Visit: https://www.fieldsofgreenforall.org.za/the-directive-unboxed/
Yes and no.
YES – One may legally possess seeds as well as Cannabis for Responsible Adult Use.
NO – It remains illegal to trade any part of Cannabis, which leaves us with a grey area where seeds are concerned. If you do want to obtain seeds, there are several companies around the country that supply great genetics. If you are a bit worried about the legalities around this, you may be able to ask a friend to help you out.
How much do you need? What is enough?
Each person uses their own amount – those who extract dab or make oil may likely need more than someone who smokes.
https://www.fieldsofgreenforall.org.za/good-day-how-much-weed-can-i-grow/
However, once the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill (B19-2020) becomes an Act, we may see limits on how much we can grow for personal use in private. Until then, grow what YOU need. We will update you on this as soon as we know more.
Currently, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill has passed through the National Assembly (November 2023) and will move onto the National Council of Provinces once written submissions (due 19 January 2024) have been heard. The Bill will then be enacted by the President.
You can learn more about commenting on the Bill here:
Industrial Cannabis – aka “hemp” – is facing many similar issues as Cannabis grown for Adult Use, Health Uses, or Traditional, Cultural, and Religious Uses. This is because there is still NO enabling legislation and regulation in place. THC thresholds also mean that most Industrial Cannabis producers sit with the problem of “hot hemp” – or Industrial Cannabis that has a THC level higher than 0.2%
One can obtain a Hemp Permit from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development for ZAR 672.
You can view the application process and costs here: https://www.dalrrd.gov.za/index.php/contact-us?view=article&id=238:plant-production-guidelines&catid=19
There are few distributors of Hemp seeds in South Africa. [will populate later]
Many still access their Cannabis on the illicit market, made up of a network of growers, sellers, and buyers. However, since the 2018 ConCourt Privacy Judgement, many have also started growing their own or have joined Dagga Private Clubs where they can “share” Cannabis grown for them within the network.
Remember, trade in Cannabis remains illegal and you are breaking the law when getting Cannabis from old school dealers.
Dagga Private Clubs (also known as Cannabis Social Clubs) operate as safe spaces where members can access Cannabis grown for them.
Joining The Green Network will allow you to access our unique Dagga Private Club framework as well as join our free group to access Guiding Documents on how to establish your own Dagga Private Club.
You can learn more about Dagga Private Clubs on our dedicated page:
Watch Marleen’s international presentation (23 October 2020) on the standardisation of Dagga Private Clubs:
Standardisation in South Africa’s Dagga Private Clubs
The Dagga Couple outline how Dagga Private Clubs work here:
Dagga Couple – In Barcelona Talk About Cannabis Clubs
A word of caution: Dagga Private Clubs are not a get-rich-quick scheme. If you want to make your millions through a Dagga Private Club and/or franchise, you will have a hard time.
Gifting Cannabis is a bit of a strange one as there is no legislation that says yes or no. Gifting Cannabis for personal use is really no different to gifting someone a bottle of wine, but cops and prosecutors may still see the gifting of Cannabis as dealing.
Can I send or receive Cannabis in the mail or via courier?
It remains risky to send or receive Cannabis in the mail or via a courier. It’s best not to advertise what you are sending/receiving.
Be sure you Know Your Rights.
Read more here on Dagga in the Mail
People use Dagga for any number of reasons, be it as a means to unwind or to rage against the machine.
Many teens and young adults experiment with Cannabis – some stick with it others leave it behind.
As legislation evolves, more adults of all ages and walks of life have also found their way to Cannabis.
At Fields of Green for ALL, we believe that ALL Cannabis use is therapeutic as it helps maintain balance, no matter if it is for Responsible Adult Use, Health Uses, or Traditional, Cultural, and Religious Uses.
This has become a slightly tricky question to answer in recent years thanks to higher THC content in Cannabis as well as isolates, distillates, and synthetic cannabinoids hitting the market. Nothing can ever be truly harmless, but that does not mean that it is definitely harmful.
Where whole-plant Cannabis and extracts are concerned, the only real health concern is a condition that affects a tiny percentage of the global population called Cannabis-induced Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). People who have this condition usually develop it after long-term daily use of higher THC Cannabis (dab included), experiencing terrible bouts of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration. CHS thankfully affects only a small percentile of daily Cannabis users who are also at a genetic predisposition to develop the syndrome.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9225400/
Cannabis isolates and distillates are generally safe to use for adults , but most people report better effects when using whole-plant or full-spectrum products. This is largely due to what is known as the Entourage Effect.
There have been some reports of overdose with isolates and distillates among children in some parts of the world – so be sure to keep your gummies out of sight and reach of the little ones should you opt for isolates and/or distillates.
Synthetic cannabinoids are a rising concern globally. Typically synthesised from low-THC Cannabis (“Hemp”), synthetic cannabinoids are made in labs using chemical processes that can have detrimental effects on human and animal health. Synthetic cannabinoids are a direct result of ongoing prohibition the world over – many have bought the “Green Rush” narrative and have invested heavily in it, only to be held back by slow legislative processes and loads of regulatory red tape. Delta-8 is likely one of the most popular synthetic cannabinoids on the market currently as it is not scheduled under any laws.
This is why you need to Know Your Dagga Farmer and exactly what you are consuming.
There is no evidence to support Cannabis being a “gateway drug”. This is a leftover bit of nonsense from the heyday of Reefer Madness propaganda and prohibitionist sentiments.
Educating ourselves and the youth on the truth of drugs is necessary. Cannabis continues to be traded on the illicit market, alongside other illegal substances. Kids receiving the wrong information about drugs may be more inclined to experimenting with other drugs once they have tried Cannabis and learnt that it is not the “devil’s lettuce” like they are taught.
Many users of other drugs – including alcohol – have found Cannabis to be a useful “exit drug” as it helps them cope with the various symptoms of withdrawal, cravings, and mental trauma of years of chemical drug use.
Cannabis use during pregnancy is not entirely safe or unsafe. Moderate, Responsible Adult Use has assisted countless Cannabis users during pregnancy to overcome nausea and general discomfort. Many have used and continue to use Cannabis during pregnancy for Health Uses, Traditional, Cultural, and Religious Uses, or Responsible Adult Use, with few to no negative impacts on their babies. The same is true for breastfeeding. Vital cannabinoids are also found in breastmilk and help develop a baby’s own Endocannabinoid system.
Overuse of Cannabis during pregnancy may pose some risk to the foetus, but evidence remains inconclusive, with most studies being small in size.
Overuse can also lead to increased symptoms of nausea and vomiting, but such cases are rare.
As the Plant continues to be liberated globally, research continues into its health and harm potentials. Evidence can both prove or disprove long-held beliefs about Cannabis use at any time by any person. We rely on this evidence to help craft policy that is scientifically supported to the benefit of ALL Cannabis users.
Trade in Cannabis products remains illegal, save for very low dose CBD products. While one can access Cannabis for Health Uses under Section 21 of the Medicines Act (1962), whereby one becomes a patient and is prescribed Cannabis grown in a Section 22 licensed facility with a Healthcare Provider, there is no guarantee that you will be able to access the right quality or product for your specific needs.
Growing your own in private for your private use may be your best option.
There is no conclusive evidence that Dagga makes one infertile.
Various studies have been conducted over the years on the negative effects of Cannabis on mental health. While isolated cases of psychosis and schizophrenia have been recorded, it remains inconclusive that Cannabis is solely to blame.
Fields of Green for ALL supports both responsible users and victims of Cannabis. We intend to see Cannabis use with negative outcomes treated as a health issue by redirecting resources away from counterproductive policies based in prohibition toward evidence-based regulation that enables constructive Harm Reduction without stigmatisation.
As the Plant continues to be liberated globally, research continues into its health and harm potentials. Evidence can both prove or disprove long-held beliefs about Cannabis use at any time by any person. We rely on this evidence to help craft policy that is scientifically supported to the benefit of ALL Cannabis users.
Yes, it is legal to grow in Private for Personal use Dagga in South Africa at home according to the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling.
YES – the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling protects your Constitutional Right to grow, possess, and use Cannabis in Private. There is NO LIMIT on how many plants you may grow at this time.
If you are renting a townhouse or flat, you may need to adhere to body corporate rules, which may lawfully refuse you to grow Cannabis for your personal use in private. The same rules may also limit you from smoking Cannabis in your home as this falls under any No Smoking rules.
Unfortunately, neighbours may dislike your relationship with the Plant and may cause trouble for you.
You can learn more here: https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/407005/your-legal-rights-when-your-neighbour-s-weed-smoking-annoys-you?%40byp%2BUPaGrEan7z551SnOkg%3D%3D
If you want to grow for yourself, you really don’t need a licence. If you want to grow for a Dagga Private Club, you will need to check in with your preferred option on how they go about this.
Licensed Cannabis growing is, however, not something we recommend nor support. As licences proliferate, we are seeing those with the means (and patience) to get to them harm the existing market.
A significant part of the work that we are doing both in the courts and at a grassroots level is to help fully legalise Cannabis FOR ALL in a way that eliminates or greatly reduces the need for licensing. Regulation will, however, still need to apply when considering the many existing industries in which Cannabis will be used. Please visit our Desired Outcomes page to have your say regarding what you think legalisation should look like.
Please, DO NOT phone or write to us to ask how you can obtain a licence. It is NOT the way forward towards Fields Of Green For All.
Make sure to read Unicorn Licences, Fake Firsts and Other Dagga Delusions.
Ask the Cannabis Community. There are many forums across social media as well as many online resources you can check out. Grow shops and Cannasseurs of all walks are also great places to learn.
If you would like to do a course in growing, Tamatie and Cheeba Africa offer a variety of great workshops and courses on how to grow the best bud.
Our Affiliates over at Qure Analytics offer a wide range of testing for anything Cannabis – whole plant, flower, edibles and drinkables, extracts and tinctures. You can test potency, cannabinoid and terpene profiles, residual solvents, and contaminants.
You can join a Dagga Private Club where you can share Cannabis in a private space. You can find our Affiliates DPCs here:
[LINK]
Remember, it is still illegal to trade in Cannabis. So, if you go the old school dealer route, know that you are still breaking the law.
We do not answer this question. Please help change this by supporting our movement. Join The Green Network today.
Trade in Cannabis remains illegal in South Africa. While some stores and dispensaries have defaulted to Section 21 of the Medicines Act (1962), whereby one becomes a patient and is prescribed Cannabis grown in a Section 22 licensed facility, there is no legal way to openly trade Cannabis in a dedicated retail store or other means.
You can learn more at this dedicated blog post:
How to Open a Cannabis Retail Store in South Africa
You can also learn more about the differences between Dagga Private Clubs and Over-the-counter Cannabis Stores here:
According to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, “Cannabidiol (CBD) is listed in Schedule 4, except: in complementary medicines containing no more than 600 mg cannabidiol per sales pack, providing a maximum daily dose of 20 mg of cannabidiol”.
Basically, if you keep to these parameters, which are not at all therapeutic, you are in the clear.
To learn more, you can read:
CBD Amnesty by Jules Stobbs (15 May 2020)
CBD Exemption Expires – Where to now for CBD? by Anthony Rees of The Traditional & Natural Health Alliance (15 May 2020)
Locking-down our Cannabis Laws from Schindlers Attorneys (27 May 2020)
While it is a bit risky to fly locally with Dagga, many of us do. We feel it is safer to keep your Dagga in your hand luggage as you will be present should any searches and resulting questions arise.
The 22 January 2019 Police Directive also highlights that:
Provided that the quantity of cannabis is small and based on all the circumstances of a specific matter, including the concealment of the cannabis in a bag or luggage of a passenger, possession for personal consumption, by an adult passenger on a domestic flight is permitted.
Keep your quantities small and well hidden in your own hand luggage – a smell proof container is always a great option!
Different methods of use have different results and can affect people differently, too. Some people prefer smoking, others like only edibles or drinkables while others prefer vaping a good dab.
While smoking – through a joint, pipe, or bong – or vaping has an almost immediate effect, eating or drinking Cannabis-infused products can have a more delayed but longer-lasting effect. People usually choose their delivery option according to the kind of effect they want.
There are constantly new ways of consuming Cannabis coming about, making it hard to know what works best for you. The best rule of thumb is to start low and go slow. Remember, you can mellow your high with some lemon or black pepper.
Ongoing unlawful arrests of Cannabis-users is the real burden on our legal system. The SAPS currently spend several billion on rectifying unlawful raids and arrests of Cannabis users, funding which could be used more effectively elsewhere.
Problematic Cannabis use is generally isolated and seldom has much, if any, impact on the legal and health systems of South Africa.
People use Cannabis for different reasons, like they may use alcohol or other drugs. Substance use is a complex topic, and no two cases are the same. While many would like to deny that Cannabis is open to abuse, there are individuals who develop a problematic dependence on the plant. People may begin to use too much Cannabis at the wrong time in their lives. They need assistance with what is wrong in their lives, not their Cannabis use alone.
This is part of Harm Reduction, a core focus of 2024 here at Fields of Green for ALL.
We support evidence-based regulations that discourage underage use of psychotropic substances like THC but allows for the responsible use of Cannabis as a therapeutic agent. Numerous studies support Cannabis for Health Uses for children with severe illnesses and/or disorders. Parents are typically guided by willing medical professionals to use strains higher in CBD or pharmaceutical products that may not be as effective as whole plant options.
Joining The Green Network will allow you to connect, share, and learn more about the Health Uses of Cannabis.
We also provide our members the opportunity to access Healthcare Providers who know how to therapeutically optimise Cannabis in their own health.
Fields of Green for ALL NPC
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