There is something glaringly missing when you start looking at Cannabis legalisation from a global level, and the uniqueness of each country’s legalisation model.  In an ideal world, lawmakers should use empirical research based on facts and statistics, with engagement from all stakeholders affected when drafting and implementing new laws.  We know this is not the case with many laws, but Cannabis deserves special attention. You see, because of Cannabis prohibition and the stigma it created over all these decades, there is a massive gap in academic research around the health, social and economic effects of legalising Cannabis. In fact, there has not even been a reliable Cannabis survey about how it is currently being used in the country.

So then you should ask yourself, how are Cannabis laws being made without any evidence or research? A recently published Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill has been submitted to parliament for processing, and this a prime example of laws created without evidence or logic.  What reasoning does the government use when saying you can grow 4 plants at home but not 40? Or you are not allowed to sell your home grown Cannabis without a license, and if you do the police can (and will) arrest you. Confusing right?

Fields of Green for ALL have yet to come across any meaningful study in South Africa that assesses the Cannabis industry as it stands now. How many Cannabis users are there and what is the size of the market? How often do you consume Cannabis and how much do you spend monthly? How many people are actively growing and/or selling their harvests? These are a few of the questions we would like to uncover to gain a deep, granular understanding of our industry, and share these findings with the world.

We have partnered with the Social Surveys Institute to help us understand the whole South African Cannabis industry as it stands now. The Social Surveys Institute is well known for having been involved in helping policy makers where further empirical based research was needed, and their reputation ensures this survey remains unbiased and independent.

The South African Cannabis Survey will be a research project using industry standard methodologies across a representative sample population. The survey would involve interviewing thousands of people, collating and analysing the data, interpreting results, as well as coordinating with government and stakeholders for input. The results and recommendations will be made available to the public, and will be used as evidence in the Trial of the Plant 2.0. Ultimately the results of this survey will help government understand how to create laws that avoid the pitfalls of other failed Cannabis regulation models.

The South African Cannabis Survey will cost millions because of the scope, complexity, as well as ensuring the findings are rigorous and unbiased. We have started the fundraising process as part of our broader GoFundMe campaign: Remembering Jules – Cannabis Can Help South Africa. In addition we will be fundraising from key stakeholders interested in actively participating in this ground-breaking project.

We understand the urgency in legalising Cannabis, so we have taken the initiative together with the Social Surveys Institute, to self-fund and design an anonymous online survey which can easily be shared across social your networks: South African Cannabis Survey of Users and Growers.   The results will be made public and create a good discussion point whilst we prepare to commence our South African Cannabis Survey over the coming months. Remember nothing about us, without us!