Police warn the public that dealing in cannabis is still illegal.
Most policing operations result in the discovery of cannabis either already rolled or grinded ready for rolling. When Brixton police had their operation on 24 October they too came across quantities of dagga that they had to confiscate in the Melville region. Due to such, the South African Police Service and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) have warned the public that dealing this drug is still illegal and those found doing such can be arrested.
A statement released by the police read, ‘The South African Police Service is issuing a stern warning that the establishment of illegal dispensaries/outlets, online sites and social media platforms which are marketing and selling cannabis and cannabis-related products to the public remains illegal.’ The police have noted that some of these illegal businesses are purporting to be operating legally in terms of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act.
They are selling members of the public franchises which are authorised to deal in cannabis and cannabis-related products. The dagga is then sold as a traditional medicine but by law, this cannot be dependence-producing or dangerous substance or drug. As a result, the Traditional Health Practitioners Act does not create a mechanism to sell cannabis and cannabis-related products that are not exempted in terms of the Medicines Act.
The police do respect the judgment laid down by the Constitutional Court on 18 September 2018. The court stated that people over the age of 18 may use, possess or cultivate cannabis in private for his or her personal consumption in private. The use, including smoking, of cannabis in public or in the presence of children or in the presence of non-consenting adult persons is still not allowed. The use or possession of cannabis in private other than by an adult for his or her personal consumption is also not permitted.
The statement concluded by saying, ‘The South African Police Service is mandated to and will act, not only against businesses that sell cannabis illegally but also against the customers who buy these products.’ The police are therefore urging the public to notify those dealing in drugs and other crimes. People can do this anonymously and through various channels. You can use the new MySAPSApp on any iPhone or android to have easy access to the police or by calling your nearest police station.
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/northcliff-melville-times/290427/cbd-compound-found-dagga-legal-sell-south-africa-now/
