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I think that it is inevitable that marijuana, or dagga as we call it in South Africa, will be legalised. Whether that is via the Constitutional Court or legislation it is going to happen sooner or later. Canada has just become the first major economic power in the world to completely legalise recreational marijuana and whether you are talking about gay marriage, environmental protection or human rights, generally countries tend to copy each other as they move forward. There is no doubt in my mind – whether it takes 20 years for marijuana to be legalised or more, or if it is legalised effectively within a year or two, it will be a huge business in South Africa.
Most South Africans have not ever walked into a marijuana retail shop. In other words, a shop just selling one marijuana product after another and it comes as a bit of a shock to most of us conservative South Africans to see it in other societies. It is not just rolled-up marijuana the shops sell, but it vaporizers and vapes, edibles, creams and everything based on cannabis. The shops are very strictly controlled, generally they do not allow anybody through the front door without an ID showing they are 21, regardless of how old you look and they are set out just like any other fancy retail shop, except that they are selling a product that is still illegal in South Africa.
In any event, I believe this is going to be a very big business. I am not saying that marijuana is good for people – I certainly think that some people do become addicted to it, some people do find it a gateway drug, and it certainly tends to remove ambition from people and dulls the brain, particularly when consumed on a regular basis, but there is just no denying that this will be big money, not only for those who get the first jump in setting up all the legal retail stores when the time comes, but also for the government in terms of taxes.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 24-Aug-18
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Comments
Patrick said:
on Wednesday 05-Sep-18 08:22 AM
The way to go about anything illegal which people do(despite the law not allowing it) is to legalise it and regulate it heavily by imposing heave sanctions. Think of the zama-zamas , there is a whole illegal gold digging business going on which if legalized can create billions jobs. That's how Motsepe started his own empire by buying mine pillars and mining them.
Thabitha said:
on Wednesday 05-Sep-18 07:39 AM
It is going to be a very big business in South Africa my worry is addiction
Shristi said:
on Tuesday 04-Sep-18 08:48 PM
The legalization of marijuana has certainly been a controversial topic. I do however agree that it will at some point become legal in SA. If and when it does become legalized in South Africa I personally think that it will benefit the country in a socio-economic way. Once it is legalized, alot of people will begin farming the marijuana plant which would in turn create employment and boost the gross domestic product.
Tersia said:
on Tuesday 04-Sep-18 04:41 PM
I was thinking the same thing while reading this. The person who has the money to jump on that band wagen and open a few of those shops, will earn "leker" money. There would be a lot of people who would support those shops. I already know of a few people who uses the oils and creams for medical purposes, and it does help a lot.
Cornelie said:
on Tuesday 04-Sep-18 03:40 PM
I can’t see how they can legalise it imagine getting to work and your co-workers are high as a kite, will there ever work be done. There must be limits then.
Michelle said:
on Tuesday 04-Sep-18 03:03 PM
I must say I do not approve any type of drug. Except if it is being used for health issues. But otherwise people (especially South Africans) will abuse this law.
Ashleigh said:
on Tuesday 04-Sep-18 12:38 PM
This is an Interesting topic. I suppose it is how and why you use it. I would rather support Marijuana shops then Bottle Stores. That's my opinion. :)
Henrietta said:
on Tuesday 04-Sep-18 11:31 AM
I have to agree this will be a huge business. I have heard from a lot of people I know who uses cannabis and "dagga" for their cancer. One of my husbands aunts used it to dull the pain. I have once heard in the era of the hippies dagga was legal and everyone was so relax hence the saying "make love not war" but when the time came for war no one wanted war and therefor dagga was ban. Now I don't know how true this is or if it even was the reason for the ban in the first place but it does made sense to me. Like everything else in the world, the food we eat, products we use etc there is pros and cons same for dagga.
Natasha said:
on Tuesday 04-Sep-18 09:47 AM
I thought that it was already legal in South Africa looks like you learn something new everyday. A lot of people use it for medical reasons so i think it is a good thing to have a shop like that for the people that uses it for medical reasons.I think it is amazing that they are very strict regarding the people that goes in to that shop.It is true that some people become dumb if they use it like everyday all day they brain cells die hehe. My aunt use to drink the cannabis oil for her cancer she let me taste it once and i must say it is NOT a good taste
Megan said:
on Monday 03-Sep-18 04:37 PM
I think the fact that Marijuana can force cancer cells to freeze and prevent them from spreading is the best reason to legalize it. The fact that cigarettes are legal and causing cancer, should be more of a concern than legalizing a somewhat "cure" to cancer.
Sinead said:
on Friday 31-Aug-18 03:59 PM
I'm indifferent on this topic. I have absolutely nothing wrong with the plant or whatever else is produces by the THC/CBD. And I do believe the business thereof will be extraordinary.
I know of no negative side effects unless you overdo it... But it's like that with a headache tablet as well. Or anything else really.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 31-Aug-18 02:23 PM
It is about time it is legalized. Everyone is always up in arms that it is the gateway drug. Alcohol is the gateway drug. I know people who use cannabis for many different medical reasons, I had one of my pets on cannabis for his cancer and, he is in remission and doing very well. I can think of a few people I would like to give it to so they can be more likable and not so full of nonsense.
Tamaryn said:
on Friday 31-Aug-18 12:19 PM
I think in a 100 years time history will tell the tale of how marijuana was once illegal. Provided that prospective shop owners don't consume too much of their own product on the job, I think it will be a booming business. Oh, and of course, the government is going to tax to the max and reap any financial benefit they can.
brumilde said:
on Thursday 30-Aug-18 07:49 AM
I think the fight about if it is good or not for people has passed, scientists have proven it has huge health benefits (if taken correctly). Maybe if it become a legal drug then SA people will be more chilled lol
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Wednesday 29-Aug-18 03:52 PM
I see nothing wrong with Marijuana being legalized, obviously being sold by a licensed person.
Will definitely be a booming business in SA!
Michelle D said:
on Wednesday 29-Aug-18 02:56 PM
I think Marijuana should be legalized, sure it may not be great for you but smoking cigarettes and long term consumption of alcohol have much worse effects on your health. By legalizing it you allow regulations to be put in place making it's consumption safer. You can put in checks to ensure that it hasn't been mixed with any dangerous substances. Obviously from a financial point of view it would work out better for the Government as it could be taxed.
Daniella said:
on Tuesday 28-Aug-18 03:52 PM
I really do believe that Marijuana should be legalized , and that there is seriously nothing wrong with it. There are so many people in hospice that are using the THC oils which are making their lives so much easier. The legalization of marijuana will give more opportunities for Entrepreneurs.
Jadine Richards said:
on Tuesday 28-Aug-18 10:22 AM
I really see nothing wrong with this and think it should have been done a long time ago. It should be controlled the same way alcohol is. South Africans use marijuana anyway so it might as well be controlled, monitored and taxed.
Melissa said:
on Monday 27-Aug-18 08:42 AM
I think it's going to be better if Marijuana becomes legal, because people are going to be more chilled in life and think that the alcohol rate will then decrease eg. less car accidents.
Joyce said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 05:00 PM
I also think it would be a boom business and that this would be big money for people involved.
Prishani said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 04:58 PM
I haven’t actually thought about having marijuana fully legalised in our country. I have no doubt that business owners will get very creative and take advantage of the oppourtunuty and of course make loads of money from all of this when it eventually takes off.
Jessica said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 04:46 PM
With the 'dagga couple' on the forefront of such battle and the recent judgements within the Western Cape, I am certain that it will become totally legal quite soon. However, legalisation will only be effected when the Government determines how to tax such, because people can grow for own use and evade the attached taxes quite easily, perhaps this is why our Government has dragged its feet on such an issue/ It would certainly make us an even more popular tourist destination - as seen with Amsterdam, tourists flock there from all over the world for that very reason - Legal marijuana !
courtney said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 04:03 PM
I cant wait for Marijuana to be legal. It is so much better then alcohol, not the taste or smell but what it does to the human body. People will relax more, instead alcohol does the exact opposite to some people.
The money is going to be really good!
Alexis said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 01:50 PM
Apparently there is a shop / restaurant already open in the JHB area. Have not been there bur will be intrigued to take a look and see what it is all about. I have read a lot about it and have found quite a few articles of it curing cancer and many other things if taken in the medicinal fashion...there clearly is a positive side to its consumption as well, regardless of the stigma put upon it - but yes, I do agree that it will be the next boom in the business world
Victoria said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 01:38 PM
This is going to be a big business and will be very successful for those involved.
Nikita said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 12:57 PM
I am rather content with marijuana becoming legalized in this country. I think that the illnesses and ailments that the oils from the plant can help with cannot be overlooked. If it is legislated properly I think that it will change thousands of people’s lives.
Zindy said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 09:56 AM
I'm sure they will legalize it soon. Every second or third person I come across is using some sort of form of it weather it be oil or cream. Growing up we would never hear of these things and now everybody around you is using it.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 09:23 AM
Very interesting. Reminds me of Amsterdam. It also goes back to freedom of choice but at the end of the day I must agree, it may be a gateway drug for vulnerable or addictive type people. While it may have its pros, it definitely has its cons. Weed is just not for everyone. It is still illegal in South Africa but the "dagga couple" are working on that. Its true though it probably will make a dent for the economic growth especially for local farmers. When it does become legal though, I am sure there will be more legislation being passed like it cannot be sold 600m from a school etc. As time changes, so does our community/societies view and so our law.
Fikile said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 09:14 AM
Weed/ Marijuana is good and also bad but in most cases it's the best medication anyone can ask for and if it would be legalised a lot of people will want to sell it or worse grow it, but we can not wait any longer for it to be legalised
Bianca N said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 08:57 AM
I definitely think this will happen sooner than later, and yes it is going to be big money for those involved.
Helen said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 08:42 AM
I am very surprised to see that shops like this even exist in the world! Interesting to see who will be regular customer in this shop and how police will deal with the ones who gets overdose of smoking?
Reading the article about the marijuana or Dagga (Cannabis Sativa) there are so many SIDE-EFFECTS:
1. Brain damage;
2.Amnesia;
3 Sterility;
4 Emphysema / Lung deceases;
5 Emotional and Spiritual problems;
6 Lowered Libido;
7 Weakened Liver functions;
8 Overall deterioration in health.
I do not see myself legalizing this type of drug in SA!
david said:
on Friday 24-Aug-18 07:21 AM
i also have no doubt it will be legalised. i just wish it would happen already.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
