Cannabis in Namibia explained

Cannabis in Namibia is illegal for recreational and medicinal uses, but cannabis, just like mandrax (methaqualone), are the most popular illicit drugs in the country.[1] Cannabis also has a history of use as a traditional medicine[2] [3] [4] [5] by local indigenous communities. Per the 2011 UNODC report, the incidence of annual cannabis usage in Namibia was 3.9% as of 2000.[6]

Terminology

The term dagga or dakha ("grass") is common for cannabis, with a cannabis cigarette termed a zol or joint.[7]

Laws and policies

The "Abuse of Dependence-Producing Substances and Rehabilitation Centres Act of 1971" is the law currently in force in Namibia, supplemented by the "Combatting of the Abuse of Drugs Bill" of 2006 which increased penalties to prison sentences of between 20 and 40 years (alternative to incarceration includes a fine of between N$300,000 and N$500,000), even for first-time drug offense, regardless of drug type or quantity. At the time of adoption of that bill, protests were raised against the proposal, particularly by Namibia's artistic and creative communities, and followers of the Rastafarian faith.[8] [9]

Possible cannabis law reforms

Following a proposal filed in June 2020 by the non-profits Ganja Users of Namibia (GUN) and Rastafari United Front (RUF),[10] a governmental task force was established to consult on the eventual regulation and controlled use of cannabis in Namibia,[11] [12] including a public consultation process open from 12 to 22 November 2020 convened by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.[13]

The Cannabis and Hemp Association of Namibia (CHAN)[14] was constituted, with support from the Dagga Couple of neighbouring South Africa,[15] to further represent voices of the communities of people who use or grow cannabis and hemp in the country.[16]

In September 2021, GUN and RUF filed a lawsuit against the Ministers of justice, and of health and social services, as well as other country officials, asking "for their own rights to use dagga, to challenge the constitutionality of all laws prohibiting dagga in Namibia."[17] [18]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Stephen C. Adkisson. Osei G. Kofi. Tony Figueira. Children in Namibia: Reaching Towards the Rights of Every Child. 1995. Social Sciences Division, University of Namibia.
  2. Balogun. FO. Ashafa. AOT. A Review of Plants Used in South African Traditional Medicine for the Management and Treatment of Hypertension. Planta Medica. 2019. 85. 4. 312–334. 10.1055/a-0801-8771. 30477041. free.
  3. Kaya. Hassan O. 2017. Biodiversity, Traditional Medicine and Public Health Care in Eastern and Southern Africa. Botswana Journal of African Studies. 31 . 1, Suppl. 1.
  4. Book: African Indigenous Medical Knowledge and Human Health. 2018. 9781032095806. Wambebe. Charles.
  5. 2008-10-28. Review on plants with CNS-effects used in traditional South African medicine against mental diseases. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. en. 119. 3. 513–537. 10.1016/j.jep.2008.08.010. 0378-8741. Stafford. Gary I.. Pedersen. Mikael E.. Van Staden. Johannes. Jäger. Anna K.. 18775771.
  6. http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/WDR-2011.html World Drug Report 2011
  7. Web site: Marijuana problem in northern Namibia . Southernafrican.news . 2015-12-06.
  8. Web site: Africa: Proposed Draconian Drug Law in Namibia Runs Into Intense Opposition. 2015-12-06. StoptheDrugWar.org.
  9. News: 2016-11-03. Public gets on high horse over new drug law. The Namibian. 2016-11-07.
  10. Book: Office of the Speaker, Parliament of Namibia. Petition by the Ganja Users of Namibia for the Legalization of the use of marijuana in Namibia. Parliament of Namibia. 2020. Windhoek.
  11. Web site: 2020-11-18. Namibia sets tup task force to consider cannabis legalisation. live. 2021-05-19. Medical Brief. en-US. mbrf. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201114418/https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/namibia-sets-tup-task-force-to-consider-cannabis-legalisation/ . 2020-12-01 .
  12. Web site: Namibian. The. Dagga legalisation talks back on the table. 2021-05-19. The Namibian. en.
  13. Web site: 2020-12-18. Namibia Cannabis Legalization Cannabiz Africa Marijuana Reform. 2021-05-19. Cannabiz Africa. en-ZA.
  14. Web site: Cannabis and Hemp Association of Namibia. 2021-05-19. CHAN. en.
  15. Web site: Namibian. The. SA pro-cannabis activists to visit Namibia. 2021-05-19. The Namibian. en.
  16. Web site: Cannabis in Namibia: an Interview with Angela Prusa – Canna Tech Global. 2021-05-19. en-US.
  17. Web site: Namibian. The. Lawsuit filed to legalise dagga. 2021-11-04. The Namibian. en.
  18. Web site: 2021-09-08. Lawsuit to legalise cannabis filed in Namibia. 2021-11-04. Medical Brief. en-US.

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