Marijuana-legalization

Ben & Jerry’s used the 4/20 holiday to make a significant point about marijuana legalization.It’s hard to celebrate 4/20 when so many people of color are still being arrested for pot. We have to do better. Learn more: https://t.co/DPCcqND0SI pic.twitter.com/fLsngGteOF— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 20, 2019As a snack company, Ben & Jerry’s has every reason to favor weed legalization. However, it did not shy away from the racial aspect of the weed debate.“Even if you’re not in a state that legalized pot, there’s a still a pretty good chance that the cops won’t hassle you as you spend 4/20 doing your thing,” the ice cream company wrote on its website. “If you’re a white person.”The company pointed out how 81% of marijuana executives are white people.Ben & Jerry’s further asserted its point with several sobering statistics about how stoners of color are treated by law enforcement.“Between 2001 and 2010, there were more than 8 million pot arrests (88% for possession). And during that time, a Black person was 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person,” Ben & Jerry’s continued.“Since then, in states that have legalized cannabis, arrests, as you’d expect, have gone done. Unfortunately, legalization hasn’t done anything to change the racial disparities.” Black people are even targeted in states where pot is entirely legal. Black people in Alaska are 10 times more likely to be arrested. We’re also three and four times more likely to be cuffed over cannabis in Colorado and Washington, D.C., respectively.Ben & Jerry’s started a petition for the expungement of marijuana convictions and pardons for people who only have weed-related charges on their records. As of this report, over 33K people have signed it.The ice cream company is also putting money toward the cause. The Daily Beast reports Go Caliva dispensary will donate 4.20% of its 4/20 profit to Clear My Record, a project dedicated to clearing marijuana charges from people’s criminal records. Anyone who placed an order with the dispensary on 4/20 received a free pint of Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream, according to WXIA.It’s official: Ben & Jerry's has moved up the ranks as a favorite munchies snack.Now, check these out:Dallas Cowboys Player Smokes A Joint While Announcing He's Quitting The NFL To Protest Its Weed PolicyLizzo Gets Her Hair Braided, Honors Nipsey Hussle and Outraps Your Faves All In One ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ SetHennessy Plans To Donate $10 Million To HBCU Graduate Students Within A 10-Year...

C.J. Wallace, the son of rap icon The Notorious B.I.G. and R&B legend Faith Evans, is honoring his father's legacy with a new company that will focus on cannabis products as well as social justice initiatives.Think BIG is an initiative spearheaded by Wallace, his stepfather Todd Russaw and businessman Willie Mack. The company hopes to use the money it makes from cannabis products like pre-rolls, vapes, gummies, pens and apparel to invest in social justice initiatives and criminal justice reform."Cannabis was important for my mom, and it was important for my father, so that was enough proof for me to know cannabis is a real tool for creative expression," Wallace told Forbes."This is real legacy building for me and my dads. Ultimately I feel like he’d be really proud, especially of how much positivity we are driving to normalize cannabis and finally reverse the stigma around it," the young entrepreneur continued. "I think just being part of the industry would be a high priority for him. He would definitely have been an early adopter -- fighting for legalization."Wallace later told Black Enterprise that before his father's death 22 years ago, B.I.G. had been arrested on charges related to marijuana and would have had to deal with the justice system "like so many other Black men.” The trio has already released a line of clothing and plan to debut their first marijuana strain -- named "Frank White" after a moniker often used by Biggie -- which will come in pre-rolled packs. The strain is classified as a "custom blended with Orange Sherbet, Banjo, and Rattlesnake Sour Diesel,” according to Essence.“In some ways, we are the driver for social change to help shift the negative stigma of the use of cannabis and the rise of cannabis businesses in Black communities,” Mack told Essence. “We want the Black community to see the cannabis industry as an economic driver as it is one of the fastest growing industries in the world right now.” Since legalization efforts have begun in multiple states, the marijuana industry has blossomed into a billion-dollar business. But despite the wide profit margins, many people are still being arrested and serving lengthy prison sentences for selling cannabis, prompting companies like Think BIG to step in and join the fight for criminal justice reform."We can no longer stand idly by while our people struggle in the face of unjust marijuana laws and environmental policies that disproportionately target people of color," the company wrote on its website."That’s why we support organizations that advocate for social and criminal justice reform, including the fights against mass incarceration and climate change."Think BIG is currently supporting various social justice organizations like NORML, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, The Prison Arts, Autism Speaks and the American Breast Cancer Foundation in their efforts to reduce the stigma around marijuana.Now, check these out:These 3 States Have Officially Legalized MarijuanaWhen Marijuana Is Finally Legalized In New York, Black People Need To Be Major Participants In The Industry3 Black Women, Tired Of The Whitewashed Weed Industry, Created 'Cannaclusive' To Rep For People Of...

On Monday, Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said she's for legalizing marijuana on The Breakfast Club.Harris said she had smoked a blunt back in college and admitted to the hosts that "I inhaled," a somewhat petty throwback to commentary former President Clinton made in his 1992 campaign, saying he tried marijuana but "didn't inhale."The native Californian stated that rumors about her not supporting weed are untrue, elaborating that, "half my family is from Jamaica, are you kidding me?"This announcement might come as a pleasant surprise to nearly 62 percent of Americans that are in favor of marijuana legalization, according to the Pew Research Center. Still, Harris' policies have not always reflected the pro-legalization stance she relayed on The Breakfast Club.During her district attorney days in San Francisco, she opposed Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 that nearly 54 percent of Californians voted "no" on and was subsequently shut down. According to The Hill, Harris also opposed recreational legalization in 2015 but supports a proposed bill called the Marijuana Justice Act to decriminalize the drug along with fellow presidential hopeful Democratic Senator Cory Booker. "African-Americans use marijuana at roughly the same rate as whites but are approximately four times more likely to be arrested for possession,” Harris said to The Hill. “The fact is marijuana laws are not applied and enforced the same way for all people.” Make sure you're following Blavity:Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and informed.Now, check this out: Kamala Harris Defends Her Blackness and Her Interracial Marriage While Discussing Recent Blackface Controversies, Fox News Host Claims 'Hamilton' Culturally MisappropriatesWyoming Democrats Call For Republican State Senator To Resign After She Compares Homosexuality to...

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has introduced a new bill to legalize marijuana on the federal level.Wyden introduced the aptly named S. 420 on Thursday, according to Forbes. The senator hopes to legalize marijuana by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), establishing an excise tax for legal operations and by creating a permit system for aspiring merchants. If it were to become law, S. 420 would also develop guidelines for marijuana usage based on current alcohol regulations.Wyden wants the country to follow the example of Oregon, whose state government decriminalized marijuana in 1973.“The federal prohibition of marijuana is wrong, plain and simple," Wyden said in a statement. "Too many lives have been wasted, and too many economic opportunities have been missed. It’s time Congress make the changes Oregonians and Americans across the country are demanding.”Wyden also introduced two more marijuana bills to accompany S. 420.The first, S. 421, would "reduce the gap between federal and state marijuana policy” by allowing dispensaries to establish themselves without fear of persecution from the federal government. The other, S. 422, would allow cannabis businesses to pay regular business taxes to keep them “from getting hit with an unfair tax bill.”Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D) supports the legislation and believes it stands a chance in the current iteration of Congress, according to The Hill.“The American people have elected the most pro-cannabis Congress in American history and significant pieces of legislation are being introduced,” Blumenauer said. “The House is doing its work and with the help of Senator Wyden’s leadership in the Senate, we will break through.”Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Three New Bills In The House As A Rebuke To Trump's Immigration PolicyJonah Larson Is The 11-year-old Crochet Prodigy Whose Creations Will Blow You AwayGucci Is Being Accused Of Racism Over Turtleneck That Seems To Simulate...

This piece was written with New York State Assembly Member Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (District 141). She is the primary sponsor of legislation to legalize marijuana in New York.New York is on the cusp of legalizing marijuana. This moment comes after years of work by activists, civil rights organizations, and advocacy groups, and committed members of the State Legislature. For civil rights organizations like the National Action Network, the legalization of marijuana is a racial justice issue. In New York City, Black and Hispanic people made up 86 percent of the marijuana arrests from 2014–2016. Black people have borne the greatest burden during this era of marijuana prohibition in New York: they are 3.5 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession.People understand that marijuana prohibition must end because it has been enforced in a racially biased manner. Still, legalization is more than just a racial justice issue. Marijuana legalization is an economic justice issue. Our task now is to create a marijuana industry which does not exclude Black people. Several states have experimented with legalization. Many of these efforts have not centered on communities of color. Less than five percent of founders and business owners in the marijuana industry are African-American.In January 2017, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was introduced for the second time into the New York State Legislature (Bill numbers. A.3506C/S.3040C). It is carried in the NYS Assembly by Assembly Member Crystal Peoples-Stokes and in the NYS Senate by Senator Liz Kreuger. This legislation recognizes that marijuana legalization is an economic justice issue as well as a racial and social justice issue. The bill has gained the support of activists because of provisions which would (1) allow past marijuana convictions to be sealed, (2) create a diverse industry and (3) reinvestment in communities that have been disproportionally impacted by marijuana criminalization.That same year, Rev Al Sharpton spoke at the Cannabis World Expo and discussed his support of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. Rev. Sharpton stressed the fact that Black people must be included in the marijuana industry because Black communities have been disproportionately harmed by enforcement. One of the provisions of the MRTA which would help to ensure diversity in the marijuana industry is keeping licensing and application fees reasonable. Black people cannot be owners in the marijuana industry if they cannot afford the licenses to start a business.In autumn of 2018, the New York State Assembly held public hearings on the legalization of marijuana. At this series of four hearings, advocates presented testimony about the MRTA and their varied views on the best ways to create a marijuana industry in New York. The Drug Policy Alliance, Latino Justice, VOCAL-NY and the National Action Network presented testimony which stressed the need to repair the harms which have been done to communities of color. One of the ways to help atone for New York’s racially disproportionate enforcement of marijuana laws is to give racial minorities a real opportunity to become owners in the regulated industry.In the spring and summer of 2018, New York’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo, moved the state closer to marijuana legalization. Governor Cuomo commissioned a study by the NYS Dept. of Health on the impact of legalization. Their favorable report led to the creation of the  Governor’s working group to draft legislation which would legalize the adult use of marijuana. This is the boldest move that any governor in New York has made towards legalizing marijuana. The work that Governor Cuomo has done to move the state towards marijuana legalization has been lauded by policy makers and advocates.In 2019, marijuana legalization is likely to become a reality in New York. Black and Hispanic communities must continue to take centerstage in the conversations around legalization. It is not enough to simply seal past marijuana convictions. Black people and other communities of color must be real participants in this new industry. The MRTA has provisions which provide ways for these communities’ continued entrepreneurship in an industry which, once regulated, structurally thwarts diversity. New York citizens, activists and many legislators — including the bill’s sponsors — are adamant that steps must be taken to avoid creating a marijuana industry which inadvertently excludes communities of color from business...

Update:  Three out of the four states approved some sort of legalization of marijuana on Election Day. Michigan voted to allow marijuana to be used for recreational use, while both Utah and Missouri approved marijuana for medical use only. North Dakota rejected Measure 3 which would have allowed for the drug to be used for recreational use. Previous:  Utah, North Dakota, Missouri, and Michigan all have marijuana on the ballot Election Day. Midterm elections are just days away, and voters in several states will decide if and how their states will regulate the sale and use of marijuana. According to Pew Research Center, 69 percent of Americans are in favor of legalizing the controversial cannabis.Whether it's for recreational or medicinal use, these four states have managed to get marijuana on the ballot. 1. MichiganWith over 250,000 signatures by Michigan citizens documented via a petition in support of recreational marijuana use, voters in the Great Lakes States will finally get the chance to let their voices be heard at the polls, voting on issues like Proposal 1. Some of the policies pegged to recreational marijuana address its possession, consumption, personal cultivation and gardening, and commercial farming. Specifically, if Proposal 1 passes, funding that is obtained through the taxation of its recreational use of marijuana will go toward public education and improving local infrastructure.  2. MissouriMissouri managed to get three marijuana-focused proposals on the ballot. The New Approach Missouri would allow doctors to prescribe the drug to patients suffering from cancer, epilepsy, PTSD as well as seven other conditions. This is also the only amendment that would allow people to grow their own marijuana plants.The Bradshaw Amendment also focuses on those suffering from disease. The proposition would establish a board of nine researchers, who would leverage marijuana to discover new medical treatments for incurable illnesses and chronic conditions, including cancer.The third initiative, the Missourians for Patient Care Act, also advocates for legalizing medical marijuana for patients, after receiving proper certification from a physician. The proposition would include a 2 percent sales tax on medicinal cannabis, the pr proceeds of which would go toward “veterans’ services, drug treatment, early childhood education and public safety.”  3. North DakotaNorth Dakota has already allowed certain qualifying patients to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, thanks to the approval of Measure 5.Now voters in North Dakota will weigh in on Measure 3, a policy akin to how the sale and consumption of alcohol is governed. If passed, this initiative would allow adults ages 21 and older to grow and indulge in cannabis recreationally. Those under the legal age limit using recreational marijuana would be subject to punishment. There would also be penalties for those who attempt to sell marijuana to anyone under 21. According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, Measure 3 would also expunge “nearly 180,000 criminal records of those previously convicted of marijuana-related crimes." 4. UtahBallotopedia polls show that over 60 percent of Utah’s citizens favor the passing of Proposition 2, as reported by Vox. If passed, this initiative would “legalize medical marijuana for individuals with qualifying conditions.” Like this content? Check these out:Musician Sentenced To 8 Years Of Prison In Mississippi For Possession Of Legal WeedThe Midterms Are About More Than Voting For Candidates: Here Are Other Reasons Why You Should VoteFlorida Is One Of Four States With A Lifetime Ban On Voting For Convicted Felons. Here's How Amendment 4 Can Change That.Make sure you're following Blavity: Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and...

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ben Jealous is facing off against incumbent Gov. Larry Hogan in Maryland. The former president of the NAACP, Jealous has a progressive message that calls for a $15 minimum wage, Medicare-for-all, the legalization and taxation of marijuana and tuition-free college. Additionally, he has the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and even comedian Dave Chappelle. As the youngest president to lead the NAACP, Jealous has worked with statewide governments to develop plans to address mass incarceration and expand civil rights. If elected governor of Maryland, he hopes to continue this work, as he would be the first Black man history to secure this position in political office.As a traditionally blue state, there's much hope for a win. In the 2016 presidential primaries, Clinton won her party's nomination with 63 percent of the vote, not only surpassing direct competition Bernie Sanders, but also Trump, who only secured his nomination as the Republican candidate with a meager 54.4 percent. Clinton triumphed yet again in the general election with 60.3 percent of the vote, as Trump lagged behind with 33.9 percent. Democrats in Maryland also currently have a veto-proof majority in the state legislature and hold both U.S. Senate seats, as well as all but one congressional district.Will Jealous’ progressive agenda motivate enough voters to the polls, in a state with slow job growth that's also been known to host controversial police activity and a public school system often criticized for its apparent racial and socioeconomic divide? Blavity Politics caught up with the civil rights leader on the campaign trail to discuss his journey from the NAACP to 2018 midterm elections, and everything in between:Blavity: What advice would you give to young Black men navigating their way in Trump’s America?Ben Jealous: Pursue your dreams with passion, and don’t let anyone deny you what’s yours.Listen and seek out the elders, who forged a path in front of you. Listen for their stories for inspiration, but also for instruction for how to win the battles in your life. There’s a reason why great generals know so much history.I’d also say, if you want to lead any institution, learn how to drive revenue. That’s what empowered me to lead the NAACP.Blavity: You are the former national president and CEO of the NAACP. How has your time and experience in this previous role help prepare you for running for governor?Jealous: I’m running as a civil rights leader and a business person: The civil rights leader in me knows that genius is evident is every zip code; the business person in me knows that if we tap into  that genius, if we cultivate that genius, we can all do better. Those complimentary experiences helps me focus my platform — to make sure kids get a quality education, everyone has quality health care they can afford, and that we build a more inclusive and robust economy powered by the people.Blavity: What's the biggest lesson you learned from your tenure with the NAACP?Jealous: Our guiding principle at the NAACP was, "In order to have a friend, you gotta be a friend." It’s the ethic of this campaign, and it’s the ethic of my leadership in civil rights. We are more interconnected and interdependent than we often acknowledge. But when you embrace that, you find people are ready to embrace it, too.Blavity: What is the most important thing you think young Black voters should prioritize this election?Jealous: Young voters need to own their power. They should demand that leaders have a plan to address issues that are unique to their generation, like student debt, stopping police killings of innocent civilians, and even legalizing cannabis for adult use. If young people stand up and raise their voice, they will find that solutions are possible, and our laws will increasingly reflect the values of their generation.Blavity: What is the worst advice you’ve ever gotten?Jealous: "Someone like you can't do that."Blavity: There has been a lot of struggle and concern around the policing of Black communities in your state, particularly in Baltimore. What is your plan to help create fair policing policies and criminal justice reform in your state?Jealous: Increase civilian oversight; use personality testing to weed out those that have precluded abusive, violent behavior; recruit more officers from urban communities; and build an apprenticeship program from our high schools into the police force, to help achieve that.  I’d reform our Police Officers' Bill of Rights, so that there is no longer a waiting period for the investigation of an police officer, who has been accused of murder.Blavity: Shortly after the death of the Freddie Gray, a young student from Baltimore reportedly made this statement in video by Brookings Creative Lab, which was also cited in a Huffington Post article: “Everything is still segregated and the opportunities are different. Kids aren’t allowed to go to certain schools — or, even if they do, they’ll go there, but they won’t feel comfortable. They’ll feel outcasted in those different schools.” If you could address this student directly, how would you respond? What is your solution to help fix the racial divide within Maryland's most vulnerable cities?Jealous: I’d say to that young person, "You’re never too young to start leading."My mom sued to desegregate her school when she was 12, and it was desegregated when she was 15. Young people’s time to lead is now; there are school board members in Maryland as young as 14. When we see more more young people running for office, we see more young people out to vote, and we see more policy in place that help govern young people’s lives.To fix the racial divide, the number one thing we can do is make sure that every school is a great school. Housing segregation has accelerated by underfunded schools, poorly resourced schools and underperforming schools. If we’re going to solve the resegregation of our neighbors, we have to stop the under education of young people.Blavity: What's your favorite thing to binge watch?Jealous: Drunk History, because historians are more compelling when they're candid. Also, Star Wars movies with my son.Blavity: You’re a father to two adorable children. How has being a father helped shape your message and campaign?Jealous: Being a parent to public school kids makes me [feel a sense of] urgency to address the underfunding of our schools. We have an opportunity to fully fund our schools, and as governor I plan to make that happen. As a parent, I know we don’t a lot of time to waste. It’s not about what we can do 10 years from now, it’s about what we can do for them next year. [The children] will rise or fall based on the courage we have as adults to make sure they have all have a quality public education, and our economy will rise or fall based on that courage, as well. If you shortchange public education today, you short-circuit economic growth tomorrow.Blavity: Tell us more about your Make It in Maryland plan and the importance of increasing wages?Jealous: Job growth in Maryland is so slow, that if we had the job growth of Virginia we’d have 400,000 more jobs right now — and Virginia’s job growth is below the national level. In order stilt job growth, we have to take a page out of Silicon Valley’s book, and make it easier to take ideas created by federally-funded research, turn them into products and bring them to market.Maryland is the number-one destination for federal research dollars, yet we lag in the creation of startups. I propose placing power in the governor’s office to make it central to stoking our economy in Maryland. In the same way we’d work to make it easier for startup founders to create jobs and wealth, we must make it easier for work to add up for every worker. So I propose to raise the statewide minimum wage to $15 per hour. I recognize the best way to stop a bullet is with a job, and we’ve got to make sure to bring jobs back to areas that have suffered most. We will create a pilot program that will demonstrate that it is better for our economy to invest in creating jobs and public employment in neighborhoods with high rates of unemployment and underemployment.  Blavity: What do you say to business owners and leaders that don’t have that civil rights experience, and have failed to invest in the diverse and inclusive spaces as you plan to create as governor?Jealous: I’d tell them that trickle-down economics has failed, and bottom-up economics has always worked. And honestly, a lot of business owners are starting to get it. I launched my campaign in front of a flower shop, and the owner of that shop is a supporter and supports a statewide $15 per hour minimum wage. She readily admitted, "I will have to pay some of my workers more, and I will look forward to it because people in this neighborhood don’t make a livable wage. So if the neighbor gets a raise, I’ll sell more flowers."Our economy is based on consumer spending. For two generations we’ve seen the base of our economy contract. When we start expanding the base of our economy by raising wages, we will see our entire economy grow.  Blavity:  A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change painted a grim picture of the future. What would you do as governor to curb climate change?Jealous: When I'm governor, I'll put Maryland on the path to 100 percent reliance on clean and renewable energy. We have to make Maryland a leader on environmental protection and on the opportunities presented by the 21st century, green economy. I'll also ensure that Maryland meets and exceeds all the regulations and benchmarks laid out in the Paris Agreement. If Donald Trump and the Republicans in Washington, D.C., won't lead on this issue, then our governors and our states have to.Blavity: Why should Maryland residents vote for you?Jealous: If you want to send a message to Donald Trump, elect a civil rights leader as your next governor.Blavity: What are your long-term career plans — win or lose?Jealous: I'll keep doing what I've always done; working toward building stronger communities and advancing civil rights. Whether it’s in government, the private sector, or the nonprofit space, the common theme of my career has been bringing people together to solve the big problems we all face. I can’t imagine doing anything else.Early voting has already begun in Maryland, with over 90,000 voters having already cast their ballots as of October 31. Will the voters of the Old Line State favor the moderate, GOP incumbent running with a centrist approach to leadership, or the progressive, Democratic businessman heavily influenced by civil rights doctrine? The country will be watching on November 6 to find out.Did you like this article? Here are three more like it:How Automatic Voter Registration Can Amplify The Black VoteAndrew Gillum Claps Back At Donald Trump After He Calls Him A 'Thief'Here Are 7 Ways To Make Sure Your Friends Get Out And VoteMake sure you're following Blavity Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and...

Midterm elections are more than just voting for candidates; elections are a time to vote on state ballot initiatives that focus on a particular issue. This year's elections are especially important, because of the amount of major issues you can potentially vote for or against.For instance, your state may be voting on the legalization of marijuana. If you live in the Midwest, you could be voting on issues that impact prison reform, via legislation that includes direct input from the Ohio Student Association (OSA). Additionally, a vote for a Democratic candidate for governor could mean a vote for proposed affordable health care. Other important matters that specifically affect the Black community, like more protections against the adverse impact of gentrification and support for fair voter rights, may also be included on the ballot in your state. Join the Blavity: Politics daily email and follow our coverage on InstagramThere are endless reasons to vote on November 6. But the bottom line is that candidates in the 2018 midterm elections are running on initiatives that — whether you choose to vote or not— will directly or indirectly influence the trajectory of your life, as well as the lives of your friends and family. This is why it's so important to familiarize yourself with candidates' platforms and understand what voting for your representatives could mean for your future.To make your voice count, get the polls and vote!Liking this content? Check these out: Why The 2018 Midterms Elections Matter? Heres What 2019 Could Look With Three Black Governors 5 Racist Tactics Black People Have To Overcome When Running For...

Before today, possession of marijuana in South Africa got you up to 15 years in prison. And dealing weed could net you up to 25 years behind bars, according to OkayAfrica. Now all that has changed, because the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court, has declared the substance legal, the BBC reports. "It will not be a criminal offence for an adult person to use or be in possession of cannabis in private for his or her personal consumption," Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said following the Tuesday judgment.Don't get it twisted, though, South Africa's not about to become a cannabis free-for-all. It will still be illegal to use marijuana in public and will still be illegal to distribute it. The ruling is for personal use only. The country's parliament has 24 months to codify the ruling into a law, according to the court. During that time period, private users will be protected under the court ruling. Scenes from outside the Constitutional Court on Tuesday. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/cK1rHCH39D— Iavan Pijoos (@iavanpijoos) September 18, 2018South Africans were elated by the wonderful weed (known as "dagga" in the country) news, and took to Twitter to express their joy. Rastas outside the Constitutional Court have already started growing their first #dagga plant. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/RA0CASqwQ2— Iavan Pijoos (@iavanpijoos) September 18, 2018What a time to be alive in South Africa 🙌 weed is legal!— Olivia ❤️ (@SimplyRisque) September 18, 2018Weed is now legal in South Africa!!! pic.twitter.com/WfugXGfike— Delinquent So-Mya (@Lwazi_Somya) September 18, 2018So September the 18th will go down in South Africa as a national weed independence day #Dagga 👏👏👏👏👏— SMASH 🇿🇦 (@Mandla_Sms) September 18, 2018The Cannabis Development Council of South Africa was also pleased with the ruling, and wants the government to go one step further by dropping existing possession charges against residents.Now, check these out:6 Reasons It's Time That All Of Africa Legalizes Cannabis3 Black Women, Tired Of The Whitewashed Weed Industry, Created 'Cannaclusive' To Rep For People Of ColorBlack Lawmakers Look To Add Diversity In The Medical Marijuana...

When we think of a cannabis user, we often think of the couch potato who watches trippy cat videos, retweets ridiculous memes and plays loose with substance abuse. We rarely think of the farmer in swamplands who grows and sells cannabis to feed her family or the rural communities which are largely sustained by it. The production and sale of cannabis has given a platform to farmers who want to take control of their own destiny. Legal prohibition of cannabis in Africa can be dated all the way back to the 18th century and reinforced throughout colonial Africa. Whether you disagree with cannabis use or not, it already has deep roots in African history, it has concrete medical and industrial uses, it is good for the economy and for farmers, it’s criminalization is too costly to maintain and enforce, and, let’s be frank, Africa’s justice system has bigger things to worry about than arresting marijuana farmers and users. With new scientific studies that debunk dated-myths about cannabis, strong economic rationale, and a global push towards legalization, there hasn’t been a better time for Africa to take an affirmative stance on cannabis.Africans Have Been Invested In WeedAfrica isn’t new to this. The hemp derived from cannabis called sativa is the low THC, non-psychoactive sibling of marijuana and has been used to make paper, fuel, cooking oil, rope, soap, building materials, and the list goes on. The earliest reports of Africans actually smoking (or drinking) marijuana (high THC, psychoactive) doesn’t come until the 14th-century when archeologists found marijuana resin in 2 ceramic smoker pipe (“bowls”) in Ethiopia. Originally from northern Africa, nomadic Bantu-speaking tribes are credited for carrying cannabis seeds on their journey down to southern Africa and spreading it across the continent in the process.Medical UseMarijuana plays an important largely due to its medicinal properties. With a lack of medical professionals and proper healthcare facilities in rural areas, medical marijuana is an opportunity for African governments to legalize a substance that can make people’s lives a little easier. Research has shown that marijuana can help people living AIDS/HIV to eat and sleep better, experience a better mood, and even helps with neuropathic pain. Additionally, a CNN report highlighted studies which state that marijuana helps with arthritis (reduces pain-causing inflammation), cancer (kills cancer cells and improves radiation treatment), chronic pain, epilepsy (reduced frequency of seizures), and glaucoma (preserve nerves that lead to blindness). If you still believe weed is a gateway drug, you may need to do your Googles and come back to this.Good for EconomyThe weed market has the potential to do to the African economy what it’s already doing in other continents across the globe. CNN sites a UN Survey which states more than 10,000 tons of cannabis are produced on the continent of Africa each year. Based on a rapidly expanding global market for legal weed, leading advocates estimate a potential billion dollar industry in Africa. Not only does this give room for opportunity to stimulate the economy, it can prove to be a unique way for the government and independent farmers to work together. Importantly, it can help reduce unemployment in women (as they are reportedly the biggest dealers in Africa), and young people. With a growing youth population, many of whom are jobless, legalization can help reduce violence and civil unrest. Good for FarmersThe bottom line is weed is good for farmers. From an agricultural perspective, cannabis is just easier to grow and more lucrative than other crops such as maize and sugarcane. Weed farming is an important cash crop in places like the rural Eastern Cape. If African countries legalize production, it can potentially usher in new farm technology and can tap into a huge learning potential for the local farmers, who often lack formal education.  African countries will then have to create government institutions to tackle the sustainable food security and production issues.Regulation Is Too CostlyRegulating cannabis is costly and environmentally damaging with negative effects on people. For the past 10 years, Kenya’s anti-narcotics unit has conducted a vicious campaign to stop cultivation and trade of weed (or bhang). Hundreds of hectares of plantations in the Mount Kenya regions of Embu and Meru are bulldozed or put on fire each year. Despite their efforts, high demand and lack of alternative sources of income drive farmers to continue to harvest. In Zimbabwe, before the legalization of medical marijuana, possession, growing, or use of cannabis for any reason could leave you with a 12-year jail sentence. In Mauritius, an estimated 75% of prisoners are in jails for smoking marijuana. In Gabon, the penalty is six months to two years and a fine.  There is a human cost as well. These government methods, bulldozing crops, spraying pesticides, and long-winded arrests leave devastating collateral damage. For example, in Lusikisiki, Kenya, in a village comprised of just 32 huts and is accessible only on horseback or by foot, community members recall that at first, police squads marched into villages and uprooted plantations by hand, burning whatever they found and booting suspects into jail. They switched to herbicides in 1980, dispensing chemicals using hand-held pumps. By the end of the decade, helicopters had replaced ground patrols, expanding the operation’s reach and enabling pilots to wipe out entire fields within minutes. authorities spray pesticides in the air and that same poison creeps into homes, cheapens the air quality, and makes the animals fall ill when they eat the plants. The government disregards the fact that cannabis leaves alone are no good for smoking so spraying pesticides as a way to reduce pot smoking isn’t the most narrowly-tailored way to do so. When will we stop the violence against our own people?African Countries Should Keep UpOther parts of the world are already on it. Legalization efforts are rapidly advancing in the United States. Over the past decade, several states have legalized medicinal marijuana and a hand full of states legalized it for recreational use. A recent bi-partisan bill proposes legalization on a federal level. Similar propositions are being pitched in Europe and South America. Though still largely illegal in most European countries, the financial impact of marijuana sales is helping grow their economies: cannabis sales make up for 0.64% of Lativa’s GDP, 0.47% of Australia’s, 1.45% of Czech Republic’s, 0.36% of Slovenia’s, and it makes up 0.34% of GDP of New Zealand.Did you know it was already legal in some countries?Don’t get me wrong, a handful of countries in Africa have already joined the "green wave", despite major pushback. Zimbabwe recently legalized the growing and use of cannabis for scientific and medicinal use. Lesotho’s government awarded it’s first cultivation and sale license allowing marijuana farmers to South African alternative medicine company Verve Dynamics. Morocco’s marijuana industry employs 800,000 people and is estimated $10 billion a year in sales. The Malawi government is cultivating hemp on a trial basis for the use of fabric and food products. The Ghana Standards Authority recently suggested that the national campaign to cultivate marijuana could generate valuable income. The Swazi House Assembly of Swaziland has appointed a committee focused on legalization research. With intense pressure from advocates, the South African government has taken strides and is well on its way to legalization. African lawmakers need to eradicate prehistoric laws that aren’t up to date with the pace of the modern global market. They need to see the huge education potential for rural farmers, potential for alleviation of ailments in rural areas, and the potential for government institutions and unprecedented partnerships with...