SANCA Supports Decriminalization of Dagga

w1z4rd

w1z4rd

Karmic Sangoma
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With a national network of treatment centres, these folks tackle the tragic results of substance abuse. The hard tack that really messes people up. Next year will mark 60 years of SANCA making a difference. Not every addict will recover forever and not every addict is an addict. When faced with a judge and an option of a South African prison or rehab, rehab is the easy ride. So many a cannabis consumer will take a walk on the rehab side for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, not for having a crippling bad habit.

When it comes to cannabis cases, SANCA does not use any drugs for treating the withdrawal symptoms, simply because there are none. No buckling to beds or that scene from Trainspotting. By the looks of it, there isn’t much more to it than lots of intense talking. Which in all fairness, some smokers might benefit from. Just like Weigh-Less. Does it really work? I don’t know. But surely there are people who are benefitting from this, whether it is some guy who really, really, really, really likes his grass to some poor soul who is horribly hooked on something from the buffet of unforgiving stuff, legal or otherwise.

Here’s the thing though. Per their recent interview with The Dagga Couple on Jacaranda FM, and contrary to their previous stance on the subject, SANCA now supports the decriminalization of cannabis. The people who first-hand deal with the absolute worst possibilities of cannabis abuse do not think that people should go to jail for using or even abusing it. Add to this that POPCRU (Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union) think that cannabis should be legalised because “If it happens, then this will save police resources – instead of chasing after (dagga sellers and producers), they can look at bigger crime”.

Let’s get that again…

The rehabs and the cops think cannabis should not be illegal.
The devil is in the definitions though. Legalization means having a legal cannabis industry for growers, sellers and users. Decriminalization means you can have a certain amount for personal use, but cannot legally grow, sell or buy it. A half pregnant situation where you could do time or rehab for trading or using cannabis, with criminal records still a real possibility. This brings us back to the staple theory of cannabis prohibition… The Gateway Theory. If cannabis users are forced to get some grass from drug dealers who have pockets full of addictive pleasures, there will still be that exposure to something dangerous that usually comes for free the first time. With decriminalization, the exorbitant cannabis profits remain with drug dealers and it’s just an all round stalemate for everyone else.

Legalization on the other hand offers us the powers of regulation, quality control, tax revenue, jobs, infinite industrial applications, harm reduction and less drug dealers. There’s even room for SANCA and those who can’t get too much of a green thing. Did I mention “If it happens, then this will save police resources – instead of chasing after (dagga sellers and producers), they can look at bigger crime”.

There we have it. Cops say cannabis users are not criminals, rehabs say cannabis users are not criminals, public opinion says we are not criminals.

The only thing missing now are our elected leaders. Are they even listening?
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http://www.belowthelion.co.za/sanca-supports-decriminalization-of-dagga/

Pretty epic move from SANCA. They had a very different view a couple of months ago, but after a bit of education. Theyve change their opinion. Most excellent.
 
I concur. This prohibition has gone on for far too long, wasted far too much money and achieved absolutely nothing.
 
cpu. said:
Is this not a gateway drug?
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Although the technical answer is NO. It could be a gateway 'drug' only insofar as you may be exposed to substances like meth and heroin be virtue of being forced to buy an otherwise harmless plant from criminals who profit from the prohibition.
 
Even though I haven't touched the stuff in years, I fully support the decriminalization of dagga.

(Dagga makes me too anxious, unfortunately.)
 
cpu. said:
Use cannibis, then later move on to stronger "stuff" looking for a "harder/different kick".
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Then no, cannabis is not a gateway drug.

People who do that would have gone onto hard drugs regardless of taking Cannabis or not.
 
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