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<p>Legalisation of the use of cannabis both for medical and recreational purposes picked up steam at the final end of the last decade. Lesotho is one of the first countries to legalise the usage and one pharmaceutical firm based in Maseru, MG Health has set its sights on the global market. CNBC Africa spoke to the CEO of MG Health, Andre Bothma on the company&#8217;s ambitions in the European market.</p>


MG Health CEO on Africa’s role in the global cannabis economy

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<p>On the back of the Constitutional Court judgement, which decriminalized cultivation and consumption of marijuana, South Africa hosted a first of a kind Cannabis Expo on the continent. The gathering saw entrepreneurs; experts and healers educate the general public about the medicinal and economic advantages of Cannabis. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Karabo Letlhatlha spoke to Dr Michael Renda from Care Green Life about his take of the expo.</p>


Africa’s first Cannabis Expo

<p>By Professor Halton Cheadle, partner at BCHC, a specialist labour law firm. Danny Hodgson, a candidate attorney at the firm.</p>
<p>In September 2018, the Constitutional Court ruled that certain provisions of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act were unconstitutional and infringed on the right to privacy. But what does it mean for occupational health and safety in the workplace?</p>
<p>One of the biggest changes will be around testing. In the past, the focus was on determining whether an employee was a user of cannabis and therefore urine, blood and hair follicle testing was appropriate. Now the focus is on whether the employee is intoxicated by cannabis at the workplace and therefore observational checklists need to be utilised as well as saliva tests in order to signal recent use, lawyers from BCHC, specialists in labour law, said.</p>
<p>“The intoxicating effects of alcohol are well known and, for that reason, most employers have a zero tolerance policy against being drunk at work,” said Professor Halton Cheadle of BCHC. “The effects of cannabis, on the other hand, are not as familiar and although dagga may not impair a person to the same extent as alcohol, it is a psychoactive drug.”</p>
<p>The Constitutional Court ruled that adult South African citizens are allowed to cultivate and use cannabis in a private place, which means it can no longer be described as an illegal substance. “Employers will have to reconsider policies that deal with substance use in light of this change,” he explained.</p>
<p>This means that if workers’ cognitive abilities are impaired, they could potentially pose a risk to themselves and others when it comes to operating machinery, driving a vehicle or performing other dangerous work. From these effects, it seems clear cannabis should be regulated in the same manner as alcohol, and a zero tolerance policy should be applied, said BCHC’s Danny Hodgson.</p>
<p>The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 requires employers to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees. And if someone is intoxicated, with alcohol or cannabis, this could pose problems for employers and other employees.</p>
<p>“This means an employer is obliged to implement policies and put measures in place to limit any potential risk of harm, which include identifying intoxicated employees through observation and drug testing and excluding them from the workplace,” said Hodgson.</p>
<p>In light of the Constitutional Court judgment, cannabis use is likely to increase due to its new legal status and a corresponding change in societal norms, Cheadle reckons. “It is therefore important for employers to review their policies to ensure that they can adequately deal with intoxicated employees and comply with their obligations.”</p>


Improperly appointed boards spell disaster for organisations

OpEd: What employers need to know about cannabis in the workplace

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<p>The Constitutional Court is upholding the Western Cape judgement that Cannabis may be used for private use in South Africa. The court judgement has also decriminalised the possession of the substance, but did not stipulate the amount which may be carried for private use. The court clarified that it will not be a criminal offence for an adult to be in possession or to use cannabis in a private space.  Joining me now for this conversation is Jeremy Acton, Leader of the Dagga Party.</p>


#Marijuana now legal for private use in South Africa

<p>JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa’s highest court on Tuesday allowed the private use of marijuana, upholding a lower court’s ruling that found the criminalisation of cannabis was unconstitutional.</p>
<p>Activists who include members of the Rastafarian movement and traditional healers greeted the ruling with loud applause. They have held marches over the years to demand that the law be changed to allow people to smoke ‘weed’, which is called ‘dagga’ in South Africa.</p>
<p>Several government departments, including the health and justice ministries, oppose its legalisation and warn of harmful effects.</p>
<p>But in a unanimous judgment read by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, the Constitutional Court decriminalised home consumption, saying “the use of cannabis must be for the personal consumption of the adult”. The ruling also approved growing marijuana for personal consumption.</p>
<p>Rastafarian Garreth Prince and former Dagga Party leader Jeremy Acton brought the case asking the High Court to allow for the home use of marijuana.</p>
<p>Jules Stobbs and Myrtle Clarke‚ known as the “Dagga Couple”, joined the case, and asked the court to strike down laws banning the use‚ cultivation and sale of marijuana.</p>
<p>He added that it would not be a criminal offence for an adult person to use or be in possession of cannabis in private for their personal consumption in private.</p>
<p>However, the judgement did not specify the amount that can be used by an adult in private use.</p>
<p>“This must be determined by parliament,” he said.</p>
<p>Parliament is now expected to amend the laws that criminalise cannabis following the court ruling.</p>
<p>Activists had argued that the criminalisation of dagga use and possession is a violation of the right to equality, dignity, and freedom of religion.</p>
<p>There was no immediate comment from the departments over the country’s top court ruling on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Reporting by James Macharia; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg</p>


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MG Health CEO on Africa’s role in the global cannabis economy

Africa’s first Cannabis Expo

OpEd: What employers need to know about cannabis in the workplace

#Marijuana now legal for private use in South Africa

South Africa’s ConCourt decriminalises the private use of marijuana, here’s why…

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MG Health CEO on Africa’s role in the global cannabis economy

Africa’s first Cannabis Expo

OpEd: What employers need to know about cannabis in the workplace

#Marijuana now legal for private use in South Africa

South Africa’s ConCourt decriminalises the private use of marijuana, here’s why…

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