The Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, tabled in parliament on 1 September, provides clarity around the growing and private use of cannabis in South Africa. While the bill can be seen as the first step in a revised, progressive approach to cannabis in the country, the proposed legislation also throws up a number of red flags, says law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. “The focus remains on restricting access to, and the use of, cannabis against the threat of rather severe lega

The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) latest World Drug Report for 2020 reveals the latest trends in global drug use – including the impact of Covid-19. The data covers the latest available year (2018) and includes all member nations of the UN. According to the group, around 269 million people used drugs worldwide in 2018 – 30% more than in 2009 – while over 35 million people suffer from drug use disorders. Cannabis was the most used substance globally in 201