TBILISI -- Georgia's Constitutional Court has abolished administrative punishments for the consumption of marijuana, making the Caucasus country the first former Soviet republic to legalize usage of the drug.

The ruling by four senior court judges on July 30 concerns only the consumption of cannabis, while cultivation and selling remain a crime, the court said in its ruling.

It added that punishing a person for consuming cannabis would comply with the constitution only if consumption put a third party at risk.

"According to the applicants [Zurab Japaridze and Vakhtang Megrelishvili], the consumption of marijuana is not an act of social threat. In particular, it can only harm the user's health, making that user him/herself responsible for the outcome. The responsibility for such actions does not cause dangerous consequences for the public," the court said.

"The Constitutional Court highlights the imposition of responsibility of marijuana consumption when it creates a threat to third parties. For instance, the court will justify responsibility when marijuana is consumed in educational institutions, public places, such as on public transport, and in the presence of children,” it added.

The ruling was prompted by a lawsuit filed by activists of the opposition Girchi party.

"It can only harm the health of the consumer, who is responsible for the results of the action," the lawsuit read.

Japaridze told reporters the ruling was a victory for a freer Georgia.

"This wasn't a fight for cannabis. This was a fight for freedom," he said.

In late November, the Constitutional Court decriminalized use of marijuana or other forms of cannabis-based drugs but preserved administrative punishment, such as a fine, for marijuana use.

Before that, Georgia's Criminal Code defined repetitive use of marijuana and possession of more than 70 grams of dried cannabis as a crime for which individuals could face punishment that does not include imprisonment.

The Girchi party, which has led a drive to legalize marijuana since November 2016, said then that it will fight for complete decriminalization of marijuana in the country. </s> The Constitutional Court of Georgia has released a statement on the decision made today regarding the use of marijuana, effectively abolishing administrative punishment for the use of the drug.

"According to the applicants (Zurab Japaridze and Vakhtang Megrelishvili), the consumption of marijuana is not an act of social threat. In particular, it can only harm the users’ health, making that user him/herself responsible for the outcome. The responsibility for such actions does not cause dangerous consequences for the public."



The Constitutional Court of Georgia noted that permission to consume marijuana is an act of protection of the person's right to free development, and while prohibition of consumption of marijuana is an action directed against its turnover and therefore serves the legitimate aim of consumer protection of health, according to the Court, the role of an individual user in the support of marijuana circulation is very small, and consequently the threats from individual consumption are likewise small. Due to the above, the punishment for consumption of marijuana is disproportionate.”

The court takes into account certain exceptions for today's decision in cases when the use of marijuana creates threats to third parties.

"In addition, the Constitutional Court highlights the imposition of responsibility of marijuana consumption when it creates a threat to third parties. For instance, the Court will justify responsibility when marijuana is consumed in educational institutions, public places, such as on public transport, and in the presence of children”, stated the Court.

Zurab Japaridze congratulated everyone on the decision made today on July 30, 2018.

"I would like to congratulate everybody on the decision made by the Constitutional Court. Through this decision, Georgia became a freer country. Administrative punishment for consumption of marijuana was revoked by the Constitutional Court, which means that consumption of marijuana in Georgia is now legal," said Japaridze.

He noted that it is the duty of individuals to go about the use of marijuana in a responsible manner, keeping other smoking legislations and laws under consideration, as these will still apply.

By Shawn Wayne

30 July 2018 16:31 </s> "The Constitutional Court noted that the use of marijuana represents the right to person's free development… according to the court, the individual consumption of marijuana plays a very weak role in facilitating its [marijuana] circulation," the ruling, which came into force immediately, read.

The ruling concerns only the consumption of cannabis while cultivation, storage, and selling remain a crime.

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Weed consumption became legal in Georgia last year, as the constitutional court only with administrative fines as the only punishment for its use, however, activists demanded those penalties to be removed. </s> South Africa's highest court on Tuesday allowed the private use of marijuana, upholding a lower court's ruling that found the criminalization of cannabis was unconstitutional.

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's highest court on Tuesday allowed the private use of marijuana, upholding a lower court's ruling that found the criminalization of cannabis was unconstitutional.

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.

Several government departments, including the health and justice ministries, oppose its legalization and warn of harmful effects.

But in a unanimous judgment read by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, the Constitutional Court decriminalized 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.

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.

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.

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.

However, the judgement did not specify the amount that can be used by an adult in private use.

"This must be determined by parliament," he said.

Parliament is now expected to amend the laws that criminalize cannabis following the court ruling.

Activists had argued that the criminalization of dagga use and possession is a violation of the right to equality, dignity, and freedom of religion.

There was no immediate comment from the departments over the country's top court ruling on Tuesday. </s> CHICAGO (WLS) -- A historic morning in Illinois as Governor Pritzker upholds his campaign promise, signing recreational marijuana, or the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act (CRTA) into law That means anyone 21 and over will soon be able to purchase and possess marijuana.Supporters say it will be a game-changer for revenue in the state, while opponents say it makes the state more dangerous.Tuesday morning, the governor put pen to paper here in the Austin neighborhood, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and its commercial sale in the state."As the first state in the nation to fully legalize adult-use cannabis through the legislative process, Illinois exemplifies the best of democracy: a bipartisan and deep commitment to better the lives of all of our people," said Gov. JB Pritzker. "Legalizing adult-use cannabis brings an important and overdue change to our state, and it's the right thing to do. This legislation will clear the cannabis-related records of nonviolent offenders through an efficient combination of automatic expungement, gubernatorial pardon and individual court action. I'm so proud that our state is leading with equity and justice in its approach to cannabis legalization and its regulatory framework. Because of the work of the people here today and so many more all across our state, Illinois is moving forward with empathy and hope."The Democratic-controlled general assembly overwhelmingly approved the bill last month.The bill makes Illinois the 11th state to legalize cannabis and the second to legalize the cannabis possession through the legislative process. The signing of the bill also makes Illinois the first to legalize retail sales legislatively."My office is proud to have helped develop this historic legislation, which will provide conviction relief to hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents in the most extensive and equitable way possible," said Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. "The time for justice is now, especially for communities of color who have long been disproportionately impacted by low-level cannabis convictions and the failed war on drugs. We look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure the broadest relief possible under this revolutionary law."Starting in the New Year, Illinois residents 21 and older will be able to purchase up to 30 grams of cannabis flower, edibles totaling no more than 500mg of THC and five grams of cannabis concentrate products. Non-residents can purchase half those amounts.People will not be allowed to grow their own pot plants unless they are medical marijuana patients.People who have been convicted of some low-level marijuana crimes could be also be pardoned, but that's only if those convictions are not linked to a violent crime.Pritzker hoping this new law will end part of the war on drugs that led to thousands of arrests and low level drug convictions.The overview of the bill is said to create a $30 million low-interest loan program, social equity applicant status for licensing, and expunge roughly 700,000 records.Lawmakers said revenue from the state's marijuana industry will be re-invested in communities that have been hit hard by the war on drugs.Opponents, however, believe legalization will only lead to increased addiction, drivers who are high and overdoses.Illinois has already decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana but the federal ban remains in place.Opponents said they're talking to federal law enforcement officials and attorneys to determine their next steps. </s> South Africa’s highest court has legalised the use of cannabis by adults in private places.

Pro-marijuana activists cheered in the public gallery and chanted “Weed are free now” when the Constitutional Court gave its landmark ruling.

In a unanimous ruling, judges also legalised the growing of marijuana for private consumption.

South Africa’s government’s had opposed its legalisation, arguing the drug was “harmful” to people’s the health.

It has not yet commented on the ruling, which is binding.

In April Zimbabwe became the second country in Africa, after Lesotho, to legalise the use of marijuana for medical use.

Three South African cannabis users who had faced prosecution for using cannabis brought the case, saying the ban “intrudes unjustifiably into their private spheres”.

In his judgment, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said: “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.”

The judges did not specify the quantity of cannabis a person can use or have in private.

It will, however, remain illegal to use cannabis in public, and to sell and supply it.

The Cannabis Development Council of South Africa welcomed the ruling, and called on the government to drop charges against people found in possession of the drug.

Jeremy Acton, the leader of the Dagga Party, which campaigns for the use of cannabis, said the ruling should have gone further to legalise the carrying of marijuana in public.

Cannabis is referred to as “dagga” in South Africa.

The court gave parliament 24 months to change the law to reflect its ruling.

Adults who used marijuana in private would be protected by the ruling until the law was amended.

The court did not specify the quantity of cannabis a person can grow or use in private.

Parliament would have to decide on this, it said.(BBC) </s> In the west, Africa is perceived non-progressive and conservative, but South Africa might be on the verge of further changing that narrative.

First, South Africa was the fifth country — the first (and only, as of August 2017) in Africa, the first in the southern hemisphere, the first republic — and the second outside Europe to legalize same-sex marriage through its Civil Union Act of 2006. Now, it has taken a step towards legalizing the use of Marijuana.

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South Africa’s apex court unanimously upheld a ruling from a lower court and called banning of the drug, “unconstitutional and therefore invalid,” following in the steps of Lesotho and Zimbabwe which both legalized cannabis for medical use.

The right is however only available to adults — presumably over 18-years old — to also grow cannabis and use the drug in private — meaning their homes and never in public.

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Underlining the decision, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo wrote in his judgment that, “It will not be a criminal offense for an adult person to use or be in possession of cannabis in private for his or her personal consumption.”

The South African government had previously rejected the legalization of, ‘dagga,’ Zulu name for cannabis, considering it harmful to health and mental health.

The Court has given the parliament 24 months to adopt the ruling and turn it into Law as well as determine the legal quantity. However, public consumption and trading of cannabis are still outlawed.

This is interesting and it comes after doctors confirmed that cannabis consumption kills cancer cells. </s> JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Cabinet voted to decriminalize recreational use of marijuana.

The cabinet voted on the policy at its regular meeting on Sunday.

An inter-ministerial committee will now create legislation in order to implement the new policy, which still must be ratified by the Knesset. Thecommittee will present its recommendations to the government by May 7.

The proposal was submitted by Minister for Public Security Gilad Erdan of the Likud Party and Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked of the Jewish Home Party.

“The government’s approval is an important step on the way to implement the new policy, which will emphasize public information and treatment instead of criminal enforcement,” Erdan said.

Under the proposed policy, first-time offenders in possession of up to 15 grams and smoking publicly would be fined and not receive a criminal record. The fines would continue, doubled, until the fourth offense, when the possessor of the marijuana can be indicted. First-time minor offenders would be referred to a treatment program.

Prior to the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “This must be done cautiously and in a controlled manner. On the one hand, we are open to the future. On the other, we also understand the dangers and we will try to balance between the two.

Using marijuana for medical purposes is legal in Israel. About 25,000 people have a license to use marijuana for medicinal purposes in Israel

Last summer, the government approved a plan to increase the number of doctors who can write prescriptions for medical cannabis, remove limits on the number of marijuana growers, make cannabis available at public pharmacies, and make it possible to receive medical cannabis with just a doctor’s prescription. </s> South Africa's highest court has legalised the use of cannabis by adults in private places.

Pro-marijuana activists cheered in the public gallery and chanted "Weed are free now" when the Constitutional Court gave its landmark ruling.

In a unanimous ruling, judges also legalised the growing of marijuana for private consumption.

South Africa's government's had opposed its legalisation, arguing the drug was "harmful" to people's the health.

Three cannabis users who had faced prosecution for using cannabis brought the case, saying the ban "intrudes unjustifiably into their private spheres".
• Africa Live: More on this and others from the continent
• Cannabis: What are the risks of recreational use?

In his judgement, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said: "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."

It will, however, remain illegal to use cannabis in public, and to sell and supply it.

The Cannabis Development Council of South Africa welcomed the ruling, and called on the government to drop charges against people found in possession of the drug.

Jeremy Acton, the leader of the Dagga Party, which campaigns for the use of cannabis, said the ruling should have gone further to legalise the carrying of marijuana in public.

Cannabis is referred to as "dagga" in South Africa.
Following a campaign led by Georgian politician Zurab Japaridze, the Constitutional Court of Georgia legalizes cannabis for recreational use. Georgia is the first former Soviet Republic to fully legalize the drug, with it also being decriminalized in Russia, Ukraine and Estonia.