As an old hippy myself, I’m all in favour of legalising dagga, the mind-altering weed that grows widely – and wildly – in South Africa. Also known as cannabis, marijuana or pot, the drug has research to support efficacy and safety of compounds it contains for pain control,  neurological diseases such as epilepsy, and to treat cachexia, a wasting syndrome in cancer, HIV/Aids and TB patients. In a recent post on Biznews, High times for dagga as medicine: fears go up in smoke!, I looked at the debate on dagga as one way to destroy the illegal market, and maximise benefits and minimise harms from medicinal and recreational use.

Judge Dennis Davis suggested the applicants approach expert witnesses to bolster their case.

A lawyer who has been fighting for over a decade to have marijuana legalised, is back in court. Video: eNCA

CAPE TOWN - A lawyer is promising to continue his 'dagga campaign' -- Gareth Prince is fighting to get marijuana legalised.

He says the law is riddled with inconsistencies. But on Monday, a judge questioned that claim, saying Prince should have done his homework.

A Constitutional Court application by Prince and 18 others failed in 2002. Now they're back in the Western Cape High Court.

The group wants the court to declare certain parts of the law dealing with dagga invalid. 

Court bid to decriminalise use of cannabis and allow recreational use.

SA’s newest idol is the talk of the town, a court case seeks to legalise dagga and a former SANparks fundraiser has to pay back the money.

True to its title, this book is a quick, accessible read, but it is also packed with interesting historical information about dagga in its local and global contexts. It is also a timeous book. The world is abuzz with dagga (excuse the puns, they seem inevitable with this topic): it’s being decriminalised and legalised all over. South Africa has a “Dagga Couple” – Myrtle Clarke and Jules Stobbs – who are challenging the constitutionality of our laws against cannabis. Dagga, in other words, is in the air, becoming mainstream, like beer.

WELKOM - A father and son have been arrested after a hydroponic dagga lab was discovered in Riebeeckstad on Friday.

Thabong police crime intelligence and Welkom K9 unit officers received a tip-off  on Friday morning about a drug laboratory in a house in Riebeeckstad, spokesman Captain Stephen Thakeng said in a statement.

Officers went to the house in Jason Street and requested permission to search the premises. They discovered  “high-grade” hydroponic dagga laboratory inside a back room in the house. Processed dagga was found in the son’s room and under a tree in the backyard.

Johannesburg - The so-called "dagga couple" are asking people to take a deep breath and help raise funds to bring international experts to testify in a possible landmark case on laws relating to the plant. 

Julian Stobbs and Myrtle Clarke are looking to reach an $80 000 (R1.1m) goal on theIndiegogo platform to bring cannabis experts to testify in what they call the "Trial of the Plant" at the High Court in Pretoria in March next year. 

More than $4 000 (R55 280) had been raised by Friday evening, four days after the couple started the campaign, and there were only 39 days left to raise the amount. 

Health Minister Howard Quayle was quizzed in the House of Keys overs whether he would support the use of cannabis or cannabis derivatives for medical use.

Replying to the question from Lib Van leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South), Mr Quayle said: ‘The department will consider supporting the use of any medication, irrespective of its origin, that has a proven evidential basis.

‘A number of preparations derived from cannabis are undergoing clinical trials and some already have product licences as prescription-only medicines for specific conditions. There are no plans to support the introduction of unlicensed unproven medications.’

From Singapore: “Try wearing clothes that are marijuana related e.g. pictures of weed leaves etc.”

From Cape Town, South Africa: “I bought one bankie, and was caught by police. . . . African prisons SUX!!! So stay away from them.”

From Baghdad, Iraq: “Go up to most any civilian military contractor, at a good time, and just ask!”

For those who enjoy sampling the local grass as much as other travelers seek out regional wines or craft beers, the world has many welcoming corners.