Opinion & Analysis

UDC should foster social justice and equity in cannabis policy!

Cannabis. PIC INTERNET Cannabis. PIC INTERNET
Cannabis. PIC INTERNET

 There is now a marked change in direction globally towards various forms of legalization, ranging from pilot periods of legalized use of cannabis for medical purposes to outright legalization of personal recreational use. The United States (not all states) and Canada currently lead the global market by some distance, but with its population and economic strength, Europe is projected to dwarf these markets by a significant distance as soon as 2028 with a value of €123 billion (2023 EU Drug Markets Analysis). Against the backdrop of a thriving and increasingly complex industry in North America and other countries across the Atlantic, Botswana government led by UDC has also begun to explore the history of the cannabis industry for the benefit of the country`s economy and is already in the process of assessing the regulation of a legal cannabis industry in Botswana with the aim to come with laws that evolve away from blanket prohibition. What is the Cannabis industry? The use of hemp for industrial applications is well documented, going back 3,000 years to the Vikings who used hemp as a material for their tapestries. Cannabis sativa has been used for textiles, paper, the sails, nets, ropes and other industrial applications.

The first copies of the Gutenberg bibles were printed on paper made from hemp fibers.  The plant has been traditionally used for therapeutic properties and for treating various ailments. What's more, Christopher Columbus' fleet of ships typically relied on sails, nets and ropes made of hemp, partly since it does not rot or go moldy when damp (dw.com in focus). Most if not all of the national currencies are printed on paper made of hemp because of its durability. Some value it so highly, that April 20 has been deemed 'World Cannabis Day.' Cannabis is motokwane: Cannabis is a collective noun covering both hemp (‘majaja’ in Setswana vernacular) and marijuana (‘motokwane’ in Setswana vernacular). These plants are both the same species (cannabis sativa) but the threshold of 0.3% THC (the psychoactive substance) distinguishes hemp (majaja) from marijuana (motokwane).  Because cannabis can have a relaxing effect on some users, and it's often used for its calming and sleep-inducing properties, oral history in Southern Africa has it that the naming of the plant was originally “Motho-kwana” from amongst Basotho, which through passage of time the name evolved to be pronounced as “Motokwane” in Botswana. This was as a result of the psychological and physical effects of cannabis which can make some people tired or relaxed. Thus, cannabis is ascribed the name “motokwane” because it is considered a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen. Hence, for UDC leadership to be shy of unapologetically acknowledging cannabis sativa as motokwane in fear of public opinion, or the societal backlash due to the stigma attached to the name – “motokwane”, is the display of colonial conquerors` brainwashing thinking!

Diversity for social equity in the cannabis industry: Real Alternative Party appreciates the rich history and cultural significance of cannabis, and celebrate its profound influence on human culture and embrace its promising future. Cannabis legalisation is an encouraging development, but more must be done to address systemic inequity and discrimination in the cannabis industry and its impact on disadvantaged communities. UDC government can work towards leveling the play - field by incorporating ‘classless’ – market participation, through: creating a Social Equity Commission or Office charged with promoting the full participation in the industry by individuals from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by prohibition i.e. (the people who went to prison, who had to run up and down from police and police helicopters, including those who cannot afford financially to get involved in the medical ganja industry). Duties of social equity commission could include: developing social equity programs to promote social equity and reinvest in the legal cannabis economy, including ownership, management, and employment; and promoting investment in equity applicants by allowing investors to invest in more businesses if they meet criteria as equity applicants, which would include considerations of native ownership; and investigating whether businesses are adhering to approved plans for diversity and community investment and taking appropriate actions if they are not, such as revoking or suspending licenses.

Community reinvestment: Given that regulation over the sale of cannabis can generate huge tax revenues, RAP lobbies UDC government to establish a community reinvestment fund and dedicate 40% of the tax revenue to the ‘Botswana Community Reinvestment Grant Fund.’ Through this fund, qualified community-based nonprofit organisations and non – governmental organisations should be eligible to apply for funding to support several different community revitalization efforts, including, but not limited for: behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, effective rehabilitative treatment for adults and juveniles, economic development, environmental conservation and to further support the social and economic equity program, furthering participation of equity applicants in the cannabis industry.

Cannabis and spirituality: From its ancient uses as a medicinal and spiritual plant to its current status as a recreational substance and burgeoning industry, the origins of cannabis are intertwined with human culture across continents. The ancient practices that incorporated cannabis into religious rituals and meditations, and delves into the modern resurgence of interest in its potential for spiritual exploration include for example; Hinduism, which associate cannabis with the god Shiva and its use in certain rituals; the Rastafari community recognise it as their sacred plant; the Khoi-San have developed special ties with the plant; Basotho communities traditionally utilize it to facilitate childbirth and for soothing menstrual cramps; Afrikaners use it as recipes for teas and foods; Tswana traditional doctors prescribe it for asthma patients including the associated medical skills and know-hows. Thus the captivating story of weed has enduring influence on humanity. Thus considering the age old tradition of using cannabis for worshipping gods and goddesses and also for personal pleasure/recreational use, RAP is lobbying the UDC government to resolve the doctrinal clash of religious freedom and the criminal law in favour of religion. This dilemma could be addressed through practically framing a statutory exemption in the Botswana`s domestic anti-drugs legislation (Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act, 2018) for purposes of religious manifestation, spiritual companion, artistic muse, and social lubricant, rather than a demonised vice.

RAP further urges the UDC government to formulate official ‘Policy of Tolerance’ (like in The Netherlands) to establish cannabis coffee shops in Botswana where the sale of cannabis for personal consumption is to be tolerated by the local authorities. Under the drug policy of the Netherlands, the sale of cannabis products in small quantities is allowed by 'licensed' coffee shops. If these shops are found selling hard drugs or high level of alcohol or to minors their license will be cancelled and they would suffer a closure (EMCDDA: National report 2007: Netherlands). Correcting the harms of cannabis prohibition: Studies across the world show that moderate consumption of marijuana is far less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. It therefore, makes little sense to uphold the ban on its recreational use. Of course, excessive consumption of marijuana can be detrimental. But that's also true of alcohol - banning which is seen, rightly, as impractical. If tobacco and alcohol can be sold over the counter and consumers expected to use their discretion regarding their use, there is no reason why the same policy cannot be adopted for marijuana. Besides, the benefits of medical marijuana are widely acknowledged, which bolsters its credentials as a mild drug. Building upon the marijuana decriminalisation legislation to be signed by UDC Government, RAP is calling for the expungement of any marijuana conviction for conduct which is now legal under the law and for removing provisions that have routinely been used to over-police and criminalize communities and people. Additionally, considering that legalizing marijuana will aid as an extra income for the newly licensed distributes and sellers, RAP calls for the promulgation of ‘home – grow’ cannabis regulations which will allow Botswana citizens over 21 years old to grow their own cannabis at their personal residence. The ‘home-grow’ regulations should allow a number of plants per household for commercial harvest/ trade. Failure to realize this whilst rushing the “cannabis legalisation industry” would be to reproduce discriminatory class inequities. This would amount to taking the burgeoning business cannabis industry out of the hands of the traditional ganja farmers and small traders and place it in the hands of rich people by UDC government.

Where cannabis may cause harm: Despite changes in perception about cannabis and the decreasing perception of harm, the risks of its use must not be understated. Cannabis use is associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including increased incidence of addiction and comorbid substance use; suicidality, and new-onset psychosis. Beyond psychiatric symptoms, clinical trials have found convincing evidence between cannabis and negative effects on memory, verbal cognition and visual recall, the studies show. Therefore publics with specific target to adolescents and young adults in particular, should be sensitized and be given adequate information to be made aware that cannabis can have detrimental effects on their mental health. Adolescents and young people should be discouraged and barred from indulging in recreational cannabis! Gaontebale Mokgosi Real Alternative Party Brother chairman