By Mduduzi Hlophe

MBABANE: Saladin Magagula, the Chairperson for the Eswatini Cannabis Association (ECA) says as a an association they welcome the United Nation’s (UN) new stance that seeks to legalise dagga.

According to a CNN report, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs has on Wednesday voted to remove cannabis from a list that categorized it as one of the most dangerous drugs, a move that recognises the plant as having medicinal value, the United States Congress, subsequently voted to decriminalize cannabis on Friday.

In an interview with this publication, Saladin Magagula, the ECA Chairperson said as organisation advocating for the legalisation of cannabis, they welcome the new global stance on dagga.

“We are very excited at these new developments, all is left now is for the country’s Legislature (parliament) to exert pressure on the Executive so that the plant may be legalised in the country. It’s now clear that the US could be our biggest trading partner since we produce the best cannabis in the world. This is likely to save our economy especially during this COVD 19 pandemic”, said the ECA chairperson.

When reached for comments, Dr Simon Zwane the Principal Secretary (PS) at the Ministry of Health said the Ministry  was already working towards the legalisation of dagga and the latest developments will not necessarily compel the country to act.

“You will recall that the Minister for Health piloted regulations to Parliament a while ago. A Select Committee of Parliament also worked on the regulations which unfortunately were not accepted by Parliament upon tabling. At the time Parliament directed the Minister to start afresh the process within a period of 6 months. The action taken by the WHO and other countries does not necessarily compel Eswatini to act. These may be used as benchmarks when deemed necessary”, said the health PS.