When Myrtle Clarke and Julian Stobbs were arrested at their home in Lanseria for possession of, and dealing in, cannabis in 2010 they were faced with three options: bribe someone, accept their punishment without objection, or fight back.
They opted for the third choice and, in 2011, decided to sue seven South African government departments on charges of enacting unlawful laws, earning themselves the title: SA’s “dagga couple”.
The campaign grew into a pro-cannabis lobbyist organisation and in 2013, they registered Fields of Green for All, a non-profit organisation which campaigns for the legalisation of cannabis in SA.
After President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation (Sona) address earlier this month, we spoke to Clarke, MD of Fields of Green for All, to ask what her thoughts are on the president’s references to the cannabis industry’s ability to create jobs and provide innovation for SA’s economy.
In his Sona speech, Ramaphosa said the hemp and cannabis sector has the potential to create more than 130,000 new jobs. Do you think this is a reasonable figure?
No, that completely oversells the cannabis industry. You can’t talk about giving people jobs when you’re still arresting people [for dagga-related “crimes]. We see this all the time — the overselling of the cannabis industry without any regulation to accommodate anybody.
Why do you think this was chosen as a topic of inclusion in this year’s Sona when, as you say, the law is still targeting individuals?
It’s political posturing. On the ground, we’re seeing daily arrests, terrible corruption among the police and victimisation of our communities on the one hand, and then the president standing up and selling us all these jobs.
You can’t be talking about giving people jobs when you’re still arresting people
At the moment, the only people who’re enabled to participate in any sort of cannabis industry are those who have a lot of money.
And isn’t that what’s wrong with the world? Why can’t we take this thing, this gift that we have, and let this plant free? Instead, it has to be this protracted, expensive, corrupt, elitist system.
Actually, this is the third time the president has mentioned cannabis and in between we’ve had nothing but heartache and frustration. Changes in the cannabis industry must start at home, but the only place where we’re seeing a glimmer of hope is in the Eastern Cape. So, we’ve got private use. Now let’s move it into the communities, let’s move it into the cities and the provinces. Leave the centralised government out of it because they know nothing.
You mention the Eastern Cape specifically. What’s happening there at the moment?
They have a specific cannabis commission that’s meeting with both traditional leaders and experts. Fields of Green for All has put that committee in touch with our international experts. They’re looking at what’s happening on the ground.
They might not be able to provide any relief at the moment for the farmers who’re suffering, and they can’t get a good price for their crop, but that’s where I see the most communication — from the Eastern Cape government. So I think it’s hot air from our president. There’s a lot of nitty gritty that needs to be addressed.
When Ramaphosa speaks about bringing cannabis to market in new and innovative forms, what are some interesting uses for cannabis that you think we should tap into?
We should isolate the cannabinoids in the pharmaceutical sphere. The cannabis industry has, despite 100 years of prohibition, advanced with technology. There’s definitely space for everybody. We never say “big pharma are going to take over” — even though they are. There has to be a space for pharmaceuticals and I think that’s where this lies.
The politicians don’t want to think about the guy who’s selling the matchbox on the streets. It doesn’t shine, it’s not glittery. But when they’re talking about new technology regarding cannabis and new products, that sounds far more romantic.
Since your journey started in 2010, what’s been your biggest success and your biggest obstacle?
Our biggest success as Fields of Green for All has been keeping going for 11 years against all odds, and bringing out a few significant publications such as our manifesto that we published last April. We’ve spread our wings and had an influence all the way to the UN. We’re all proud of doing this with absolutely no funding.
Our biggest disappointment is not getting the evidence heard, because surely that’s what it’s all about.
What’s your message to the government?
Listen to us and stop forcing civil society to foot the bill, especially with the ongoing arrests. This country is traumatised enough without having the police coming to chuck you in jail. Stop this trauma and sit around the table with us. We’re reasonable, we’re intelligent. Just make the appointment.
• For more information on Fields of Green for All, visit fieldsofgreenforall.org.za.
