The Southern Africa Litigation Centre is supporting a constitutional challenge to sections 156 and 155 of the Criminal Law Act and sections 3 and 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act. These sections criminalise the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by adults in the privacy of their homes.
The Applicant argues that the continued criminalisation of the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana for private purposes infringes on his right to privacy, equal protection and benefit of the law and psychological integrity. The challenge seeks to decriminalise the use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana by adults in the privacy of their homes rather than legalisation or commercialisation of marijuana. The matter falls within the campaign to decriminalise poverty and status.
The case is before the High Court in Harare, where a hearing occurred on 12 June 2023. The date for the judgement is yet to be announced.
The Applicants are represented by Scanlen & Holderness and Advocate Tererai Mafukidze. They are supported by the Southern Africa Litigation Centre
