Importance of child protection clause in cannabis bill

Image source: Alexander Grey from Pexels

It follows on several developments, one of which was a recent Constitutional Court ruling. In Centre for Child Law v Director of Public Prosecutions, Johannesburg, the Constitutional Court confirmed, and suspended to 28 February 2024, an order of the High Court declaring that section 4(b) of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992 was inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid to the extent that it criminalises the use and/or possession of cannabis by a child. The suspension allows Parliament to finalise the necessary legislative reform.

The proposal is to insert a "protection of child" clause in the Bill, requiring that in all matters involving a child where the use, possession, cultivation of or dealing in cannabis is at issue, the best interests of the child must prevail in the legal response to any alleged transgression by, or involvement of, the child.

In addition, in all instances where a child is suspected of or alleged to have contravened legislation relating to cannabis, the child must be dealt with outside the criminal justice system, in terms of:

1. the Children’s Act 38 of 2005;

2. the Prevention of and Treatment from Substance Abuse Act, 70 of 2008; or
   
3. any other relevant legislation.
   

Amendments of Child Justice Act regulations approved

3 Jun 2022

The proposed "protection of child" clause also requires that a responsible adult (an adult in a position of authority, supervision or care of a child) possess or cultivate cannabis must take reasonable measures to ensure that cannabis is inaccessible to that child.

The Bill and the Working Document which contain the proposed "protection of child" clause (clause 3) can be accessed here.

Stakeholders and interested persons are invited to submit their written submissions by email to Mr V Ramaano at az.vog.tnemailrap@llibsibannac by no later than Friday, 13 October 2023.