South Africa’s highest court has legalised the use of cannabis by adults in private places.
According to BBC News, pro-marijuana activists cheered in the public gallery and chanted “Weed are free now” when the Constitutional Court gave its landmark ruling.
In a unanimous ruling, judges also legalised the growing of marijuana for private consumption.
It will, however, remain illegal to use cannabis in public, and to sell and supply it.
South Africa’s government had opposed its legalisation, arguing the drug was “harmful” to people’s health. It has not yet commented on the ruling, which is binding.
The court gave parliament 24 months to change the law to reflect its ruling.
The court did not specify the quantity of cannabis a person can grow or use in private. Parliament would have to decide on this, it said.
