Propaganja

Here's another view of the Capetown Million Marijuana March last weekend. The Pretoria News saw the numbers and the participants in a different light than organizer Andre du Plessis did but they both see the value in the agricultural and industrial use of the plant.

The emphasis on the narcotic qualities of a herb that for centuries has been a matter-of-fact feature of life in southern Africa, has obscured its economic potential as a source of oil, paper, fabrics, the ingredient for soaps and wax and - mixed with lime - as a cheap, strong brick.

Further the article illustrates the dynamic of prohibition fueled crime attached to a trade with a relentless demand and describes the benefits in great detail.

Du Plessis also found out that, if legalised, cannabis could take its place as a competitive product in the petrochemical, construction, paper, pulp and textile industries. Believing that dagga could significantly contribute to reducing the housing backlog, and generate jobs, he set out to share his findings, to spread, as he puts it, "propaganja". He was not well received.

This item on the march is my favorite and didn't make into the initial press account.

Ten helium balloons filled with hundreds of dagga seeds were released into the air. They were supposed to pop at altitude. But with the help of the wind, they ended up unspectacularly in Parliament's gardens. Du Plessis was not concerned. For him it was a sign that, one way or another, dagga would get government's attention.

I think it's an amazing omen myself and I'll bet there will be at least a few plants discretely tucked into the quiet corners of the government's grounds.