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Legalise dagga to fund NHI – former DA leader

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Dagga.Picture: GEtty Images/iStock photo
Dagga.Picture: GEtty Images/iStock photo

A party led a former Democratic Alliance councillor in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, has called for dagga to be legalised and the possible tax flowing from that to be used to fund the National Health Insurance.

The Sekhukhune Congress, formed by former DA councillor in Fetakgomo Municipality and provincial leader candidate, Derick Mosoana, resolved over the weekend during its executive meeting to lobby for the legalisation of dagga.

“This naturally grown African herb with minimum negative effects has been criminalised in our country for ultra conservative reasons benefiting the colourless monopoly capital. Should the government heed this noble call South Africa will witness not only a massive drop in premature arrest and prison costs but will also allow police resources to be redirected where they are needed most, combatting crime and protecting women, children,” Mosoana said.

Mosoana, who is also a pastor at the local church, said the “God-given herb” had the potential to grow the economy and create stable jobs.

“The party will, as part of this campaign, rubbish myths and propaganda spread by anti-marijuana lobbyists who have direct profit benefits in alcohol/tobacco businesses – which cause more deaths than any civil war ever witnessed. We will also advise the minister of health on the possible use of tax received from this initiative to fund the National Health Insurance [NHI] scheme,” he added.

The NHI white paper was released recently and industry experts have been scratching their heads about how it can be sufficiently funded. According to them, the paper lacked details on where the money will come from.

Neil Kirby, a director and head of healthcare and life sciences practice at Werksmans Attorneys, said last week that the actual financing of the NHI was not clearly set out in the white paper but the department of health had made provisions via an advisory committee to fill in the gaps.


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