Some 200 people Saturday marched on South Africa's parliament house in Cape Town to call for the legalisation of cannabis and released ten balloons containing cannabis seeds to drive home their message.
Andre du Plessis, the main organiser, was upbeat about the demonstration, despite the poor showing -- he had earlier said about 600 people would participate in the event.
"We were washed out by the rain," he said. "But I am sure that in my lifetime, cannabis will be legalised in South Africa."
Du Plessis said the ten balloons released by the demonstrators "landed in parliament," which he interpreted as a prophetic sign.
The demonstrators carried banners such as "Legalise cannabis," "Cannabis can Save the Planet and "Legalise cannabis for Petrol, Food and Fuel."
The marchers said cannabis had a variety of uses including improved medicines and even low-cost housing.
"These houses can be built with bricks made out of the stalk of the hemp mixed with lime and sand. The houses will be thermal with great insulation," Du Plessis said.
"My research shows that we can deliver a 82 square metre (882 square foot) house for 15,000 rand (2,188 dollars, 1,830 euros) which is three times the size of a house which is being currently built using conventional methods," he said.
"But the most interesting information is that it can help in fighting cancer tumours ... and lead to remission in various parts of the body but most importantly in the brain," he added.
Du Plessis said there would be similar marches in other countries Saturday, organised under the umbrella of three organisations – Million Marijuana March, Cannabis Culture and Cures Not Wars.
– AFP - GMAX
