The Constitutional Court recently ruled that adults are allowed to cultivate and consume cannabis in private, while the use of cannabis in public, and the purchasing, selling or dealing in it, remains illegal.

The Constitutional Court has given Parliament a period of 24 months to correct constitutional defects in legislation which criminalised the use, possession and cultivation of cannabis.

The University of Pretoria has noted the judgment, and will monitor how Parliament proceeds with regards to implementing it. It will thereafter determine how any new legislation and regulations impact upon its policies. In the interim, the University reminds its students that the rules as specified in the University’s Student Disciplinary Code remain in place. The University’s authority to command and to impose discipline on students stems from the Student Disciplinary Code, as well as the student contract it has with each individual student. As such, UP issues the following guidelines:

• No student may cultivate, consume, distribute, purchase, sell, or have in his/her possession cannabis while present on University or University-controlled premises or at a University-related function or activity at any location or in circumstances where he or she represents or is seen to represent the University, or is otherwise identified as a student of the University.
• Any use of cannabis in whatever form or manner for recreational purposes or for any other purpose on University or University-controlled premises is strictly prohibited. 
• University students are prohibited from the use, selling, purchasing, possession and cultivation of cannabis on campus, at the University’s residences or University-controlled premises.
• Students found to have contravened the Code or who are non-compliant with the rules of the University may be charged with misconduct in accordance with the applicable Code.

Every student is required to familiarise him/herself with all relevant procedures, regulations, rules and instructions of the University. Ignorance of the procedures, regulations, rules and instructions will not be accepted as an excuse in the case of transgressions.