Johannesburg opens its first coffeeshop

South Africa was recently forced to suspend the ban on personal use of dagga—the local name for cannabis—after the High Court of Justice ruled that its The ban was unconstitutional. And even though it has never been hard to find cannabis in Joburg, the first «official» coffeeshop recently opened its doors, quietly.

The outward signs are clear enough for those who look for them, and vague enough that their critics don’t notice them. For while the High Court has ruled in favor of the use and cultivation of cannabis for personal use, Parliament must still amend the current law to implement the decision.

In addition, several cases related to the medical use of cannabis are currently pending, including the well-known « Dagga Couple«, Jules Stobbs and Myrtle Clarke, who are fighting for their unrestricted right to use cannabis.

Frank, the café owner, opened his business last month. He’s clearly taking the risk of having his business shut down, but he was tired of having to hide and wait for the laws to catch up with the reality on the ground.

In the first month, more than 1,300 customers came to visit him. «People are just looking for a place where they can smoke—somewhere safe, peaceful, and social,» says Frank.

The weed is listed on a menu and starts at around 11€ per gram, going up to 50€ for dabs. Oil cartridges are also available, as well as space muffins. The edibles They work so well that Franck jokes that he should open a bakery right there.

«I have people from all walks of life here,» says Frank. His clients include a judge, politicians, and traders. But there are also students, executives, and patients seeking relief from their ailments.

«South Africans have needed a cannabis café for years. This café is just the beginning,» explains Frank, who is already thinking about opening a second one.

The café's address is pretty easy to find, since the South African Dagga Party is sharing it widely: