Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma says he was touched by IFP Member of Parliament, Mario Oriani-Ambrosini’s impassioned plea, to have marijuana decriminalised.
Responding to a debate on his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, President Zuma said government was looking into Oriani-Ambrosini’s call made during the SONA debate in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Oriani-Ambrosini, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer last year, had on Wednesday made a plea to President Zuma to look into having the use of marijuana for medical reasons decriminalised. He said he had not used the drug illegally.
President Zuma said: “I was touched to see the man I have known and worked with for more than 20 years in this condition. I have asked the Minister of Health to look into this matter,” he said.
Oriani-Ambrosini, who had made the plea in his speech during the debate on President Zuma’s SONA, left the Parliamentary sitting speechless and prompted a standing ovation.
Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu had said: “Mr Ambrosini, I have worked with you for many years and it hurts me to see you in the state that you are in. I had a word, as you were speaking, with the Minister of Health and he indicates to me we are really keen to follow up on the discussion and research around the world on the issue of the potential of decriminalising medical marijuana. We are a caring society.”
Oriani-Ambrosini is expected to table a motion for a bill to support his cause in Parliament soon. – SAnews.gov.za
