Tito Mboweni to put dagga on Cabinet agenda
The Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, has caused another stir on social media.
On Thursday, Mboweni Tweeted a picture of a dagga plant he found on his farm, asking South Africans' opinions about the legalisation of the plant.
"I found this growing at the Farm! Cut it down or allow it to grow? How did it get here? Should we just legalize this thing once and for all? I can see the responses!! Say it!!"
In a subsequent post, he Tweeted pictures of more dagga plants on his neighbour's property, and eventually Tweeted: "On this one, the majority says: LEGALIZE IT!! I will put the proposal to legalize it at the Cabinet Lekgotla this January. The People have demanded it."
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I found this growing at the Farm! Cut it down or allow it to grow? How did it get here? Should we just legalize this thing once and for all? I can see the responses!! Say it!! pic.twitter.com/voTFg67sXB
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 9, 2020
My neighbor found this thing too! The soil is ready in Makgobaskloof to grow it LEGALLY!! The economy of Lusikisiki and Tzaneen is waiting for legal growth of the stuff!! R4bn plus!! Tax money!! pic.twitter.com/6OxJgaajGg
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 9, 2020
On this one, the majority says: LEGALIZE IT!! I will put the proposal to legalize it at the Cabinet Lekgotla this January. The People have demanded it. But those medical doctors🙈🙈. 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/WGC78wsByC
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 9, 2020
According to Mboweni, his farm's soil is well-suited to cultivating dagga plants, and local economies would benefit from it.
"R4bn plus!! Tax money!! Tweeted the Minister.
Mboweni is no stranger to controversy on social media, having "broken up" with Twitter before.
Last year, on the eve of his medium-term budget policy statement, he said he would be leaving Twitter, although he seems to be back with a vengeance.
ALSO READ: Tito Mboweni breaks up with 'abusive' Twitter on eve of Budget statement
Mboweni will again shortly be delivering his budge in Parliament with this weekend's January 8 statement expected to set the tone for that speech.
It’s about time good sir. Please legalize it for the sake of our people that depend on it for both medical and recreational purposes. It’s a powerful plant that brings people together from all sectors of life. She does not discriminate but promotes a healthier lifestyle for all. pic.twitter.com/osrnCBpvyi
— Ahmed Allijan (@RueSami) January 9, 2020
While we're debating other countries are working. We're an endless debating nation, no action even if economic and health evidence shows that marijuana industry creates jobs, healthy add value to the economy, we are still talking about legality. What's wrong with legalising it?⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QhsIXTZ7ff
— Phumlani (@Phumlan_Mabaso) January 9, 2020