An Eastern Cape dagga cultivator has entered his dagga plants at the traditional annual Bathurst Agricultural Show.
The much-celebrated farmers’ show, which runs from Thursday to Friday and draws 20,000 visitors, is officially in its 111th edition, even though its history goes back 115 years to 1904.
On Wednesday, Chris Jay, 40, who lives outside Bathurst, entered his plants in the novelty fruits and culinary herbs categories. Wednesday was the closing date for entries.
Jay said: “Due to the constitutional court ruling last year by Jeremy Action and Gareth Prince, I decided to enter my cannabis plants into the 111th Bathurst Agricultural Show.
“Cannabis is one of the oldest agricultural plants known to man, so why not enter it, after all it may be entered into many of the categories such as fruit, herb or even as a vegetable.”
Organiser Douglas Devine said it was the first time dagga had been included in the event.
“The plant is legalised because it has health and medicinal benefits and its oil can be extracted for other useful things like furniture making.”
Devine, who termed the event the “National Arts Festival of Farmers”, said 220 stalls had been registered and thousands of works would be on display.
“These include children's and adult’s arts pieces, home décor etc.”
The event offers a complete family experience with three day of fanfare, a beer garden and plenty of foodstalls.J ay said he did public relations work for cannabis companies in the USA, Australia and SA.
“There won't be smoking or dealing in cannabis at the show. This is a natural God-created plant just like a tomato tree.
“I would like to raise awareness about the many uses of cannabis, especially now that across the globe we are seeing laws being broadened and liberated regarding cannabis.
“It’s time we start using cannabis for its thousands of uses, especially farmers who can really benefit from growing cannabis,” he said.
Jay believed legalising cannabis was just the beginning and that one day it would be grown side by side with tomatoes and mint, its natural companion.
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