By Lloyd Takawira
An artist Givemore Gwenukwenu (39) of Marondera Cherutombo’s surburb was sentenced to three years in jail for growing marijuana .
Marondera Magistrate, Elisha Singana said , “the accused Gwenukwenu contravened section 157 of the Criminal Law Codification Act by unlawful possessing dangerous drugs” .
Gwenukwenu pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years of which one year was suspended and will serve an effective three years in prison.
It is the state case that , Gwenukwenu (39) who is also an artist was arrested by members of the CID Drug Section, Unit after a tip-off from members of the public to the effect that he was cultivating marijuana at his residence.
Thirty four (34) plants of the drug with an average height of 160 centimetres were found in his yard.
The plants were taken by the police and were used in court as exhibit.
In April 2018 the government of Zimbabwe legalised the production of cannabis (mbanje or dagga) for medicinal or scientific purposes .
However for one to grow the marijuana plant one has to be licensed and go through a number of astringent laws.