Namibia Cannabis Activists Seek Political Path After Legal Setbacks

Ganja Users of Namibia (GUN) is preparing to shift its cannabis reform campaign from the courtroom to the political arena, with plans to establish the Ganja Users of Namibia Party (GUNP). The initiative, led by GUN president Brian Jaftha, aims to transform years of protests, petitions, and legal challenges into formal political representation.

Ganja Users of Namibia Plans Transition From Advocacy to Elections

Jaftha has presented the proposed party as a platform that would bring cannabis reform issues into Parliament while connecting them with broader proposals involving employment, agriculture, hemp production, and individual freedoms. However, the project remains in its early stages and has not yet become an officially registered political organization.

According to Namibia’s Electoral Commission public registry, GUNP is not among the 25 recognized political parties currently listed. As a result, the movement cannot yet participate in elections or be considered a formally established party. For now, it represents an effort to convert a long-running social campaign into an electoral movement.

The decision to pursue politics follows another setback in the group’s legal efforts. In July, the Windhoek High Court dismissed a case brought by Jaftha and GUN Secretary General Borro Ndungula challenging Namibia’s ban on adult cannabis possession and use.

Court Ruling Pushes Movement Toward Electoral Strategy

Judge Claudia Claasen ruled that the court’s intervention was premature because Namibian authorities are already reviewing the country’s cannabis legislation. She stated that decisions regarding legalization or maintaining the current restrictions primarily belong to the Executive and Parliament due to the wider implications for public health, criminal justice, and social policy.

The ruling accepted a preliminary objection from the State but did not determine whether the cannabis ban was constitutional or address all claims raised by the applicants. Since 2021, Jaftha and Ndungula have argued that existing regulations violate rights, including equality and religious freedom, particularly affecting members of the Rastafari community.

The failed legal challenge has encouraged GUN to explore a new route. Rather than relying only on courts and public demonstrations, the organization now wants to seek representation through Namibia’s political system.

The move comes as cannabis policies continue to evolve across the region. South Africa has recognized private cannabis cultivation and consumption, leading to ongoing discussions over regulation, community rights, and participation in the developing cannabis sector.

For GUNP to become an electoral force, the proposed party must complete registration, establish a national organizational structure, and prove that its cannabis-focused origins can attract wider public support.

After years of activism through marches, petitions, and legal proceedings, Ganja Users of Namibia is now attempting a new strategy: taking its campaign directly to voters.

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(Featured image by Kindel Media via Pexels)

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First published in CANAMO. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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