‘Cannabis was for my consumption’

MULENGA MUSONDA writes@SunZambian A LOAN Clerk of a named Financial Institution told the Choma Magistrates Court that the one ball of Marijuana he was found with was for smoking.In this matter 28 years old Joseph Banda pleaded guilty to trafficking in Psychotropic Substances contrary to the Laws of Zambia.Particulars of the offence are that Banda on September 6 trafficked in 5.11grammes of Marijuana a herbal product of Cannabis Sativa without lawful authority or medical recommendation.When he appeared for plea before Senior Resident Magistrate Idah Mupemo, Banda without coercion admitted the charge against him.Court: Have you understood the charge against you?Banda: Yes.Court: How do you plead?Banda: I admitCourt: Did you possess the Cannabis?Banda: Yes, and the Officers got it.Court: How much was it?Banda: It was one ball.Court: Did you have lawful authority?Banda: No.Court: What was your justification?Banda: It was for smoking.Court: That is not a lawful justification, I record a plea of guilty.After recording a plea of guilty, the matter was adjourned to September 18, after Public Prosecutor Catherine Sakala made the application.Banda was remanded in custody. The Sun