WATCH: South Africa says goodbye to Dagga Couple’s Julian Stobbs

July 18, 2020 Kgomotso Ngwenya

Earl Coetzee

People pay their respects at a small gathering for people to pay their respects to Julian Stobbs at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding Cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion robbery recently. Picture: Neil McCartney

One of the most instrumental campaigners for the legalisation of dagga for personal use is being laid to rest in Johannesburg after he was murdered a week ago.

South Africans will today say goodbye to Julian Stobbs, known as one half of the famous Dagga Couple, who was murdered at his home near Lanseria just over a week ago.

According to police, robbers had entered the couple’s property and shot Stobbs in his bedroom, before making off with their cellphones and other property.

His funeral is taking place in Johannesburg today, and due to Covid-19 regulations prohibiting large gatherings, the family have agreed to have his final farewell live streamed.

You can watch Stobbs’ funeral below:

Stobbs and his partner Myrtle Clarke shot to infamy in 2010, when they were arrested for drug possession and dealing. This arrest kickstarted their five year-long battle to see dagga use legalised which went all the way to the Constitutional Court.

The couple started the Non-Profit Organisation Fields of Green For All, which sought to give a voice to concerns around drug policy reform, specifically focused on the use of cannabis and related products. This eventually led to the legalisation of cannabis for personal use in 2018.

The past week saw constant flow of people from all races and creeds that came to give their respects to the man that was instrumental in the legalisation of cannabis in South Africa, with pictures and mementos being left on the couple’s smallholding.

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Some of Julian Stobbs’ belongings at a small gathering for people to pay their respects at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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A man lays cannabis in memory of Julian Stobbs on 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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The condolences book at Julian Stobbs’ memorial at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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People pay their respects to Julian Stobbs at a small gathering at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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A note at Julian Stobbs’ memorial at a small gathering at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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The family dog, Vinny at a small gathering for people to pay their respects to Julian Stobbs at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding Cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion robbery recently. Picture: Neil McCartney

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A man smokes cannabis at a memorial for Julian Stobbs at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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A lady makes a cannabis joint to smoke as pay their respects to Julian Stobbs at a small gathering at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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A message from Myrtle Clarke, Julians Stobbs’ partner, at a small gathering at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion. Picture: Neil McCartney

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A black cannabis plant at a small gathering for people to pay their respects to Julian Stobbs at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding Cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion robbery recently. Picture: Neil McCartney

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A small gathering for people to pay their respects to Julian Stobbs at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding Cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion robbery recently. Picture: Neil McCartney

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People console each other at a small gathering for people to pay their respects to Julian Stobbs at the Jazz Farm in Lanseria, 8 July 2020. Julian was a half of the well known Dagga Couple that were instrumental in changing the laws regarding Cannabis and its use in South Africa. He was shot and killed during a home invasion robbery recently. Picture: Neil McCartney

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