By George OPARA
Nigeria’s National Assembly is said to be drafting a bill to legalise cannabis for medicinal and economic purposes.
This move has generated debate over potential economic benefits and concerns about drug abuse.
Spear News Nigeria findings indicated that the legislative bill is aimed at legalising cannabis for medicinal, industrial and economic purposes under a regulated system.
The proposed bill
is expected to focus on controlled cultivation and usage of cannabis for healthcare, pharmaceutical research, export and industrial production rather than recreational smoking.
The development was recently brought into public discussion by former senator and Labour Party chieftain, Athan Nneji Achonu, who disclosed that lawmakers are currently drafting legislation that could create a legal framework for cannabis-related investments and medical applications in Nigeria.
The lawmaker averred that Nigeria risks missing out on a rapidly growing global cannabis market that several countries are already benefiting from economically.
Supporters of the proposed bill argue that regulated cannabis production could open up new sources of revenue for the country, create employment opportunities and attract foreign investment into agriculture and healthcare sectors,
believing cannabis could be used for medicinal purposes, including pharmaceutical treatments and scientific research, under strict supervision and licensing.
But Cannabis remains illegal in Nigeria under existing laws, with possession, cultivation and trafficking attracting serious criminal penalties. However, the latest proposal seeks to separate medicinal and industrial cannabis regulation from illegal drug abuse.
Spear News Nigeria recalls that this is not the first time lawmakers have pushed for cannabis reform in Nigeria. In previous years, several bills and proposals were introduced in the National Assembly seeking to legalise industrial hemp cultivation and controlled medical use.
Some of those earlier proposals focused on creating licensing systems for farmers, processors and researchers while maintaining strict penalties for unauthorised recreational use and trafficking.
Countries such as Canada, Germany, Israel, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have already established regulated cannabis industries for medical or industrial purposes, generating billions of dollars annually through exports, taxation and healthcare investments.
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