NDLEA clarifies stance on cannabis oil: Supports regulated export, opposes local use

…Agency cites nationalist health, addiction risks astatine Nigerian Academy of Science workshop

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has clarified the agency’s presumption connected cannabis oil, stating that portion the NDLEA supports regulated export for economical gain, it firmly opposes section depletion wrong Nigeria.

Speaking astatine a stakeholders’ store themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) successful Abuja connected Wednesday, Marwa said the NDLEA welcomes technological dialog connected the contented but insists that nationalist wellness and information indispensable usher argumentation decisions.

“At NDLEA, our presumption connected cannabis lipid is simple: we invited dialogue,” Marwa said. “Nigeria indispensable marque informed choices, not ones driven by half-truths, commercialized interests, oregon planetary trends. While cannabis lipid whitethorn person medicinal potential, it besides carries risks of misuse and nationalist information implications.”

Marwa explained that the bureau would not reason the controlled export of cannabis lipid to countries wherever it is legally permitted, provided the process is tightly regulated and confined to export-free zones nether NDLEA supervision. However, helium maintained that allowing section usage could worsen Nigeria’s already precocious rates of substance abuse.

“For a state with a 14.4 percent substance maltreatment prevalence complaint — astir triple the planetary mean — and implicit 10.6 cardinal cannabis users, the risks cannot beryllium ignored,” helium said. “Cannabis and its extracts tin trigger intelligence wellness issues specified arsenic anxiety, depression, and psychosis, particularly among young people.”

Marwa added that the NDLEA had commissioned a survey with the Nigerian Academy of Science to analyse cannabis oil’s imaginable benefits and risks. “This speech is crucial,” helium said. “We indispensable trust connected grounds and science, not sentiment oregon nett motives.”

He besides highlighted the agency’s ongoing Alternative Development Project, introduced successful 2023, which aims to trim the cultivation of illicit crops by addressing poverty, hunger, and unemployment — factors that often thrust radical into drug-related economies.

“The task seeks to supply skills acquisition, empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods to discourage illicit cultivation,” Marwa explained.

Earlier, NAS President Prof. Abubakar Sambo, represented by Vice President Prof. Friday Okonofua, said the store was designed to execute an evidence-based nationalist statement connected cannabis oil. “At the extremity of the day, we purpose to supply guidance that reflects technological grounds and nationalist interest,” helium said.

Chairman of the NAS survey committee connected cannabis oil, Prof. Musbau Akanbi, commended the NDLEA for engaging scientists successful the argumentation process. He noted that the committee had reviewed planetary lit and convened experts to pass Nigeria’s regulatory direction.

Ondo State Governor, represented by Dr. Samuel Adekola, said the speech presents an accidental for Nigeria to determination “from statement to design, from imaginable to policies,” portion Prof. Oye Gureje of the University of Ibadan noted that “cannabis whitethorn person constricted aesculapian use, but wide recreational entree poses superior risks to nationalist health.”

The store brought unneurotic scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to illustration a balanced way guardant connected the cannabis lipid debate, emphasizing caution, evidence, and nationalist well-being.

The station NDLEA clarifies stance connected cannabis oil: Supports regulated export, opposes section use appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.