In an apparent response to moves by the House of Representatives to legalize the use of Cannabis in the Country, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-Gen. Mohammed Marwa, has insisted that time is not yet ripe for such a move.
The Green Chamber is not alone in this legal backing for the weed as Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been championing the campaign to legalize the use of Cannabis, citing its economic benefits to Nigeria.
But the NDLEA boss said he is opposed to demands for the legalisation of cannabis in Nigeria.
According to him, the Nation cannot afford to mortgage the lives of the citizens for financial gains by legalising cannabis.
He made the remarks on Monday, while briefing journalists in Abuja, the Nation’s capital, ahead of the 2021 World Drug Day.
Marwa pointed out that it was not acceptable to NDLEA and that the Agency would continue to burn down marijuana farms and prosecute whoever is caught doing the business.
He was of the view that moves by the Ondo State Governor and some Legislators must be resisted at all costs by Nigerians.
The NDLEA Chairman reiterated his suggestion to have politicians subjected to drug tests before they are allowed to contest for elective positions.
This, he said has become necessary to ensure that only sane persons are allowed to lead the country in whatever capacity.
Not only politicians, students and intending couples should also be subjected to drug tests, he added.
In his comment, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Oliver Stolpe said there are at least three million Nigerians struggling with drug-abuse-related habits.
He disclosed that recent research by the UNODC has shown a steady rise in abuse of drugs and that cannabis is the most abused substance in Nigeria.
He explained that most of those engaged in the use of illicit substances in Nigeria fall within the age bracket of 25-35.
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