Reps Divided Over Bill Seeking To Legalise Cultivation, Use Of Marijuana

Members of the House of Representatives were yesterday divided over bills seeking to legalise the cultivation, sale and use of cannabis sativa, popularly known as marijuana in Nigeria.

Two different bills on the same matter were listed for consolidation on Thursday’s proceedings in the House.

“A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to confer additional Responsibility of the power to grant and revoke licenses for the cultivation of Cannabis (or any of its three species namely Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indicia and Cannabis Ruderalis) Plant for Medicinal purposes; and for Related Matters (HBs. 1190 & 1918)” sponsored by Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Hon Olumide Babatunde Osoba.

“A Bill for an Act to Decriminalise the Growth and Use of Cannabis, to Establish a System for the Registration and licensing of Cannabis Growers, Users, Control to legalize the Growth, Sale and use of Cannabis and set out a Legal Framework for the Registration and Licensing of Cannabis Growers and Producers in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1118)”sponsored by Princess Mariam Onuoha.

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The bill jointly sponsored by Kalu and Osoba was on Wednesday stepped down followings complains by  Princess Onuoha who said the content in her already presented bill was similar.

After the consultation, co-sponsor, Kalu while leading the debate on its general principles, informed his colleagues on the plethora of medicinal benefits attributed to Cannabis such as pain control, weight loss and cancer treatment.

Kalu who represents Bende federal constituency of Abia State noted that  the bill seeks to establish and regulate the safe use of Cannabis as a source of medicinal treatment in medical centres, adding that Nigerians shouldn’t live in denial on the benefits while they go outside and import it, in medical form, from Germany, Australia.

But the member representing Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani constituency of Delta State, Nicholas Ossai noted that Nigeria is a signatory to the international treaty of nations on the ban on Cannabis.

He queried the authenticity of the statement that Cannabis can cure cancer, or that it can be efficiently regulated when allowed to be legally administered.

Countering Ossai’s view, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, reminded Ossai that where exists conflicts of laws and treaties, laws always take preeminence, especially when the treaties are not fully domesticated.

Gbajabiamila stated that the bill did not repeal any existing law, adding that it will allow experts to contribute at the public hearing if Cannabis can treat the mentioned illnesses.

On his part, Hon. Nkem Abonta called for balance in the passage of the bill as the motive of the sponsors of the bill is just, but the practical application can be harmful to society, especially if not effectively regulated and then abused.

He therefore advised on a rigorous debate at a public hearing where the relevant experts can shed more light on the matter.