• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

NDLEA Okays Regulated Cannabis Oil Export, Opposes Local Use — Marwa

by Ejike Ejike and Christabel Ijeh
3 hours ago
in News
NDLEA
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Muhamed Marwa (rtd), has said that the anti-narcotics agency was not averse to the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil to countries who desire it but it remains opposed to its local consumption.

Advertisement

Marwa stated this at a stakeholders workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria”, organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday.

Marwa, who stated that the dialogue on cannabis oil was a welcome development, further said: “At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue. We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends. Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety. This is why it is crucial that scientists, medical experts, policymakers, and regulators are in the same room to bring facts to the table, scrutinise evidence, and weigh options carefully.

Advertisement

“Let me assure you that NDLEA is not opposed to science, nor are we indifferent to innovation. What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen—not weaken—our fight against drug abuse. As such, the Agency will not be averse to the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies and countries who desire it, as part of our drive as a country to enhance foreign earnings.

“After all, some countries have approved the use of cannabis oil for therapeutic purposes while others including Nigeria have not. Our concern however is about its consumption in Nigeria. In essence, we are not opposed to the idea of exporting the oil to those who desire it but such must be strictly controlled, licensed and monitored by NDLEA with such process located only within export free zones”.

Marwa, while explaining the position of the agency, said the conversation was necessary because “we are talking about Cannabis, which is not just another plant. It is a substance with complex medical, social, and economic dimensions. For decades, the debate has been one-sided. Advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil, while its risks and consequences are glossed over. This, no doubt informs the decision by us at the NDLEA to commission an ongoing study on cannabis oil by this respected apex body of scientists, the Nigerian Academy of Science.”

RELATED NEWS

Reps Committee Summons Minister Over Utilisation Of Foreign Missions’ Funds

FCTA Demolishes Structures In River Park Estate, Vows Legal Action Against Defiant Developer

Court Jails 2 Women For Arranging Girls For Prostitution Abroad

Insecurity: Senate Asks Federal Government To Establish Military Base In Kwara South

He added that, “In a country like Nigeria, which is already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance. Till today, much of the public debate highlights the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil and the commercial value of its export. What about the risks? Evidence shows that cannabis, including its oil extracts, can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people. The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment. In addition, dependence and addiction are real concerns as well. In reality, these side effects create additional social and economic costs for families, communities and society at large.

“Another fundamental issue that we must take cognisance of is that the lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries means products sold as “cannabis oil” often vary in potency, contain contaminants, or are misused outside of medical supervision. Already, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of misuse of cannabis worldwide. For a country already grappling with 14.4 per cent substance abuse prevalence rate as against the global average of 5.6 per cent and a staggering figure of 10.6 million cannabis users based on the last drug use survey report of 2018, the risks associated with cannabis cannot be dismissed. Rather, the reality should remind us that while cannabis oil may have medical potential, its dangers are real and must be addressed with strong safeguards before any policy shift is considered.”

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

SendShare10172Tweet6358Share
Ejike Ejike and Christabel Ijeh

Ejike Ejike and Christabel Ijeh

OTHER NEWS UPDATES

Why Federal Gov’t Launched New ‘4D Foreign Policy’ – Minister
News

Reps Committee Summons Minister Over Utilisation Of Foreign Missions’ Funds

26 minutes ago
FCTA Demolishes Structures In River Park Estate, Vows Legal Action Against Defiant Developer
News

FCTA Demolishes Structures In River Park Estate, Vows Legal Action Against Defiant Developer

33 minutes ago
Lawyers Raise Alarm Over ‘Gradual Desecration’ Of Legal Profession In Rivers
News

Court Jails 2 Women For Arranging Girls For Prostitution Abroad

36 minutes ago
Advertisement
Leadership join WhatsApp

LATEST UPDATE

Reps Committee Summons Minister Over Utilisation Of Foreign Missions’ Funds

26 minutes ago

FCTA Demolishes Structures In River Park Estate, Vows Legal Action Against Defiant Developer

33 minutes ago

Court Jails 2 Women For Arranging Girls For Prostitution Abroad

36 minutes ago

FIFA Imposes Transfer Ban On Heartland FC Over Unpaid Wages

1 hour ago

Insecurity: Senate Asks Federal Government To Establish Military Base In Kwara South

1 hour ago
Load More

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.