Undoubtedly, since cannabis was made illegal, there has been a protracted campaign against it. Despite the tight prohibitions, the global marijuana trade has astonishingly persisted in growing, fueled mostly by both active supply and demand, which have successfully ensured a substantial stream of cash that has proven to be the primary motivator.
Meaningfully, a vigorous campaign of stigmatization encouraged marijuana’s criminalization in America, giving rise to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Prior to that, it was widely utilized for both recreational and therapeutic purposes, with varying degrees of success.
Before the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Act of 1989, Nigeria supported its war with legislation like the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1935 and the Indian Hemp Act of 1966, which forbade the cultivation, harvesting, and consumption of cannabis. Additionally, it has signed the UN convention on psychotropic substances from 1988 and the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
In essence, the war has followed a pattern that falls within the bounds of the laws already in place, which more often than not entails the seizure of the material, burning down vast tracts of farms and the seized consignments, and arresting and prosecuting lords and couriers. Despite everything, the abundance of creative and audacious actors in the ecosystem hasn’t been deterred.
Cannabis has a long history of use in medicine, and its current comeback has been shown to be effective. According to reports, cannabis has a significant therapeutic benefit for over 1.2 billion people who suffer from a range of illnesses. Its use is successful in reducing acute pain, arthritis pain, and various types of anxiety. I recently watched an intriguing documentary about the effects of cannabis in treating autism, in which users spoke eloquently about the results.
After being removed by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs from the list of harmful substances that also included heroin and synthetic opioids, the perception of cannabis has significantly changed. Many nations are rushing to pass legislation to accommodate the “green gold,” and intriguingly, Africa has not been left out of the rush. For medical and scientific purposes, Lesotho is the first country in Africa to do so, despite the prohibitively expensive license required.
The debate over legalizing the psychoactive substance has shifted from one of ethics to one of commerce and business, but the alarming numbers of people who have died as a result of its use, its effects on society (especially young people), its use as a tool for crime, and its role as a gateway drug for other hard drugs make the fight against it serious. This is the main argument against legalization, which is impossible to refute because the number of addicts will inevitably increase.
However, the information about cannabis and the worldwide scramble to seize the opportunity it offers is significant enough to force us to reevaluate our assumptions. In a 2019 analysis, the research consulting firm Prohibition Partners predicted that by 2023, the cannabis industry in Africa may generate up to $7.1 billion in revenue annually.
This is undoubtedly a guarantee that a regulated cannabis business will lead to a vista of prospects, including the generation of wealth and jobs, economic diversification, and increased foreign exchange profits. Similar to cannabis, social and health concerns were the main forces behind the prohibition of alcohol in America. The necessity for extra tax money, especially during the Great Depression when legalizing alcohol sales was considered as a viable source, was also of utmost importance. Franklin Roosevelt actually made good on his promise to abolish the alcohol restriction.
The strategy for maximizing the opportunity should be focused on medical applications, which will promote the establishment of industries for the processing and export of goods made from cannabis or its derivatives, supported by a stringent regulatory and legal framework. Therefore, there is no scarcity of entrepreneurs willing to take the risk in the nation. The levying of taxes and the granting of licenses would generate enormous money.
The NDLEA’s position will not be eliminated by this in any manner; rather, it will be streamlined to better reflect the new reality and bolster its capabilities for better performing supervisory, monitoring, and regulating roles in the industry. Again, the primary justification for cannabis use continues to be its medical and academic applications.
As previously said, several African nations have joined on board, with many also cleaning up loose ends in preparation for pursuing the business angle, while Nigeria has remained ambivalent despite repeated requests for a shift in its policy toward cannabis.
It is still a young industry that might have been affected by the government’ disregard. In any case, it is necessary to maintain spirited discussions in order to generate a rethink through deep subject knowledge. Nigeria can be on its path to become a significant player with a rich economic harvest with the help of its plentiful land, experienced farmers, and good growing circumstances.
