Reps Step Down Bill to Regulate, Cultivate Cannabis in Nigeria

By Iyojo Ameh

The House of Representatives yesterday turned down 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.

During plenary, proponent of the Bill said it was meant to allow for the Planting of Cannabis for Medicinal purposes and to decriminalize growth and
use of Cannabis as well as 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.

The Bill captioned unfer HBs. 1190, 1918 & 1118 is sponsored by the Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon.Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Olumide Babatunde Osoba as well as Hon.
Princess Miriam Onuoha.

In his presentation, the lead sponsor of the Bill, Hon Kalu has noted that the bill will help to regulate Cannabis planting for medical purpose in the country.

He further claimed that the bill which was meant for second reading when pass could help in providing medication and cure for cancer patients in Nigeria instead of going for oversea treatment.

Hon Kalu while defending his bill also informed lawmakers that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Act will be amended to provides for adequate Legislation of Cananbis in the country for the purpose of liecensing operators.

In his debate against the Bill, Hon.Ossai Nicholas Ossai agued that there is no emperical record that Cannabis can provide cure for Cancer treatment in the world.

Hon Ossai equally informed the House that passing the bill could be tantamount to working against many international treaties that Nigeria as a country has signed against drugs abuse.

He further advised the house to be very careful about the bill as it may give rooms for drugs Barron’s and misuse of Cannabis by young Nigerians.

In his argument, the deputy Speaker,, Hon.Idris Wase urged the House to step down the bill until for further consultation adding that most drugs and Arms proliferation are already in the country expressing the fear that a bill that seeks to legalise Cannabis may create more problem than solutions.

In his comments, the speaker of the House of Representatives. Hon. Femi Gbajabimila urged for more legislative work and proper findings on the bill before passage.