The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), has opposed clamour for the legalisation of cannabis sativa in Nigeria, adding that the proliferation of illicit drugs often leads to crime, chaos and conflict.
Marwa asked those calling on Nigeria to legalise cannabis and join the league of countries taking economic advantage of the substance if they would be happy to see their teenage children having free access to the substance in the name of national economy.
“Our individual answer to that question will give us a public opinion of where we should stand as a country in the cannabis debate. We should stop treating cannabis like some sweet candy without any side effects. Its repercussions outweigh the vaunted benefits. And legalising its cultivation for a country like Nigeria is a shortcut to illicit drug Armageddon,” Marwa said.
He stressed that Nigeria could not afford to join countries legalising cannabis because it lacks the regulatory capacity to checkmate its use.
Marwa stated these while featuring as a guest speaker during the 2021 Ulefunta Annual Public Lecture organised by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi.
According to a statement on Friday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Marwa was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on National Drug Control Master Plan, Otunba Lanre Ipinmisho, at the even
