The silly bill seeking to legalise cannabis, By Yemi Adebowale

For three members of the House of Representatives – Benjamin Kalu representing Bende, Olumide Osoba representing Abeokuta North and Miriam Onuoha of Okigwe North – All they have to offer Nigerians in appreciation of the over N9 million they each take home monthly, are bills seeking to legalise the cultivation, sale and recreational use of Cannabis (Marijuana). They talk about the medicinal and commercial strengths of this deadly plant with so much passion. These three lawmakers spent over two years pushing for this useless bill until it was stepped down in the House this week due to lack of support.

Kalu, Onuoha and Osoba did not deem it fit to push bills that will solve the multitudes of problems in their constituencies. What a country! They are only interested in fighting for the legalisation of Marijuana, a psychotropic drug that goes straight into the brain and more often than not, destroys it. A bill for the decriminalisation of Cannabis cultivation, sale and use. That’s what these guys want for this country. They also talked about controlled growing and usage. They say it will earn this country forex. Kalu, Osoba and Onuoha must be high on something. These lawmakers pretend to be unaware that so many young men and women, who thought smoking Marijuana was right, have ended up in mental hospitals. Scores of lives are still being destroyed daily by Marijuana across Nigeria.

Kalu, Onuoha and Osoba pretend to be oblivious that the negative effect of Marijuana outweighs the medicinal value. Yes, there are medicinal values from Cannabis, but these are not without alternatives. How can these lawmakers be talking about the commercial side of Marijuana? So, it’s good to make money at the expense of human lives? Economic benefits should not override health and social consequences. Well, other members of the House of Representatives refused to be consumed by Kalu, Onuoha and Osoba’s baloney. They promptly stepped aside the bill. For me, the irrational bill should have been thrown out.

The Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.) aptly noted: “history will never forget those who stood with parents to protect them and their children from any legislation that would turn Nigeria into a nation of junkies and criminals, which would amount to taking a step forward and 10 steps backward. In the final analysis, drug abuse is indeed one of the factors fueling insecurity. As such, Nigeria cannot afford to permit the cultivation, sale and use of the most abused illicit drug under whatever guise.”

Clearly, a bill for the legalisation of Marijuana is objectionable. Kalu, Onuoha and Osoba deserve all the tongue-lashing they are getting. They have by these bills shown that they don’t know why they are in the National Assembly. I would have urged the people in their constituencies to consider recalling them, even if they have less than two months to go. But it doesn’t work in this part of the world. So, let’s continue tongue-lashing these horrible lawmakers.

Source: First published in Thisday Newspaper