House Of Reps Step Down Bill To Legalize Cannabis

The House of Representatives has stepped down a bill to legalize the cultivation and use of cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.

The bill, co-sponsored by Marian Onuha, Ben Kalu and Olumide Osoba was stepped down following opposition from several members.

The bill proposed to give the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) the power to regulate the growth and consumption of cannabis.

During the debate on Thursday, the bill was opposed by several members of the House on the basis that cannabis is “addictive”.

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Nicholas Ossai, the Chairman of House Treaty, Protocol and Agreement, said the bill contravenes the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs. He added that there is no “empirical evidence to support the claim that Cannabis has benefits”.

Also, the Whip of the House, argued that the bill is laid on a faulty foundation and cannot address the concern about abuse and addiction.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila noted that if the bill is allowed to scale through, some of the challenges may be addressed during the public hearing.

However, following the opposition from members, two of the sponsors, Onuha and Kalu stepped down the bill to allow further legislative action.