Concerns Over Plans To Legalise Cannabis Farming

The global cannabis cultivation market size is expected to reach $45.4 billion by 2026, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Also, many countries in Africa are legalising cannabis cultivation, citing medical benefits and   derivatives such as oil, creams and edibles. To this end, there  are moves to get the National Assembly to legalise it in Nigeria.  However, the action has drawn concerns of some Nigerians,

Experts from Canada are pushing for the cultivation and development of non-intoxicating cannabis, cannaidiol (CBD oil) and industrial hemp markets in the country.

Cannabis, also known as Indian hemp, weed, pot or marijuana,  has been an illegal drug for years. Hence its cultivation is not permitted by law.

An organisation, Grow CANN Africa, said Nigeria is well-positioned to tap into the increasing global demand for cannabis, CBD oil and industrial hemp markets poised to hit $10 billion this year.

Its President, Uju Adaku, reportedly told a media parley in Abuja, that their findings had shown that many countries have gained better traction in the development of their CBD and industrial hemp by granting exclusive licences to their foreign partners with the technical know-how, including access to global market, to build the market.

She said in the last two years, the group had been meeting with the Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Nigerian Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as well as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture  and Rural Development to discuss the development of  the CBD, oil and industrial hemp industry.

She said they were seeking a licence to pilot the non-intoxicating cannabis, CBD oil and industrial hemp research and development in Nigeria, and subsequently, growing it to scale.

Consequently, there  is a bill in  the House of Representatives to legalise cultivation for medical and industrial uses.

The bill: Cultivation, Processing and Commercialisation of Cannabis, will allow people to cultivate it for medical research and commercial purposes.

It  empowers the NDLEA to issue licences for importing seeds, establishing nurseries, planting and harvesting the crop, manufacturing goods from it and exporting its derivatives.

The bill has passed second reading on the floor of the House of Representatives. The House Committee on Narcotics will work on it before it is passed for third reading. If it scales through, the bill will go to Senate for the same process before finally reaching the President for his assent