Controversy sparks as Representatives clash over new bill to legalize marijuana

On Wednesday, a bill that would allow for the commercial cultivation, sale, and use of cannabis, also known as marijuana, sparked disagreement among some House members.

Benjamin Kalu and Olumide Osoba, two House members, had sponsored a new bill to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act to allow the anti-narcotics agency to issue licenses for marijuana cultivation, sale, and use.

“A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. ” was the title of the legislation. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Give the Authority to Grant and Refuse Licenses for the Cultivation of Cannabis (or Any of Its Three Species, Namely Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indicia, and Cannabis Ruderalis) Plant for Medicinal Purposes Additional Authority and for Other Reasons.’

The bill is a consolidated version of the separate HBs bills introduced by Kalu and Osoba. 1190 & 1918.

However, Miriam Onuoha, a second House member, protested that the bill’s content was identical to hers, which she had previously sponsored, when it was up for second reading at the plenary on Wednesday.

In his ruling, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila requested that both sides work with Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, to determine the differences and similarities between the bills prior to Thursday’s session.

Nigeria currently prohibits the cultivation, sale, and consumption of cannabis.

However, on January 7, 2021, the House proposed legalizing the cultivation and trading of cannabis, also known as hemp or marijuana, for the purposes of research, medical and cosmetic use, and revenue generation for Nigeria.

‘A Bill for an Act to Regulate the Cultivation, Possession, Availability, and Trade of Cannabis for Medical and Research Use, and Related Purposes,’ is the title of the Cannabis Control Bill, 2020, which is sponsored by Miriam Onuoha.

If the bill passes, doctors and hospitals will be able to give patients prescribed doses of cannabis for treatment, and stores and pharmacies will be able to sell it.

Onuoha stated in the bill that relevant agencies would have the authority to “regulate the growth and use of cannabis; certify cannabis users and growers; issue licenses to pot cultivators, processors makers, producers and clients; and create educational programs about the cultivation and use of cannabis.”

In addition, the agencies provide advice to the federal and state governments regarding issues pertaining to cannabis growers, producers, users, and manufacturers. They also educate the general public about the positive and negative effects of cannabis use, conduct research, and develop policies regarding cannabis cultivation and use.