- Marijuana has grown to become a cash crop of international value and might soon dominate oil, the global trade;
- Despite Nigeria’s recent revenue rush, over ₦1 billion worth of marijuana is destroyed annually;
- While in reality, marijuana can have psychotropic effects on consumers, the government can develop regulations to contain this;
- By legalisation, the government could also track and monitor the production and use of marijuana.
Could Cannabis be the New Oil?
Earlier, we spoke on the mismatch from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s narcotic figures. More importantly, we noted the hidden potential in “weed” as a resource.
Speaking to the statistics, Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian human rights activist, and a former presidential candidate emphasised the need to maximise the potentials of Nigeria’s large drug industry. According to him, marijuana has grown beyond the sinful connotation that denigrates it. Rather, it is a cash crop of international value. In fact, it could be the “new oil.” This explains why countries are considering its legalisation. Even in supposedly religious countries like Thailand and Singapore, there have been considerations for legalisation of the product. In terms of its trade potential, there is the possibility that the product might dominate oil soon.
Yet, the human rights activist noted that “no one is thinking progressively about harnessing the potentials of the plant in Nigeria”. Rather, the government, through the NDLEA, has led the waste of this economic commodity. Drawing from records, Sowore reiterated the tragedy of the annual destruction of over ₦1 billion worth of marijuana by an economy that is starved of revenue. But ₦1 billion per annum is far below the true monetary worth of Nigeria’s drug/marijuana industry. According to him, Nigeria can source as much as 30% of its annual budget from marijuana. In Edo, Ondo, Rivers, and other states that have thriving marijuana farms, the plant can generate about ₦450 billion in annual revenue. “How much do these states get as federal allocation?”
Beyond revenue, legalisation would create more employment in the country; creating at least two million jobs.
Legalisation could also be the beginning of a medical revolution. Note that the plant has enormous medical and recreational value. Yet, the impression sold to the public is its negative psychotropic, which is merely a tamable disadvantage.
Marijuana prohibited, extracts imported
“If marijuana is truly prohibited, why allow sales of a complementary product that is being imported from South Africa”?
Sowore went further to describe the insincerity of the Nigerian government on marijuana trade. According to him, the government and the NDLEA are only hypocritical in the proper sense of it. First, the NDLEA reserves licenses for marijuana cultivation under a process that is shady and hidden from the public. Also, the agency allows for importation of marijuana extracts into the country. Actors then sell this extract at profitable rates to buyers which include pastors, police officers, senators, and politicians. “Many Nigerians smoke marijuana in the confines of their homes”, he said. In addition, in Ondo State, where the governor is pushing for legislation, helicopters are used to transport and export the ‘illegal’ product.
From a medical standpoint, cigarettes are more dangerous than marijuana. Cigarette smokers have more risks of suffering from cancer. And while the government allows the free trade of cigarettes, it prohibits a plant of great relaxing and medical value. However, most of the hypocrisy is evident in the fact that Shoprite sells paraphernalia in its stalls country-wide. For those unaware, the substance in question is primarily used for wrapping and smoking marijuana. “If marijuana is truly prohibited, why allow sales of a complementary product that is being imported from South Africa”?
This speaks to the extent of deception by the NDLEA who are also making illegal gains from drug trade.
Commercialisation is the way out
On how to curb abuse and its psychotropic effects, especially on Nigeria’s young population, Sowore referred to an American comedian who stated that the easiest way to curb gun violence is to increase the price of bullets. Commercialisation is the way out. Should the government legalise and commercialise the product, it will become more expensive and difficult to access. Commercialisation will also reduce the availability. Further, the rights activist stated that legalisation will relieve the burden on Nigeria’s criminal justice system. So, the authorities could release prisoners serving jail terms for petty drug offenses, all the while freeing up prisons.
In conclusion, Sowore reiterated the fact that he neither consumes nor trades in drugs. Yet, his interest for national prosperity has led him to extensive research on the subject. From his research, we can only make profits from marijuana trade when the product is internationally acceptable. This means the relevant authorities must build refineries to process the plant at the right temperature; a necessary and profitable commitment from the government. But we must hurry. Seeing as cannabis is already legal in some countries, we have a limited window before it becomes mainstream and they label our version unhealthy and inferior. Thence, Nigeria must make an early lead into the market and truly prove the suitability of its marijuana.
A medical doctor weighs in
As of 2019, a cumulative of over 15 million Nigerians have used a psychoactive substance!
Validating the statistics, Dr Tavershima Adongo, a Medical officer, and health reporting consultant, affirmed the growth of Nigeria’s illicit drug industry. According to him, data sourced in the last five years gives credence to the growth of the drug industry in Nigeria. The medical expert also noted that marijuana, heroine, tramadol, cocaine, morphine, the amphetamines, ecstasy, different hallucinogens, and cough syrups (which mostly contain codeine or dextromethorphan) are the most common drugs in circulation in the country. Adongo also cited that over 4 million Nigerians use one form of opioid for non-medical purposes. As of 2019, a cumulative of over 15 million Nigerians have used a psychoactive substance!
Legalisation could facilitate effective tracking
Dr Adongo further stressed the need for legalisation of drug consumption and trade in the country. A reason cited was the high number of existing drug consumers in the country. The health reporting consultant also stated how legalisation could reduce the grave health implications of drug consumption. According to him, legalisation will provide for strict guidelines over drug dispensation. In this manner, drugs would follow a particular production channel, distribution channel, and end-users- all identifiable. This means the government can track and monitor production and use and have access to its revenue. Further, the doctor mentioned that examples from states and countries that have legalised medical and recreation use of drugs (marijuana) can guide Nigeria in the development of its framework. For example, in the United States, there are guidelines for recreational use such as possession of a stipulated quantity and purchase from approved vendors.
But the health policy expert stressed that it is difficult to talk of generating revenue from the drug industry in a poorly regulated system. Without some regulation, the government’s chase after drug producers, traffickers, and consumers will be futile. Thus, the government must develop the right structures to implement guidelines and regulations. According to Dr Adongo, this would mean developing the capacity of NDLEA and other sister agencies to function appropriately. This way, Nigeria can maximise the enormous revenue and economic benefits of the already thriving industry.
A reflective pause
At this point in Nigeria’s national life, we cannot overstate the importance of a reflective pause on drug consumption and trade. Without sentiments, the country must compare the prospects of legalisation with the current framework of criminalisation. Further, FG should develop policies that eliminate revenue loss through illegal drug trade. Also important are protocols that guide drug consumption, reducing health risks.