Lawmakers who support legalisation of cannabis in Nigeria dare not return to their constituencies – Marwa

The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has said National Assembly lawmakers who vote to support the legalisation of cannabis in the country, cannot dare return to their constituencies.

The lower chamber began moves to legalise cannabis in May 2021, in a bid to take advantage of its economic benefits.

However, speaking on Friday after a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, Marwa said cannabis has destroyed a lot of lives.

He said: “Cannabis is harmful to our health; it is a danger to society. We must never allow its legalisation. Nigeria has 10.6 million cannabis users; this is the highest in the world. Isn’t it sad?

“We can never support legalisation and I don’t see how the national assembly would pass the act because I know 90% or more of the distinguished members of the national assembly know the implications of this legalisation.

“They dare not go back to their constituencies if anyone signs legalisation because we’re seeing the implication on the ground. The youths, the families are being destroyed because of cannabis and drugs. It wouldn’t be legalised by the grace of God.”