Bill On Legalization Of Cannabis In Nigeria Scales Second Reading
LAGOS OCTOBER 13TH (NEWSRANGERS)-A bill seeking the legalization and usage of industrial hemp plants for medical and scientific research has passed second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill was presented by Rep. Princess Miriam Onuoha, the lawmaker representing Okigwe North of Imo State.
This was disclosed by Tonye Jaja Clinton during a media parley organized by Grow Cann Africa in Abuja on “The Benefits and Opportunities of Cannabis Plants and CBD Oil.”
President of Grow CANN Africa, Uju Adaku said the Group is seeking a license to pilot the non-intoxicating Cannabis CBD oil and industrial hemp research and development in Nigeria, subsequently, growing it to scale.
According to Adaku, “countries have gained better traction in the development of their national cannabis (CBD) and industrial hemp by granting an exclusive license to foreign partners with the technical know-how, including access to the global market to adequately build the market.”
She added that “in the last two years, Grow CANN Africa has 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 to discuss the development of the Nigerian non-intoxicating Cannabis, CBD oil and industrial hemp.”
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act criminalized cannabis for medical research and commercial purposes. On this, the Group Legal Representative, Tony Jaja said “to ensure strict regulation of the cultivation, the bill put in place criteria for licensing such that anyone applying who proves that it’s purely for research or commercial purpose, and even after the licenses are issued, it must be renewed periodically so that people do not misuse them. The bill is not to create a new agency, but NDLEA will be in charge”.
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