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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) took the opportunity on Wednesday to provide a defence for the legalisation of marijuana use in developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others, while explaining why it remains criminalised in Nigeria.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Shadrack Haruna, the secretary of the agency, stated that the marijuana species prevalent in Western countries lacks Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and they have effective policies in place to regulate its usage.
During an appearance on Channels Televisionās Sunrise Daily program on Wednesday, Haruna addressed the prevalent āmisconceptionā surrounding drug decriminalisation.
āWhen you travel to Canada or any of those countries and you see that theyāve decriminalised marijuana or cannabis and theyāre using it, itās important to note that they have different species of marijuana and those countries have very good policies, enforcement, and measurement standards that they adhere to,ā he explained.
Haruna emphasised that there are distinct species of cannabis cultivated worldwide.
āThe species they have decriminalised in some of those countries are ones that lack Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active ingredient responsible for altering oneās state of mind,ā he clarified.
āIn Nigeria, we have cannabis that is far more potent, with levels reaching almost 45% or 100% Tetrahydrocannabinol. We cannot compare it to what they claim to have decriminalised.ā
The NDLEA official also highlighted the strict enforcement measures in the US, UK, and other countries. He argued that only a few countries, including the US, have decriminalised certain drugs, with the UK not being among them.
Peoplesmind
