THE CASE FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IN NIGERIA: PROS AND CONS

Abstract

Cannabis is a plant that originated in Central Asia but then cultivated in Asia, Europe and China, from where its use and cultivation have spread to other parts of the world. Recent studies have shown its efficacy in several disease conditions, including pain, sleeplessness, depression, and intractable epilepsy. But despite its various health benefits, Cannabis is a heavily criminalized plant in Nigeria because of the negative effects associated with its use such as; impairment of cognitive, risks of psychiatric disorders in regular users. The study aimed at making a case for the legalization of Medical Cannabis in Nigeria and identifying the pros and cons of the legalization while taking into account the perspectives of medical professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders. The study adopted the doctrinal methodology of research such as examining primary sources and secondary sources such as journal articles, textbooks, periodical articles, and the likes. The study found that countries like Canada, south Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia and Germany have some exceptions which permits the use of cannabis for medical research and pharmaceutical uses, the study also found that despite the validation of its medical efficacy by medical practitioners the national stakeholders have enacted laws, regulations and policies that placed absolute prohibition on the use of Medical Cannabis. The study recommended amongst others, that the national stakeholders should borrow a leaf from other jurisdictions like South African, Zimbabwe etc and make better policies which permits the use of Cannabis for medical and pharmaceutical uses as this would not only benefit the Nigeria healthcare system but would also benefit traders who rely on cannabis farming as a means of income generation and diversification to meet their basic needs.
Keywords: Cannabis, Legalization, Regulatory framework, Medicinal purpose