The Cannabis Oil Debate: A Comprehensive Look at Nigeria’s Path Forward
Nigeria is currently engaged in a critical discussion about the potential legalisation of cannabis oil for medicinal purposes. This debate has brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from policy-making bodies, regulatory agencies, research institutions, healthcare professionals, and civil society organisations. Their discussions aim to determine whether the country should consider legalising cannabis oil within its existing legal and policy framework.
The recent workshop, titled “The Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” took place in Abuja and was part of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) consensus study. The primary goal of this initiative is to examine the scientific evidence surrounding the therapeutic uses of cannabis oil, while also considering international best practices for its regulation, production, and distribution.
Scientific Evidence and Policy Considerations
One of the key objectives of the workshop was to identify potential risks, social concerns, and research gaps that must be addressed before any policy decisions are made. Additionally, participants reviewed Nigeria’s current legal and policy landscape regarding cannabis use, with a focus on ensuring that any proposed changes align with the nation’s cultural and social realities.
The Chairman of the NAS Study Committee on Cannabis Oil Use in Nigeria and Academic Secretary, Emeritus Prof. Musbau Akanji, highlighted the importance of basing decisions on scientific evidence rather than personal opinions. He explained that the Academy’s role is to collect and evaluate scientific data, not to make policy decisions directly.
Prof. Akanji noted that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has requested a scientific evaluation of the pros and cons of cannabis oil. “We will present a report highlighting the positives and negatives, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of current Nigerian laws. The NDLEA will then use it to guide government policy,” he said.
Balancing Medical Potential and Risks
Dr. Oye Gureje, Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, expressed caution about the hasty legalization of medical cannabis. He stressed that while cannabis oil may have medical benefits, its legalisation must be accompanied by stringent regulatory measures to prevent misuse and ensure it is only used in approved medical settings.
“Cannabis oil could be justified if we have all the controls in place that will not allow diversion into recreational use. For that reason, there’s no particular reason why we should legalise it without such safeguards,” he said.
Prof. Gureje also advocated for the decriminalisation of small-scale possession to reduce unnecessary arrests and incarceration. However, he emphasized the need for regulated production, distribution, and use within approved medical facilities, similar to how Nigeria manages opioid medications.
Cultural and Social Context in Policy Decisions
Prof. Friday Okonofua, Vice President of NAS, underscored the importance of basing the Academy’s recommendations on aggregated scientific evidence rather than personal opinions. He acknowledged the potential merits and demerits of legalising cannabis but warned against adopting policies based solely on evidence from other countries.
“Within Nigeria’s cultural and social context, with issues like drug abuse, banditry, and reckless driving, we have to put these into the debate and find out the extent to which cannabis contributes to this misbehaviour. It will be difficult for us to just take evidence from other countries and use it to legalise cannabis. I think we should be very careful because it may be larger than we think within the context of Nigeria,” he said.
Prof. Okonofua called for further research and data modelling to assess the likely consequences of legalisation. “We can input different measures and variables into the model to predict outcomes — for instance, how legalisation might affect the rate of psychosis, or how many people could be treated. By doing this, we can project, over the next 10 years, what the implications of legalising cannabis might be for these challenges and risks.”
State-Level Initiatives and International Standards
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reiterated the state’s readiness to lead Nigeria’s regulated cultivation of medical cannabis. Represented by Dr. Samuel Adekola, he stated that Ondo State is prepared to serve as a pilot for the controlled use of medicinal cannabis. “Cannabis-based products can provide relief for those suffering from pain, and we want it properly controlled,” he said.
According to him, the call for regulated medical cannabis aligns with international pharmaceutical standards set by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, which encourages countries to consider its medicinal benefits.
Regulatory Perspective and National Interests
Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, welcomed dialogue on the issue of cannabis oil but stressed that Nigeria must make informed, evidence-based decisions. He emphasised that the NDLEA is not opposed to science or innovation but insists that any action must align with Nigeria’s cultural and social realities.
Marwa noted that the agency would not object to the controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies or countries that desire it, provided the process is strictly regulated, licensed, and monitored by the NDLEA, and carried out only within free export zones.
Next Steps and Final Recommendations
The NAS committee is expected to finalise its report soon and submit its recommendations to the NDLEA, which will then advise the Federal Government on possible policy directions.
