NASS backs Akeredolu on cannabis growing

The House of Representatives has joined Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on his advocacy for legalising the growing of cannabis Sativa for export.

The country is itching to join other countries in Africa to legalise Indian hemp.

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The lower chamber of the National Assembly has concluded arrangements to organise a two-day stakeholders’ roundtable on the benefits of the weed.

The stakeholders’ forum, which will attract participants among scientists, medical and pharmaceutical professionals, farmers, insurance companies, executives, and private sector investors, the roundtable has been slated for June 7 and 8.

This was made known on Monday at a press conference organised by Ondo State Government in collaboration with Culturepreneur Cluster at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure.

The conference was titled: “The Benefits and Opportunities of Cannabis Plant and CBD Oil in Nigeria, Research, Legalisation, Licence, Medicine, Agro-Economy, Employment, IGR and Trade Exchange.”

Speaking from Sydney, Australia, via webinar, the House spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu disclosed that the bill seeking legalisation of the growing of Cannabis Sativa in the country has passed through the second reading.

He reeled out the economic advantages of the plant, noting that it has become imperative for the nation to legalise the growing of the plant in the face of the dwindling economy and depleting revenue generated from crude oil export.

The lawmaker, who disclosed that the bill had been initiated since 2020 but impeded by COVID-19 outbreak, allayed the fears of the people if the plant is legalised, assuring that the legislation would take care of the tendency to abuse the opportunity.

According to Hon. Kalu, after the bill, must have passed through the third reading, a public hearing would be organised by the appropriate House Committee, despite the existing international structure, with a view to ensuring all loopholes are blocked to prevent abuse of the plant he said could shore up the nation’s revenue by $200million.