The argument over the medicinal value of cannabis popularly known as marijuana appears set to take centre stage in deliberations at the Nigerian National Assembly, with three House of Representatives Members proposing changes to the law that criminalises possession and use of marijuana. In two separate bills taken together on the floor of the House, the one proposed by Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC; Abia) and Hon. Olumide Osoba (APC; Ogun) and the second by Hon. Miriam Onuoha (APC; Imo), the Members are seeking to regulate the use of cannabis for medicinal purpose on one hand and decriminalisation of the growth, sale and use of cannabis on the other hand. The consolidated bill came up for Second Reading on the floor of the House of Representatives on March 23. It however faced its own crisis following criticism by some Members and also disputations among sponsors of the two bills, who did not want them consolidated over the use of language in the bill.
Members who opposed the bill followed the traditional argument about cannabis being too dangerous to be allowed to be used liberally. The sponsors of the bill however appeared intent to work separately on their bills moving forward, rather than continue with the suggestion of consolidating the two bills.
Nigeria has a huge underground growing and production of cannabis, which it has always outlawed. While the argument to allow the liberalisation of cannabis, especially for medical purposes, there is still the age long argument that this could lead to increased substance abuse and addiction. Several public debates have happened on this matter. There is even the suggestion by Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu supporting liberalisation of the current legal position on cannabis. The national Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has continually made a huge show of confiscating and publicly setting up bonfires of impounded cannabis. Under current Nigerian laws, punishment including fine and imprisonment are imposed for growing, possessing or using cannabis. It is not clear when the bill will return to be taken for Second Reading after the sponsors suffered a setback of having the bill stepped down.