》》Decriminalization &  Legalization Of CANNIBIS IN NIGERIA   ; ¤ THE FORBIDDEN MEDICINE ▪

》》Decriminalization &  Legalization Of CANNIBIS  ; ¤ THE FORBIDDEN MEDICINE ▪
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  The legality of marijuana is a very controversial subject , There have been many misconceptions about the Legalization  and decriminalization of cannibis in Nigeria . Recently there has been  an outpour of public sentiment and outcry in the need to excercise caution in the  reviewing and relaxing of
laws pertaining the legalizing ,cultivation & decriminalizing of cannibis for medicinal and pharmaceutical purposes.
  
    Marijuana's future as  a medicine does not  involve smoking or  substance-abuse  - "It involves exploiting the potential in "cannabinoids" (chemical compounds that are the active ingredients in marijuana).
    The marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called "cannabinoids" . Each one has a different effect on the body.  -   
    The science behind these compounds are fascinating  ▪  Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine  .   THC also produces the "high" people feel when they smoke marijuana or eat foods containing it. Marijuana can be administered medically  without the " high"  as the  ( THC) can be isolated and purified  thereby removing   the psychoactive properties of cannabis.
    If there is any medical role for cannabinoid drugs or cannibis , it lies with  the chemically defined compounds, not with unprocessed cannabis plant.

   Legalization of cannabis is the process of removing all legal prohibitions against it. Cannabis would then be available to the adult general population for purchase and use at will, similar to tobacco and alcohol.   
  Decriminalization is the act of removing criminal sanctions against an act, article, or behavior. Decriminalization of cannabis means it would remain illegal, but the legal system would not prosecute a person for possession under a specified amount. Instead, the penalties would range from no penalties at all, civil fines, drug education, or drug treatment.
  if marijuana legalization moves forward and the federal government holds back on enforcement.
Obtaining Senate approval would be difficult. But difficult does not mean impossible.

♧ Medicinal Use of Cannabis:

   Scientists are beginning to explore cannibis as a  source for new medicine with a potential to cure a wide range of diseases. As many  pharmaceutical drugs based on cannibis are already  legally available as  prescription drugs.
    Clinical and scientific research suggests cannabinoids have the potential to treat a wide  variety of diseases  and can also help to ;

•Reduce anxiety
•Reduce inflammation and relieve pain
•Control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy
•Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
•Relax tight muscles in people with MS
•Stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS.
•  treatment for multiple sclerosis, glaucoma , pain and many more .
  
 pharmaceutical products derived from cannabis with high  clinical benefits and  lower  potential for abuse include ~

☆  Sativex
 Sativex is currently used to treat spasticity (muscle spasms and stiffness) caused by multiple sclerosis. It is composed of two compounds found in marijuana: THC and cannabidiol, or CBD, which isn't psychoactive. The drug, delivered through a vaporizer, is approved in 25 countries
☆ Marinol and cesamet
Used  for the treatment of nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy and is also prescribed to AIDS patients suffering from loss of appetite. The drug is made of a synthetic form of THC and is delivered as an oral capsule.

 
  Those against medical marijuana emphasize that  We already have good medicines out there for every ailment that marijuana is reported to help relieve  - including symptoms for cancer and AIDS . They further argue that

》legalizing cannibis sends out the message that the drug is safe which will inturn increase illegal use by teenagers .
》 Marijuana is addictive, and dependence on the drug will increase with legalization.
》 Commercialized marijuana will create a “Big Marijuana” industry that exploits people for profit and targets children.
   Various side effects of cannibis smoking such as loss of coordination , distorted perception , paranoia ,agitation ,hallucinations & delusion and many more other forms of substance use disorders Also stand as a strong case against The Legalization of cannibis for medicinal or recreational  use .

The question still remains
 SHOULD CANNABIS BE LEGAL  ? .
 -What has led one country after another to move towards a relaxation of their laws and in many cases, outright legalisation  ?

       ~After   assessing the potential risks and benefits of medicinal  marijuana it is left to the consumer to decide .

Decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana puts the power to decide in the hands of the consumer .. It appears therefore that it is not the benefit of active cannabis ingredients, but the route of administration.
 _as Alcohol and tobacco are legal, the legal status of cannibis should also be reviewed  . Afterall cannibis comes with a lot of medicinal properties  unlike alcohol or tobacco.
It should also be highlighted that legalizing cannibis lies  with  the chemically defined compounds, not with the unprocessed cannabis plant.
Advocacy groups always point- out that legalizing cannibis  gives the public   access to a wide range of pharmaceutical products used to treat a wide variety of diseases.

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Nigeria as a country can tap into the  global market of Medicinal cannabis   put at over 70 billion Dollars -  controlled cultivation of medical cannabis for export will generate billions in internal revenue and provide jobs and employment for thousands.  Various products like CBD Oil, cannabis beverage and also tax revenue from legal sales of marijuana products is anticipated to positively influence growth.
With countries worldwide such as Uruguay, South Africa, Canada, Jamaica, Netherlands,Portugal, Spain,France, Germany , United States , Mexico and the united kingdom moving towards some form of legalisation, others are rushing to catch  up , it would be profitable for the Nigerian farmers to have access to the potentially lucrative medicinal cannabis markets that are developing. This is not to say there  won't be any form of regulations  - Countries can only import and export medicinal cannabis under a licensing system supervised by the International Narcotics Control Board.

 https://www.nairaland.com/6559791/benjamin-kalu-move-legalise-indian

 https://www.nairaland.com/6592588/legalise-cultivation-cannabis-akeredolu-urges

https://www.nairaland.com/6337278/reps-legalise-use-sale-cannabis

https://www.nairaland.com/6801680/ghana-legalizes-cannabis