LANRE ADEWOLE, SHOLA ADEKOLA, LEKAN OLABULO, AYOMIDE OWONIBI and SHEHU BELLO tried to make sense of the new marijuana culture in Lagos State.
THERE are now proofs that members of the elite in Lagos State have been consuming hemp seeds and top grade cannabis in the name of higher-level protein. This class of people includes nursing mothers who have been garnishing their salad and that of their children with the so-called “wonder seeds”.
A major pronouncement, last week, by the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) settled the controversy over hemp seeds selling like hot cake in Lagos supermarkets. The agency’s spokesperson, Michel Ofoyeju, told Saturday Tribune that the seeds, made available to the agency by
Saturday Tribune, tested positive for marijuana following a forensic laboratory test. The product is without the approval and number of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC.
Supermarket boom
Despite the product being practically swept out of the supermarket shelves, making it one of the fastest selling edible products, going by Saturday Tribune’s findings while posing as a buyer, both NDLEA and NAFDAC never heard of it until Saturday Tribune brought it to their notice. When Saturday Tribune got across to a NAFDAC director, Jimoh Abubakar, on Thursday, he asked again, “you mean hemp seeds?” He was very emphatic that regardless of the so-called health purposes the seeds purportedly serve, the product remained illegal as long as it wasn’t with the agency’s number.
With all the requisite details made available to him, he gave the assurance that the Lagos end of the agency would be swinging into action immediately.
In the supermarkets where Saturday Tribune confirmed the product was being sold, you can now walk in and buy the hemp seeds, neatly tucked in a glittering pack and still walk away with receipts to authenticate your patronage.
Apart from the hemp seeds, many other products are reportedly on the shelves of major supermarkets in the state, garnished with banned stimulants and being sold in the open.
Weed everywhere
It isn’t that hemp, whether fibre or seed, is so difficult to come by. Nearly everywhere in the country, there are millions of smokers patronising that variety of cannabis despite the various legislations making its unregulated consumption illegal in the country.
Until the discovery by Saturday Tribune, hemp, despite its high consumption everywhere by both the low and the mighty in the society, is still sold with some measure of secrecy. Even ladies who patronise the weed for hair treatment testify they don’t just go pick on open shelves in a supermarket and walk away with receipt.
A Saturday Tribune source who does regular weed patronage to help her hair growth disclosed that although the stuff is sold by some “bad boys” behind her house, she still has to discreetly demand for the stuff over a not-too-high wall separating their compounds and throw the money to the other side after collecting “the stuff”.
Hemp salad
A Saturday Tribune correspondent, however, got a new shocking orientation from a girl who usually brought a different kind of salad to her place of assignment. The dark substance in the salad never made much sense to her until the reporter casually requested from her the kind of seedlings in the salad and her friend gleefully declared it “hemp seeds”.
“She told me how nutritious the seeds are and the unbelievable protein source they could be to the system,” the reporter said.
Trailing the seeds
Then the search for the “wonder seed” began for Saturday Tribune. The first visit was fruitless as the stock had been cleared out. Two supermarkets pointed to Saturday Tribune had none on their shelves. Could it be that the long hand of the law had reached them? Saturday Tribune wondered. Days after showed that the question was needless. They were still in business. The packs were back on the shelves and Saturday Tribune got one and it didn’t come cheap. It was N3,000 per pack despite not being cleared for consumption.
Saturday Tribune also got receipted for the patronage. The days between the first visit to the supermarket and when the package was eventually got were also full of drama. Initially, when Saturday Tribune’s reporter got across to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to seek clarification on whether hemp seed could be sold in the open, the agency made immediate attempt to go for the stock and get all the packs confiscated for test but inexplicably met none there.
Ironically, Saturday Tribune bought a pack from the same store the next day. Almost immediately the agency got wind of the seed being re-stocked, another visit returned negative search. However, the agency had to eventually rely on Saturday Tribune to lay its hands on a pack but not directly from the shelves of any of the stores. It could not be established if someone somewhere was tipping the stores about the planned raids.
From Canada with smoke
Though the hemp seeds are being bagged by Gourment Nut with address given as 3611 14th Ave. Brooklyn NY 11218, United States of America, the company pointed out on the pack that the hemp seeds, which are the main ingredients, are product of Canada. Saturday Tribune’s checks showed that while hemp or marijuana in whatever form isn’t yet legal in Canada, the country’s leader, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in April 2017, sent a bill to the parliament seeking to make the consumption of marijuana legal in the country. Marijuana is, however, legal in some American states like Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada.
Gourment also explained that the hemp seed packs were “manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts/nuts”. The pack got by Saturday Tribune from a supermarket located at Ogudu GRA, Lagos, on 29 May, 2017 at exactly 4.02.53 p.m. reads “Best BY 3/17/18” suggesting 17th March 2018, with batch no 6 0972284434 5.
In the item column, the receipt reads “GOURMT NUT HEM” with the “P” in “Hemp” omitted and “Seeds” not reflecting at all.
In marketing the package’s benefits, the company says “hemp seeds contain all nine essential amino acids and are a rich source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, which may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. They are also a great source of protein contain high amounts of trace minerals, including magnesium, iron and potassium as well as Vitamin E and antioxidants”.
Potential users were then invited to “try sprinkling hemp seeds over a salad as a topping on granola or mixed in a smoothie”.
The promo on the pack must have got Saturday Tribune’s original source hooked on it, particularly the aspect on topping salad with the seeds. The source told our correspondent that the “topped salad” is always “stimulating”.
The benefits of the seeds are also listed to include “10 grams of protein per serving. Gourmet Nut 100 whole grain. Hemp seeds are nutritional superfood High in protein, Omega 3 and contain all nine essential amino acids. Packed with 10g of protein and Vitamin E. Net WT 340g.” The nutritional facts; serving size 1oz (28g) serving per container 12, Calories 163, fat Cal 118.
There is also a long list of vitamin benefits like total fat 13g or 19%, sat fat 1g or 5%, Trans fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg. Sodium 0mg, Total Carb 2g or 1%, Dietary Fiber 1g or 4%, Sugars 0g, Protein 10g, Vitamin A, C 0%, Calcium 0%, Iron 15%. Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Saturday Tribune got across to Gourmet Nut, the maker of the product, through its website, www.GourmentNut.com, which is the only contact point provided on the hemp seed package, to ask why the product didn’t go through NAFDAC validation process.
As of press time, no response had been received.
The product was sighted by Saturday Tribune in a supermarket in Opebi, in its numbers, comfortably perched on the shelf.
Hawking Igbo on the street
If the packaged marijuana from America is considered a bit exorbitant in cost for an average hemp smoker, the streets of Lagos are providing cheaper products for those in lower economic class. Invariably, there is Igbo for every interested person, elite or commoner. Saturday Tribune went in search of this product on the streets and it wasn’t too difficult getting contacts to fish the product out.
When Saturday Tribune visited a bar in the Ikosi Ketu area, it was observed that a corner of the bar was surreptitiously used by Indian hemp sellers who engage in the business. The bar was bubbling with people and also with those engaging in other legal business activities like drinks, suya and pepper soup.
It was observed that a hemp buyer, after locating the seller, would walk close to him or her and transaction would follow. It was also noticed that sellers at times move around looking for prospective customers who would be interested in buying hemp while in the bar.
During the visit to an Indian hemp joint in Akute, on the outskirts of Lagos, it was observed that those engaged in the illicit trade use abandoned and uncompleted buildings around the Jolasco area of the community. A known smoker in Jolasco, Akute, who was approached by Saturday Tribune, said the area around Jolasco is filled with Indian hemp sellers and smokers.
The smoker asked Saturday Tribune’s reporter the variety he desired, asking if he wanted Sk or smoke, which is also known as Skunk or Igbo. When Saturday Tribune said Igbo, he told the reporter he should tell the sellers whenever he got to their joint that he needed smoke and not Igbo in order not to appear like a novice.
When the reporter got to the joint, it was filed with young boys puffing smoke from their sticks. The seller approached by Saturday Tribune asked what the reporter wanted, to which he said smoke with the seller also demanding the amount. When Saturday Tribune said N100 in two pieces, it was observed that the weed had already been wrapped by the seller and was just handed over to the reporter.
It was the hemp smoker in Jolasco who told Saturday Tribune that hemp price varied and that it depended on the amount buyers wanted. When pressed further on the commonest portion most buyers go, he said it would range from N100 to N500, depending on buyer’s request. “We have N100, N200, N300 and at times people ask to buy more than N500 and even going to N1000,” he said.
Another hemp smoker who didn’t want his name in print disclosed that the prices of hemp had gone up, as it was sold for as low N50 before the hike. “We basically get it for as low as N50, but now the price now starts from N100 up to any amount you want. I think the recession affected the price of Indian hemp, even skunk price too went up and these are things we use to relax our body. At times, season could affect sales also”.
Police react
The image maker of the state police command, Olarinde Famous-Cole, stated that the police had always combed places where Indian hemp was being sold in many parts of the state. He added that the Special Task Force on the environment had been working with relevant agencies of the state government to clamp down on Indian hemp spots and other black spots.
“That is why we have the task force. They have been clamping down on places where such drugs are sold and even black spots where people smoke them. They are working with agencies of the Lagos State government in that direction. The task force is part of the Lagos state police command,” Famous-Cole said.
Mental health expert speaks
In a telephone interview, a consultant psychiatrist, Dr Olayinka Atilola, said the entire plant of marijuana has the same active ingredient.
“I will be surprised over your claim that packaged marijuana seed is now sold Nigeria, because marijuana is illegal in Nigeria. Whether fibre or seed, it is illegal. The entire plant has the same active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, which can be found in every part of marijuana. So, I am very surprised to hear this.”
When asked if the seed could also aid violence, Dr Atilola said he wouldn’t want to stereotype but everything that could be attributed to fibre is also found in every part of the plant.
Ghana connection
The multiple unmanned and poorly-manned borders in Lagos likely account for the unprecedented surge in marijuana consumption in the state despite being dubbed illegal by the law of the land.
Occasional bursting of such “importation” by law enforcers shows the massive movement of marijuana into the country. Penultimate Friday, May 26, anti-narcotic officials with the Seme Border command of the National NDLEA, Lagos, intercepted 5,863 kilogrammes of compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis.
“The illicit drug consignments originating from the republic of Ghana through the waterways were seized in two separate operations at Badagry, Lagos State,” the agency said in a statement.
Four suspected drug traffickers, including a Ghanaian, were arrested in connection with the seized drugs worth N60 million, according to the agency, while two vehicles used in conveying the drug were impounded.
NDLEA commander at Seme Border, Udotong Essien, said the twin shipments of cannabis were made within 48 hours.
“The first consignment of cannabis weighing 3,525kg was discovered in a clandestine warehouse where a Ghanaian and two female Nigerians were apprehended. The suspects are a 38-year-old Ghanaian, Adoboe Nana Shelter, as well as two female Nigerians, Falilat Sadiq and Mary Ige Joseph, both 39 years old.
“The following day, the command made a similar seizure of cannabis weighing 2,338kg being smuggled in a bus meant for distribution in Lagos. A male suspect, Bola Adigun, was equally arrested in respect of the second seizure,” Essien said.
The NDLEA said the criminal group specialised in smuggling compressed cannabis through the waterways into the country and using yellow commercial buses to supply to dealers within Lagos. They also allegedly used ladies who pretended to be legitimate traders conveying their wares to preferred destinations, the agency added.
The Ghanaian who claimed to be a fisherman said in his statement that he illegally imported cannabis into the country because of the anticipated financial gain involved.
According to him, “I am a fisherman from Volta region in Ghana. A friend introduced me into hemp business because of the profit. The two women work with me in distributing the drug in Lagos. This is my first arrest and I promise to quit drug trafficking if released.”
The NDLEA chairman, Muhammad Abdallah, described the seizures as a victory against the activities of drug trafficking syndicates working at Seme border.
“I am very pleased with the latest seizure by Seme border command. The illicit activities of the criminal group have been closely monitored by undercover officers until it was expedient to intercept the drugs. This is a sweet victory for the agency and a demonstration of our capacity to dislodge drug trafficking groups in the country.
“We are taking legal steps to sanction those arrested for smuggling the drugs and also forfeit both the warehouse and vehicles used in conveying the drugs. These are essential elements in ensuring absolute dismantling of drug trafficking cartels. Let me warn that the entire border and water ways are under our watch to uncover drug smuggling and prosecute offenders in accordance with the NDLEA Act,” Abdallah noted.
The NDLEA boss urged security agencies to collaborate towards the common goal of enhancing national security and called on members of the public to report suspected drug activities in their neighbourhood to the agency for prompt action, adding that the suspects would soon be charged to court.
Hemp history
Wikipedia says : “Hemp is a variety of cannabis that is grown for the fiber and seeds. The fiber and seeds are incredibly valuable and is why hemp is often called a ‘cash crop’. Hemp is a very hearty plant and grows very quickly in very diverse soil conditions. Cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes has been done by many civilizations for over 12,000 years. Industrial hemp was the desired fiber used to manufacture rope, canvas, paper, and clothing until alternative textiles and synthetics for these purposes were discovered.
Although China has been the largest hemp producer over the years, other countries such as Australia and Canada are catching up. It has been illegal for anyone to grow hemp in the United States as hemp is illegal under the marijuana prohibition act but Colorado has changed the laws and paved the way for industrial hemp production again in the United States. Now hemp oils, hemp plastics, hemp building materials and many hemp fiber products can be seen and purchased on the market. Hemp is truly an amazing plant with the potential to help ‘green up’ many industries”.


http://tribuneonlineng.com/indian-hemp-salad-sold-lagos-supermarkets-investigating-ndlea/