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Scientists, stakeholders brainstorm at the Nigerian Academy of Science workshop on cannabinoids use
There are indications that Nigeria will soon join the league of major exporters of cannabis oil, also known as CBD, a chemical found in marijuana, largely grown in large quantities in Nigeria.
The global cannabis oil market is considered to be huge at $7.2bn, currently, but is projected to be about $39.7bn by 2034.
The usual CBD formulation is a vaporised liquid oil sold as an extract and does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high.
As part of efforts to harness the abundance of the huge potentials from the specie of marijuana that grows freely in Nigeria, Buba Marwa, chairman/chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said the Agency is considering “controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil to countries who desire it, while remaining opposed to its local consumption.”
If the policy is adopted, it is likely to change the current law around the cultivation and use of the plant, as Nigeria currently forbids the cultivation and use of marijuana.
The law also doesn’t differentiate between CBD and THC-rich marijuana, as any “part of the plant of the genus Cannabis” is illegal, meaning that CBD and CBD products are prohibited in Nigeria.
But speaking at a stakeholders workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria”, organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday, Marwa described the dialogue on cannabis oil as “a welcome development.”
“At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue. We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends.”
Marwa, who noted that although Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, added that “it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety.
“This is why scientists, medical experts, policymakers, and regulators must be in the same room to bring facts to the table, scrutinise evidence, and weigh options carefully.
” Let me assure you that NDLEA is not opposed to science, nor are we indifferent to innovation. What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen—not weaken—our fight against drug abuse.”
The Agency had been at the forefront of fighting the illicit drug trade in Nigeria, where it is estimated that about 14% of the population engages in substance abuse.
The NDLEA recently revealed that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of misuse of cannabis worldwide.
“For a country already grappling with 14.4 percent substance abuse prevalence rate as against the global average of 5.6 percent and a staggering figure of 10.6 million cannabis users based on the last drug use survey report of 2018, the risks associated with cannabis cannot be dismissed. Rather, the reality should remind us that while cannabis oil may have medical potential, its dangers are real and must be addressed with strong safeguards before any policy shift is considered.”
Read also: Marwa sees NDLEA sniffer dog facility boosting illicit drugs fight.
The anti-narcotic agency said it is “not be averse to the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies and countries who desire it, as part of our drive as a country to enhance foreign earnings.”
It is on record that while some countries have approved the use of cannabis oil for therapeutic purposes, others, including Nigeria, have yet to.
“Our concern however is about its consumption in Nigeria. In essence, we are not opposed to the idea of exporting the oil to those who desire it but such must be strictly controlled, licensed and monitored by NDLEA with such process located only within export free zones”, Marwa stated
Explaining the position of the Agency further, the NDLEA boss said the conversation is necessary because “we are talking about Cannabis, which is not just another plant. It is a substance with complex medical, social, and economic dimensions
“For decades, the debate has been one-sided. Advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil, while its risks and consequences are glossed over. This, no doubt, informs the decision by us at the NDLEA to commission an ongoing study on cannabis oil by this respected apex body of scientists, the Nigerian Academy of Science.
“In a country like Nigeria, which is already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance. Till today, much of the public debate highlights the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil and the commercial value of its export.
“What about the risks? Evidence shows that cannabis, including its oil extracts, can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people. The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment. In addition, dependence and addiction are real concerns as well. In reality, these side effects create additional social and economic costs for families, communities and society at large.”
The NDLEA boss highlights a fundamental issue of “lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries means products sold as ‘cannabis oil’ often vary in potency, contain contaminants, or are misused outside of medical supervision.”
He called on scientists to come up with measures to mitigate the consequences of illicit drug cultivation and production is the decision by the Agency, as the first in Africa, to introduce an alternative development project in 2023.
According to him, “The Alternative Development Project demands ethical responsibility and commitment to develop transformative policies and humanitarian responses to mitigate drug-related problems and end the complexities and violence of the war on drugs in Nigeria and globally.”
Abubakar Sambo, president of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), who was represented by the vice president, Friday Okonofua, noted that several research studies have considered various uses of cannabis and its side effects.
He said the workshop was aimed at reaching a consensus on the contentious issue of the use of cannabis oil.
“At the end of the day, we’ll have evidence-based consensus work, which will be properly documented that will lead us to decide what we should be doing regarding the use of cannabis in this country”, he stated.
Also contributing, Musbau Akanbi, chairman of the NAS study committee on cannabis oil use, commended NDLEA for being proactive and working with the Academy to obtain a science-driven guide for Nigeria.
“As we all know, cannabis oil is extracted from cannabis, and the legalisation of the use of the oil would translate to large-scale cultivation of the weed itself. The Nigerian Academy of Science consequently constituted the consensus study committee on the cannabis oil debate, comprising experts in all fields that had to do with the study request.
“The committee collected a lot of literature on the subject matter from all over the world, reviewed what is happening in other lands, and decided to arrange this workshop where experts from various related fields will come together with stakeholders and present evidence that will be collated to assist NDLEA in carrying out its honest responsibility.”
Samuel Adekola, who represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state noted that, “this all-important workshop will offer our great country, Nigeria, the opportunity to move from debate to design, from potential to policies and I urge all participants to contribute constructively so that together we can rise to craft a model that not only benefit the consumers of health, also the sunshine state and Nigeria, but also position our nation as a leader on the African continent in this emerging field.
“Let us proceed with vision, with courage, and with unity of purpose.”
In his keynote address, Oye Gureje, director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, University of Ibadan, stated that cumulative evidence suggests that “cannabis has some limited medical use”, and “widespread recreational use is likely to lead to increased risk of psychosis”, while “public health may be moderately affected by increased use (e.g. road accidents).”
