Marijuana In Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

We all should be allowed the freedom to do whatever we want with our lives. Marijuana should be legalized in Nigeria which could help in the development growth of the country. Marijuana is obtained from the cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine. Countries which have legalized marijuana have seen improvements in so many areas such as revenues, employment and crime rates and also health care systems. Legalizing marijuana will help a country like Nigeria exceedingly. Marijuana use in Nigeria should be legalized for both medicinal and casual. Authorizing the use will help Nigeria’s economy, increase in employment rate and decrease in crime rate, medicinal use will also help the

“Several reports put Nigeria’s unemployment rate at about 24 per cent; and 60 per cent of the country’s population are youths, translating to about 80 million Nigeria youths. Youth unemployment rate is over 50 per cent; about 64 million Nigeria youths are unemployed. To think that there are 64 million able body human beings without means of any livelihood is mind boggling. For a nation without any social programs – welfare or unemployment stipend, these 64 million Nigerians live each day looking to survive by all means necessary including involvements in violent criminal acts that constantly threaten the security of the populace” (www.businessdayonline.com). This is very pitiful considering the fact that the country is enthroned with a lot of human and natural resources which is more than enough to provide jobs for the youth. The Legalization of marijuana should help in the increase of employment. In Nigeria marijuana is consumed by 22 per cent of the people (NBF News 22nd November 2010). From the NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) statistics in Nigeria, drug offences had galloped to an alarming level in ten years. In 1990 there were 13 drug prosecutions, which skyrocketed to 1720 incidents in 2008 and 1571 cases in 2009. (NBF News 22nd November 2010). Authorizing the use of the drug will create fewer incidents and save money. Employment rates will

Few users suffer from panic attacks and anxiety. Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more cancer-causing substances than tobacco smoke. One major research study reported that a single cannabis joint could cause as much damage to the lungs as up to five regular cigarettes smoked one after another. Long-time joint smokers often suffer from bronchitis, an inflammation of the respiratory tract (drugfreeworld.org). Refute: Drug abuse is the excessive use of prescribed and over the counter drugs. The excessive use by individuals make it harmful to their systems. The usage of marijuana can be regulated through its legalization. Authorising the usage of marijuana will create more awareness so each individual will have the right to use the drug or