As the world witnesses a rapid expansion of cannabis markets following its acceptance for medical and recreational use, the global market, valued at $18 billion in 2023, is projected to hit an astonishing $231 billion by 2035. Ironically, this development is feared to present a huge contrast for West Africa as the expansion of cannabis market may fuel higher illicit activities and drug abuse within its borders, underscoring an urgent need for responses to halt the spread of polydrugs in the sub-region, OLUDARE RICHARDS writes.
The wide presence of cannabis in polydrug combinations is posing a significant threat to West Africa and hindering any potential benefit for the sub-region from the legitimate global cannabis market particularly, in the medical sector.
The global cannabis market, currently valued at $47.76 billion is projected to hit $231 billion by 2035 owing greatly to its increasing use as a therapeutic agent.
In 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) voiced strong concerns about emerging and increasingly prevalent use of drugs across Africa. From ‘Kush’ in West Africa to ‘White Pipe’ and ‘Whoonga’ (also known as ‘Nyaope’) in Southern Africa, the rising trend of psychoactive drug use aligns with a projection from Emerald Insights indicating a global move towards polydrug consumption.
Also in 2024, the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) reported the devastating impact of ‘Kush’, particularly in Sierra Leone, where it is estimated to cause a dozen deaths weekly and hospitalisation of thousands. This emerging drug has been seized extensively in The Gambia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, and there are reports of its presence in Guinea and Liberia, countries bordering Sierra Leone.
A disturbing trend indicates increased use of these new substances, particularly ‘Kush’, among young people, including those in secondary schools.
ECOWAS emphasised the urgent need for a regional response and preventive measures to halt the spread of polydrugs in the sub-region.
To combat this epidemic, the WENDU Report recommended a multi-pronged approach – developing interventions to reduce both drug supply and demand, intensifying drug abuse prevention awareness campaigns, establishing more rehabilitation centres for addiction, conducting large-scale national epidemiological studies on drug abuse, funding research and sustainable demand reduction capacities, and strengthening law enforcement.
Findings show that the critical factor linking these emerging drugs to West Africa is the consistent presence of cannabis in their composition.
‘Kush’, especially its notable Sierra Leonean variant, is a dangerous concoction of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, and even, controversially, human bones.
Similarly, ‘Nyaope’ (or ‘Whoonga’) in Southern Africa is a blend of tobacco and cannabis mixed with heroin and antiretroviral drugs used in AIDS treatment, some of which are hallucinogenic. Another polydrug, ‘White Pipe’, also consumed in Southern Africa, combines methaqualone (Mandrax) with cannabis and tobacco. These inexpensive polydrugs offer a false escape from unemployment, poverty, and abuse.
At the presentation of the ‘2023 WENDU Report: Statistics and Trends on Illicit Drug Supply and Drug Use’ in Freetown, Sierra Leone, First Counsellor and Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone, Mr. Gerald Hatler, lamented the severe threat that substance abuse poses to global workforces, underscoring the importance of evidence-based analysis for effective prevention.
Aligning with this, the Executive Director of Sierra Leone’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Andrew Jail Kaikai, called for continued action in the fight for a drug-free West Africa.
A UNODC report reveals that drug seizures have dramatically increased in the West African Sahel region, confirming its growing importance as a drug trafficking route.
UNODC Regional Representative in West Africa, Amado Philip de Andrés, explained that the Sahel’s geographical position, south of the Sahara and extending from the Atlantic, makes it a natural transit point for illicit substances. He added that the involvement of various armed groups in drug trafficking undermines regional peace and stability, providing financial resources to extremist groups that have proliferated amid recent coups.
Research from Maynooth University indicates that cannabis is the most commonly used drug in polydrug contexts.
A publication by the National Library of Medicine of the National Centre for Biotechnology Information highlights that cannabis use, particularly cannabis concentrates, is linked to a higher likelihood of subsequent illicit drug initiation and polydrug use.
While the presence of cannabis in polydrug use varies based on individual patterns and specific drugs, its inclusion is notably probable in some West African countries, including Nigeria, owing to local cultivation and consumption habits.
Cannabis is a relatively easy-to-grow and profitable crop, contributing to its integration into local farming and trafficking networks. Despite cannabis being illegal in Nigeria, with severe penalties for possession, the country is a significant source and consumer of West African-grown cannabis.
A 2019 proposal by the Ondo State governor for medical cannabis legalisation is the only notable recent legislative effort, though the Indian Hemp Decree of 1966 strictly prohibits its growth, production, and sale nationwide.
Professor S.T. Balogun of the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Department at the University of Maiduguri described Nigeria’s drug abuse situation as alarming, with devastating social, health, and economic consequences. He noted that drug abuse transcends societal boundaries, affecting all demographics, and estimated that “about two to four in 10 Nigerians abuse a substance.”
To curb drug demand, Balogun suggested reducing the underlying causes of abuse by creating jobs for the youth, improving security to combat crime, establishing anti-drug abuse clubs in educational institutions, increasing research funding, and engaging religious leaders to educate their congregations on the dangers of drug abuse.
On addressing cross-border drug flow, Balogun recommended recruiting more immigration officers to secure Nigeria’s porous borders, retraining existing personnel, and deploying advanced technology like drones for surveillance. He also emphasised the strategic role of law enforcement, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), acknowledging their recent commitment. He proposed additional measures for the NDLEA, including mandatory drug screening for political office holders, civil servants, law enforcement agents, and students.
The expert further suggested that the President, governors, and other political office holders should yearly declare their drug abuse status, with those found in violation being relieved of their duties and sent for rehabilitation. Additionally, he recommended special licences for importing potentially abusive drugs and enhanced monitoring of the supply chain.
Prof. Balogun clarified that his recommendations do not diminish the NDLEA’s existing efforts but aim to address the evolving dynamics of illicit drug movement, including the emergence of new drugs and trends.
Commander of the NDLEA, Tincan Island, Port Strategic Command, Lagos, Mitchell Ofoyeju, recently expressed concern over the growing demand for imported cannabis after a significant seizure of Canadian-grown cannabis in Lagos. He attributed this preference to the allure of exotic products over local ones, higher potency, and the legal status of recreational cannabis in Canada.
Officers under his Command had discovered 63.75 kg of Canadian-grown cannabis indica hidden in mattresses during a routine inspection of containers from Montreal, Canada. Ofoyeju noted that the imported drugs fetch a much higher price, driving traffickers’ desperation to smuggle them into the country.
While the average tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in Canadian- cannabis typically ranges from 10 per cent to over 25 per cent, overall cannabis strains now average 15 per cent to 20 per cent, with some reaching as high as 35 per cent.
Concentrates like wax, rosin, shatter, and hash oil typically contain 60 per cent to 90 per cent THC, while kief and hash range from 50 per cent to 80 per cent. Cannabis strains are generally categorised as Sativa (energetic, euphoric), Indica (calming, relaxing), or a hybrid of both.
Most modern strains are hybrids to some degree. The purity and THC levels of unprocessed cannabis are difficult to determine without testing, as they depend on cultivation methods and strain.
Although some users interviewed expressed a preference for imported Canadian-cannabis due to its perceived higher potency, experts suggest that THC levels in cannabis of any origin can vary significantly based on strain and cultivation.
Through an undercover investigation, it became apparent that some individuals’ addiction to psychoactive drugs had progressed beyond simply smoking cannabis.
Balo, a chronic addict, appeared to be a shadow of his former self, a stark contrast to a photo of his sister, Simbi.
Simbi revealed that Balo, a Nigerian of dual citizenship with an American passport, returned from the U.S. two years after losing his medical licence due to drug use and failing certain tests.
She confessed that his chronic cannabis addiction began before he relocated to the U.S. 15 years ago. “I’m unsure how he spiraled from ‘pot’ addiction to morphine and other weird combinations,” she said.
“Although he’s not suicidal right now, we’d like to keep an eye on him. We had to compel him to return to Nigeria until we figure things out. He’s still in a state of withdrawal.”
While psychoactive drug abuse is largely reported with negative connotations, many users argue that cannabis use isn’t always detrimental. Millions of adult Nigerians, for instance, claim to have used the drug since their teenage years without abusing it.
Some cannabis users assert that it boosts their productivity and creativity, or that they use it for harmless recreational purposes.
Bolaji (real names withheld), a drummer in a Lagos-based music band, was seen with a ‘Loud’ cannabis roll before a wedding performance. He explained his preference for this variant, stating that it provides the mental shift needed to effectively synchronise with his band.
However, he admitted to being so addicted that he requires it, often with an alcoholic blend, to sleep.
Abbass, an automobile dealer in Nasarawa State, recently developed a preference for a blend of cannabis mix but does not consider himself addicted, claiming he can abstain. Yet, he noted it helps him eat and sleep better, depending on how he consumes it.
Bisi, a Lagos-based fabric wholesale store owner, openly acknowledged her addiction to cannabis (and certain blends she wouldn’t divulge), defending it as a means to regulate her temperament and stabilise her mood swings.
She confessed her addiction narrowed her dating pool, limiting her choices to partners who shared her habit to some degree, especially Shisha sharing moments.
Basit, an architect residing in the UK with dual citizenship, offered a different perspective. He spoke of the liberties afforded by dual nationality, particularly in a European country. He noted that medically supported cannabis in the UK is difficult to access, forcing him to acquire it “off the street.”
He stated that the U.S. is the only place he has been able to purchase marijuana from a dispensary, adding that it is legal only in some states, especially the primarily considered medical grade. But he insists there are always sources of procurement.
He highlighted the availability of various cannabis flavours and branded products there, adding: “It is nothing like I experience in Nigeria. I know this because I grew up on the streets of Lagos.”
The legality of cannabis, encompassing possession, distribution, cultivation, and medical conditions for its use, varies globally. These policies are largely governed by three United Nations treaties – the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
Cannabis, scheduled under the Single Convention, was reclassified in 2020 as a Schedule 1-only drug, indicating its addictive nature with a serious risk of abuse, while still allowing countries to permit its medical use and potentially regulate non-medical cannabis industries under Article 2, paragraph 9.
Numerous countries have legalised medical cannabis use, including Canada, Germany, Israel, and the United Kingdom, among others. Some have more restrictive laws, permitting only specific cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals.
In the United States, 39 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia have legalised medical cannabis, but it remains prohibited at the federal level. Only Canada and Uruguay have fully legalised cannabis nationwide.
The U.S. cannabis market is a rapidly expanding and complex industry, with both medical and recreational legalisation progressing across states.
In 2023, the U.S. led the world in legal adult-use cannabis sales, reaching over $30 billion ($10 billion medical, $20 billion recreational), with projections exceeding $33 billion.
New state markets, such as New York and Virginia, are significantly contributing to this growth, with California being the largest single cannabis market globally, surpassing even Canada.
Following the U.S., Canada, which legalised cannabis nationwide in 2018, represents the second-largest market. Germany’s new coalition government has indicated plans for cannabis legalisation, potentially making it Europe’s largest legal adult-use market and a test case for other European nations.
While more countries permit cannabis consumption, this doesn’t always translate to larger markets, as some, like Mexico and Malta, have legalised personal consumption and cultivation but not recreational sales.
Afghanistan is a major global producer of cannabis resin due to its high yields.The multi-billion dollar cannabis industry has attracted significant investment.
Curaleaf, based in the United States, is the world’s largest cannabis grower by revenue, followed by Green Thumb Industries, Aphria, and Organigram Inc. Innovative Industrial, a cannabis Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), leads in market capitalisation, while Trulieve is the largest cannabis retailer by number of locations.In 2023, the Czech Republic and Germany were the largest importers of cannabis, accounting for 20 per cent and 17.3 per cent of global imports, respectively.
Cannabis is most expensive in Tokyo, averaging $32.66 per gramme, while it is cheapest in Quito, Ecuador ($1.34), and Bogota, Colombia ($2.20).
Ironically, the UK is the world’s largest producer and exporter of legal cannabis for medical and scientific use, despite its government maintaining that cannabis has no medical use — a stance criticised by drug policy reform groups.
Recreational cannabis remains illegal in the UK, classified as a Class B drug with penalties for possession, production, distribution, or sale.
Morocco, where cannabis has been cultivated for centuries, is a top producer of hashish and, as of 2024, the world’s leading supplier of cannabis.
Given the pervasive negative perception and high propensity for cannabis to be a key ingredient in psychoactive substances, widespread cannabis legalisation in West Africa appears unlikely in the coming years.
Only Morocco and Ghana have notably adopted laws recognising the therapeutic use of cannabis, which strictly limits its legal application to medicine, cosmetics, and certain industrial purposes.
