The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. General Mohammed Marwa (rtd), has said the agency is open to the regulated export of cannabis oil to countries that require it but remains firmly opposed to its local consumption. He made the statement at a stakeholders’ workshop on “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science yesterday in Abuja.

Marwa stressed the importance of informed discussions on cannabis oil. He said: “At the 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.

“Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety.” He acknowledged the medicinal potential of cannabis oil but warned about the risks of misuse and health concerns.

He assured that the NDLEA is not against scientific advancement but insists on caution to protect public health. “Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen, not weaken, our fight against drug abuse,” Marwa said.

He reiterated that while the NDLEA supports the controlled export of cannabis oil, such activity must be “strictly controlled, licensed, and monitored by NDLEA, with the process located only within export free zones.”

Addressing the complexities of cannabis as both a social and economic issue, Marwa noted that “advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil, while its risks and consequences are glossed over.”

He pointed to the alarming prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria, highlighting that the country has one of the highest rates of cannabis use globally. “For a country already grappling with a 14.4 per cent substance abuse prevalence rate, the risks associated with cannabis cannot be dismissed,” he added.

Marwa also introduced the Alternative Development Project aimed at combating illicit drug cultivation and improving livelihoods. “This project will focus on reducing vulnerabilities like ignorance, poverty, and unemployment that propel individuals into illicit economies,” he explained.

President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof Abubakar Sambo, said the workshop aimed to reach a consensus on cannabis oil use. He stated: “At the end of the day, we’ll have evidence-based consensus work that will lead us to decide what we should be doing regarding the use of cannabis in this country.”

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by Dr Samuel Adekola, urged participants to contribute constructively to the development of policies that would benefit both consumers and the nation.

The workshop highlighted the need for a balanced approach to cannabis, weighing its potential benefits against its risks. Prof Oye Gureje from the University of Ibadan noted that “cumulative evidence suggests that cannabis has some limited medical use, and widespread recreational use of the oil is likely to lead to an increased risk of psychosis.”

The ongoing discourse is expected to guide informed policy decisions on cannabis oil in Nigeria, according to a communiqué issued by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.