Dare Babalola
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a clarification regarding recent comments made by its Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), on exporting cannabis oil.
Marwa revealed during a Nigerian Academy of Science workshop in Abuja on Wednesday that the agency is open to exporting cannabis oil to countries with legal demand for it, as long as Nigeria benefits from the foreign exchange earnings.
He, however, maintained the Agency’s opposition to local consumption, citing existing laws and the country’s high rate of drug abuse.
According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, on Thursday, Marwa’s comments were part of a diverse range of views expressed at the Nigerian Academy of Science’s Cannabis Oil Debate event.
Babafemi noted that the workshop discussions should not be interpreted as an endorsement or policy approval by the Federal Government, especially since the NDLEA itself commissioned the ongoing study on cannabis oil being conducted by the Nigerian Academy of Science.
“We can only be further guided on this matter by the final recommendations of NAS, which will eventually be submitted to the Federal Government as part of the inputs that will be used to develop an informed policy on the subject.
“This clarification is needed to avoid misrepresentations and suggestions that the Agency has approved cannabis oil export, a decision that can only be taken by the Federal Government after considering inputs from various stakeholders,” he said.
