NDLEA Backs Cannabis Oil Export But Firmly Opposes Local Use
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has voiced support for the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil while maintaining its strong opposition to the substance’s consumption within Nigeria.
Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, stated the agency’s position during a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science, themed ‘Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria.’
Marwa welcomed the ongoing dialogue on cannabis oil but insisted that any decisions must be informed and free from commercial interests or “half-truths.” While acknowledging that cannabis oil “may have medicinal properties worth investigating,” he emphasized that it also carries significant health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety.
The NDLEA chief stressed that the agency is not against science or innovation but remains focused on protecting lives and public health. He highlighted the severe mental health effects linked to cannabis use, particularly among young people, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment. Marwa pointed out that Nigeria already faces a high burden of drug abuse, with a 14.4 percent substance abuse prevalence rate, significantly higher than the global average of 5.6 percent.
He also raised concerns about the lack of standardized production and regulation in many countries, which can lead to variable product potency and misuse outside medical supervision.
Despite the opposition to local use, Marwa affirmed that the NDLEA would support the controlled export of cannabis oil to countries that permit its therapeutic use. This support is conditional on the activity being strictly licensed and monitored within export free zones.
As part of efforts to address illicit drug cultivation, NDLEA launched the Alternative Development Project in 2023, an initiative aimed at reducing vulnerabilities like poverty and unemployment that often drive illicit drug economies.
The workshop’s host, Abubakar Sambo, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, concluded that the event’s goal was to establish an “evidence-based consensus” that would guide future decisions regarding the use of cannabis in Nigeria.
