Cannabis Cultivation Still Heinous Offence -NDLEA Boss

Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd.), says cultivation of cannabis remains a heinous offence under Nigeria’s Laws.
This was contained in a document issued yesterday at the end of the two-day National workshop on the implementation of 2019 Ministerial Declaration of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Abuja.
The document, which was signed by the head of public affairs of the NDLEA, Mr Jonah Achema, stated that the law prohibiting cannabis cultivation or dealing has not been repealed.
The Tide’s source reports that the workshop was a follow-up to the 2019 Ministerial Declaration of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in Vienna, in March.
The source also reports that at the last session on the CND, ministers of member states made affirmative declaration to strengthen actions at the National, regional and international levels to accelerate the implementation of joints commitment to address and counter the world drug problem.
“Contrary to reports, the agency has not granted license or approval to any person or corporate organisoation for the cultivation and production of medical cannabis oil and powder.
“The Agency will continue to exert its efforts to take all illicit Cannabis off the streets in the country.
“It is important to inform the public that as part of our efforts to reform drug control in the country, our operations are gradually shifting from reactive policing to intelligence led policing.
“We will not spare efforts in addressing existing barriers with regard to strengthening effective, comprehensive, scientific evidence-based demand reduction initiatives covering prevention, early intervention, treatment, care, recovery, rehabilitation and social reintegration measures on a non-discriminatory basis,” he said.
Abdallah, however, said that the World Drug Problem requires more dynamic and robust strategies and called for concerted efforts at all levels.