The move by Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to establish a legal marijuana industry in the ‘sunshine’ state may have hit the rocks even before his very own eyes, Igbere TV reports.

This is just as findings by Igbere TV on Saturday showed that Akeredolu is not likely to find a willing ally in the Federal Government over his pursuit.

Despite the collaboration being received from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the governor has been disowned by the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA), an appendage of the Presidency.

PACEDA, in a statement made available to Igbere TV on Saturday, stated that no amount of money could be worth the lives of those that would be affected should marijuana be legalised in the country, as being canvassed by Akeredolu and, by extension, the NDLEA.

The warning came four days after Governor Akeredolu advised the Federal Government to encourage the cultivation of medicinal cannabis, also known as Indian hemp, in the country.

The statement was signed by the PACEDA Chair, Mohammed Buba Marwa.

Marwa, a retired military top officer, noted that the timing was so inauspicious, considering that the government had been doing everything to eradicate drug abuse in the country.

“It is disturbing that at this time when about 10 million Nigerians are abusing cannabis, anyone or group will be considering or advocating for Nigeria to legalise the growing of marijuana for economic or whatever purposes.

“Our committee has spent the last six months going round the country to obtain firsthand information about the dangers of drug abuse and how to combat it and we have been faced with the stark reality of how deep the menace has damaged and still damaging lives, especially the youths.

“No doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari was worried about this emergency situation, hence the decision to set up PACEDA to find a lasting solution to the threat. We should not, therefore, fold our arms or keep sealed lips while deliberate attempts are being made to sabotage the genuine efforts of the Federal Government in the interest of the nation.

“We should not forget so soon how many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs were made prescription medicines when millions of our young minds and adults were abusing such. How can we then turn around to call for legalising growing of cannabis when the Federal Government is still in the process of curtailing and eliminating the same?

“We dare say that no economic gain is worth the life of any Nigerian daily damaged on the street as a result of the effect of cannabis. There is, therefore, the need for all stakeholders at the federal, state and local government levels to rally round the Federal Government’s efforts at eliminating the menace of drug abuse rather than engaging in any counterproductive venture,” the statement read.

Despite the widespread appeal of Akeredolu's position on social media, some critics have rebuked the governor.

Among those who criticized the governor include Senator Shehu Sani, the lawmaker representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly.

Sani, who took to Twitter via his handle @ShehuSani on Wednesday, May 15, wrote;

“My brother Akeredolu, Lagos partnered with Kebbi for rice, please partner with Niger for beans, Kaduna for ginger or partner with Benue for yam. Please leave this Indian Hemp matter for now, abeg.”

But Akeredolu is determined in his pursuit, despite several condemnation and backlash received in the last few days.

“The governor believes that the global legal marijuana industry is primed to be a jumbo in years ahead and Ondo State is trying to think ahead of time,” an aide of the governor, who did not want his name mentioned, told Igbere TV on Saturday.

Source: http://igberetvnews.com/690047/presidency-disowns-gov-akeredolu-over-planned-marijuana-business/

Nigeria will forever remain a uselessly hopeless poor country. Why arrest guys and tag them internet fraudsters . Poor guys. If not that Magu is a dunce

Ermmmm!

Non-sequitur oooo

Check topic again.

uselesscountry:
Nigeria will forever remain a uselessly hopeless poor country. Why arrest guys and tag them internet fraudsters . Poor guys. If not that Magu is a dunce

I encourage a marijuana cultivation that'll move from farm to the factory only for medicinal production purposes not for smocking.


Advance countries of the world are now extracting CBD oil from marijuana while expelling the THC aspect of it that makes people high.


If this is what akeredolu is canvassing for he should be supported.

"Ganja" is dangerous to the health

Yes

Make this a habit to make mods stop pushing nonsense news to the front page

Whenever you see such topics.
The only thing you will type is


WOW, COOL POST , THANKS FOR SHARING


They will sit up by force.

lool

Counter una selves

legendarymega:
Pls don't fall for the BET9JA guy,he is a scam
090-14-94-68-26. He wilp collect ur money, and bridge ur agreemen

at ur age u fell for such

There are a lot of legal stuff that can be made from marijuana

Also legalising marijuana= potential tax revenue that can be used for better things

Anyway, before you jump on me, I don't approve of the smoking of Marijuana. But at the same time, I know a god idea when I see one.

Lol failed move before it even starts.

Obviously , Ogbeni has started taking the Ondo weed himself.

uselesscountry:
Nigeria will forever remain a uselessly hopeless poor country. Why arrest guys and tag them internet fraudsters . Poor guys. If not that Magu is a dunce

you are still pained about the arrest abi...that means your relation was among those arrested or you are a YAHOO THIEF.. Because i don't see any correction between what u have said and the subject topic.

.

Even if you stopped akeredolu's vision of growing herbs for medicinal purpose, it'll never stop boys from smoking herbs

Herb is a blessing from Jah

Cannabis aint got nothing to do with crime

Criminals dont need cannabis to operate

Research countries like netherland, Canada and some states in America that legalize the plants, and check their crime rate.

To all smokers in the house, puff puff pASS

Peace ✌

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